by Sayantani Dasgupta
Illustrated by Sandara Tang
Scholastic Press
2023
240 pages
ISBN: 9781339006086
Available July 19, 2023
Twins Kiya and Kinjal are ordinary ten-year olds who live in New Jersey with their parents and their dog Thums-Up. That is until searching for answers in their dark and creepy basement, they open an old book their father stores in a locked trunk. Once the book is opened, the adventure begins.
A loud noise in their yard causes them to race upstairs and throw open the door. Thums-Up runs outside and is grabbed up by a giant cloud-like blob. The kids are afraid of the menacing blob, but when it disappears with their dog, the twins must save their pet.
Next thing they know two giant flying horses are pawing the lawn and waiting for the kids to come along with them. On their wonderful (yet terrifying) ride through the stars, the horses reveal that the kids are going with them not only to find their dog but to meet the Princess and help their kingdom. The pair are uneasy and gobsmacked to think that they, mere ten-year old humans, have anything to do with this magical kingdom and trying to save it. The horses say the Princess will tell them when they meet her.
It seems their parents may be much, much more than they seem and their dog, Thums-Up may not be just an ordinary family pet. Kinjal begins to believe in the magic because he's seen Thums-Up do undog-like behaviors before and he knows what he saw. He tries to get his sister to believe their dog has wings, but science-based Kiya finds it hard to believe.
Once they meet Princess Pakkhiraj, she tells them her kingdom is dying. The bees are dying causing plants and trees to die. The kids must figure out why the kingdom is dying and fix it or unfathomable harm will come not only to the kingdom but also to New Jersey.
The quest is on! With the help of Raat and Snowy (the horses) and Thums-Up who is reunited with them, they set off with magical feathers and heads full of doubt.
A solid beginning to a promising series, The Chaos Monster will enthrall and entertain middle grade readers who love adventure and fantasy. Cover art and illustrations by Sandara Tang and Elizabeth Parisi by will have this book flying off the shelves of bookstores everywhere and libraries will need to stock several copies because readers will demand this title.
Highly, highly recommended grade 4 and up. Strong emphasis on the welfare of our ecosystem and a lovely, lovely theme is revealed near the end.
This sounds like a great fantasy story. I love the environmental focus.
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