Leeva at Last

Thoughtful Leeva Thornblossom, who's "somewhere between eight and nine," lives a life of servitude to her dreadful parents. Leeva desires to attend school, but her fame-absorbed mother, the town's mayor, and her money-obsessed father, its treasurer, forbid her from going, an act that proves the last straw. Though Leeva, raised on soap operas and periodical Nutsmore Weekly, is seldom allowed to leave her home, she sets out each day, seeking to answer the question "What are people for?" She first visits the Nutsmore library next door, where a kindly librarian and her nephew introduce the girl to the astonishing worlds of literature, friendship, and freshly baked cookies. When an opportunity to meet more new people arises, Leeva jumps at it, soon encountering hazmat-suit-wearing, risk-averse Osmund and good-natured, familially obligated Fern. Learning that her greedy parents are responsible for many of Nutsmore's financial struggles, Leeva resolves to keep her identity a secret while attempting to set things right. Strongly recalling elements of Roald Dahl's Matilda, this archly narrated satire from Pennypacker (Here in the Real World) slyly integrates potent themes such as fairness, responsibility, and trust. Characters default to white. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. Author's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary. (Mar.)

Splendid fun.