Kay’s Korner: ‘Alistair Grim’s Odditorium’ by Gregory Funaro

Kay Brennan

By Kay Brennan. Hesperia Community Library Director.

Spring break is coming up. That means there is time for reading! Whether you’re in the car riding to South Carolina; in a plane flying to Phoenix; or just staying at home planning to have fun with friends, this is a book that will keep your attention.

It is written for 8-12 year olds and published by Disney/Hyperion, so you know it will be fun. Grubb, the main character, is a 12-year-old chimney sweep. He was taken in by Mr. and Mrs. Smears when he was an infant left on their doorstep. Mrs. Smears always said the yellow fairy left him just for her. Grubb was devoted to Mrs. Smears, but she died when he was 12 and Mr. Smears put him to work.

It was a very hard life until he stowed away in a trunk on a coach and ended up in Mr. Grim’s Odditorium. The Odditorium is a collection of magical oddities. Grubb’s life seems to have turned around until Prince Nightshade threatens the Odditorium and all the oddities in it. It is up to Grubb to help Mr. Grimm save them all.

Hesperia Community Library will be open during regular hours, Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. just in case you need to pick up a great book to read in a warm sunny spot.