New Book: The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman is officially released tomorrow.  If your family is a fan of Warehouse 13, this is probably a sure fit for reading fun.  And, yes, there are plenty of "mythical object repository" stories, tv shows and films around, but Warehouse 13 is currently one of the most visible so I'm referencing it.

Book description from publisher:

Elizabeth has a new job at an unusual library— a lending library of objects, not books. In a secret room in the basement lies the Grimm Collection. That’s where the librarians lock away powerful items straight out of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales: seven-league boots, a table that produces a feast at the blink of an eye, Snow White’s stepmother’s sinister mirror that talks in riddles.

When the magical objects start to disappear, Elizabeth embarks on a dangerous quest to catch the thief before she can be accused of the crime—or captured by the thief.

Polly Shulman has created a contemporary fantasy with a fascinating setting and premise, starring an ordinary girl whose after-school job is far from ordinary— and leads to a world of excitement, romance and magical intrigue.

Review from Booklist:

Is there a better antidote to a lonely teen existence than a dose of fairy-tale magic? Elizabeth has yet to make friends at her tony Manhattan private school, and she feels equally alone at home with her remote father and taskmaster stepmother. Then Elizabeth's teacher recommends her for a job at the New York Circulating Material Repository, and as Elizabeth befriends the other pages, she begins to learn that fairy tales aren't just fantasy and that many of the special collections' artifacts belong to her favorite childhood stories, including the magic mirror from Snow White. Just as Elizabeth learns about the repository's impossible wonders, some of the most powerful objects, and then some of the pages, disappear, and she finds herself leading the dangerous rescue. Captivating magic fills the pages of this exciting new novel from the author of Enthusiasm (2006). The story occasionally loses momentum, but action fans will find plenty of heart-pounding, fantastical escapades as the novel builds to its satisfying, romantic conclusion. A richly imagined adventure with easy appeal for Harry Potter fans.

And for your viewing pleasure, here's the book trailer:



You can also read the first chapter on Shulman's website and read more review excerpts there--School Library Journal gave it a starred review.

I enjoyed Shulman's previous book, Enthusiasm, which is a different genre and audience age from this one--it's a Jane Austen salute which is why I read it.  So I know her work is entertaining and am definitely adding this one to the future reading list...