Attica

Kilworth, Gary. Attica. London : Atom, 2007.

Plot: After meeting their somewhat grouchy neighbor, Mr. Grantham, three step-siblings enter the house's attic to reclaim a watch he threw away in a fit of passion. Jordy, Alex, and Chloe soon learn that their attic fills more than the space between the ceiling and the roof, though. The strange, encased world of forgotten treasures, abused knicknacks, and lost souls quickly enthralls and captivates the trio. A mission of a few hours quickly becomes a quest of multiple days. While finding the watch remains their priority, they soon discover adventure, danger, and temptation within the country of the attic and its citizens. Strangely, the below world becomes very easily forgotten, especially by the curious and quiet Alex.

Genre: Fantasy, Coming of Age, Grief, Adventure

Reading Level: Grades 3-8; however, more sensitive readers should be cautioned due to the violence and intensity of danger presented in the novel.

Similar Titles: The Harry Potter series

Personal Thoughts: Harry Potter meets Finding Nemo. While the general setting, tone, and characters remind readers of a world of a certain teenage wizard, the plot follows the character development and plot of the Pixar film. Surprisingly, the combination works fairly well. The changes within the protagonists appear natural and understandable without becoming overly preachy. However, the mix is not perfect. Some of the characters, particularly Jordy, appear stinted in development, particularly in light of the additional adventures given to Chloe and Alex. Still, for readers fond of gradual development and growth, the novel provides a worthy read.