The Ship of Stolen Words

Wilde (Riverland) explores the meaning of words, intent, and sincerity in a quickly paced portal fantasy that's both imaginative and thoughtful. When a chance encounter with a word-stealing goblin renders 11-and-a-half-year-old Sam Culver, cued as white, incapable of apologizing, he begins to understand language's power. While he's always used "sorry" as an insincere get-out-of-trouble card, he finds himself in hot water when he can't say it for real to his best friend, brown-skinned Mason, after hurting her feelings at school. His attempts to recover the missing phrase lead him through a portal into the marshlands, where carelessly used and misplaced words mined from Earth are used for myriad purposes, including technological advancement and industrialization. Now Sam must work with Tolver, the goblin who took his regrets, to stop a ruthless cabal of word prospectors before they swipe every empty utterance from his home. Sam's attempts to repair his friendship with Mason, bond with five-year-old sister Bella, and learn to trust Tolver emphasize friends and family, while Wilde's depiction of the marshlands' struggle with ethical sustainability presents a fascinating setting worth further development. A great tale for any word-loving adventure seeker. Ages 8-12. Agent: Andrea Somberg, Harvey Klinger Literary. (June)

Gr 3-7--When Tolver and his Nana, two goblins traveling to the human world on a shapeshifting white pig, steal an important word from Sam on the last day of fifth grade, it triggers a fantastical chain of events that threaten both human and goblin existence. Sam quickly learns how difficult life can be if you aren't able to say "sorry," and Tolver, whose family steals misused words for the magical hot air that powers the goblin world, learns that magic is more complicated than he could have imagined. This novel offers rich world-building; a wide cast of well-realized characters, both human and goblin; and all the piracy, mechanical flying pigs, and elaborate goblin traps a reader could hope for. While the book's length and meandering plot may deter some readers, those who stay with it will be rewarded with a fun fantasy adventure that demonstrates the power of our words. Most characters are white or their ethnicities are not described; names cue minor characters' diverse ethnicities. VERDICT This book is an excellent purchase that will circulate widely with fans of middle grade portal fantasies like Jessica Townsend's "Nevermoor" and Brandon Mull's "Fablehaven" series.--Molly Saunders, Manatee County P.L., Bradenton, FL