Maggie the Dread

When an “all-powerful, primordial goddess of darkness” escapes from centuries of enchanted imprisonment, the event kicks off a countdown to the end of the world in Gilkeson’s absurd, low-key debut. While stuck in detention, 12-year-old Sebastian Onizuka, who is white and Japanese, kicks a small black object that sits the back of his suburban Illinois classroom. The item turns out to be an ancient obelisk that, once tampered with, releases 12-year-old Maggie Weaver, the corporeal reincarnation of a Caledonian goddess destined to “shroud the universe in everlasting night.” Returned to the mortal realm after spending 16 centuries in suspended animation, Maggie reluctantly intends to fulfill her prophesied duty to devour the world during the next eclipse, which is six days away. The only way to stop her is to magically entrap her once again. As Sebastian searches for the long-lost sleeping spell, Maggie enrolls in his school, moves into his home, and attempts to adjust to the 21st century. Understated humor and tongue-in-cheek prose matter-of-factly present Maggie’s godly aura, with which other characters largely remain unimpressed: teachers are preoccupied with budget constraints, classmates view her uncanny powers as amusing party tricks, and Sebastian’s parents treat her like family. The result is a remarkably upbeat tale of connecting while trying to prevent apocalypse. Ages 8–12. Agent: Maria Vicente, P.S. Literary. (July)