cover image The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB

The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable FIB

Adam Shaughnessy. Algonquin Young Readers, $16.95 (272p) ISBN 978-1-61620-498-3

Eleven-year-old Pru wants to be a detective like her father, who was a member of their small-town police force before he was killed. When a mysterious postcard appears under Pru’s bedroom door asking “What is the unbelievable FIB?” she is ready to find out. Joined by new boy Abe, Pru is also curious about the strange weather in town and the unusual man she meets during a field trip to a local mansion that houses a museum of Viking artifacts. After a frost giant chases the two children through a graveyard, they are swept up into a magical quest. Debut author Shaughnessy skillfully weaves Norse myth, the story of Baba Yaga, and Pru’s pain over her father’s death into an action-packed story full of heart. Pru is relatable and real as she learns to trust people again, not to mention brave as she confronts ancient villains. It’s a moving exploration of the ways people can close themselves off to magic in the world, as well as face grief scarier than any frost giant. Ages 8–12. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (Sept.)