The Curse of the Wendigo

January 1, 2007
Gr 5 Up-Buck, 16, and his 10-year-old sister, Agate, set out to rescue their parents, who have disappeared into the 1898 Canadian wilderness. To make matters worse, they are pursued by the mysterious Wendigo, a mythical creature that feeds on human flesh. When they are aided by a group of Majictaw sworn to defeat the Wendigo and Coyote, the father of all evil, the siblings realize that their parents, and ultimately they themselves, are far more than they appear. This hi/lo book is brimming with engaging features: enticing cover art; an easy reading level; and a high-interest plot filled with curses, swordplay, and macabre adventures. Sketchy black-and-white illustrations add to the sinister mood. However, characterization takes a backseat to these features. The historical backdrop contributes little to the story and isn't mentioned past the initial chapters. In fact, the characters seem so modern that less savvy readers might miss the historical context altogether. Lots of end matter (discussion questions, writing prompts, and instructions for using Facthound) give the book an institutional look. While these elements may put off more advanced readers, reluctant readers will find it hard to resist "Wendigo"."H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FL"

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