Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee

A modern-day fairy tale set in a mysterious museum that is perfect for readers of Roald Dahl and Blue Balliett.

Unlikely heroine Ophelia Jane Worthington-Whittard doesn't believe in anything that can't be proven by science. She and her sister Alice are still grieving for their dead mother when their father takes a job in a strange museum in a city where it always snows. On her very first day in the museum Ophelia discovers a boy locked away in a long forgotten room. He is a prisoner of Her Majesty the Snow Queen. And he has been waiting for Ophelia's help.

As Ophelia embarks on an incredible journey to rescue the boy everything that she believes will be tested. Along the way she learns more and more about the boy's own remarkable journey to reach her and save the world.

A story within a story, this a modern day fairytale is about the power of friendship, courage and love, and never ever giving up.

 Hardcover, 233 pages

Published January 28th 2014 by Alfred A. Knopf 
copy provided by published via netgalley for honest review

****

  The strangest thing I have learned is that it's impossible to know what's inside someone.  The wizards didn't teach me this, but I have learned it myself.  Those who appear tall and straight and very good are sometimes rotten on the inside, and others, huge and clawed and apparently very bad, sometimes contain a pure and sweet form of goodness.  The biggest trap is to judge a person by their outer casing.  Their skin.  Their hair.  Their snow-white feathers.

What a charming book!  Ophelia is one not to sit still, exploring the museum she encounters 'marvelous boy'.  He doesn't have a name, because that was taken away from him years ago, and she makes this discovery by peeking in key holes of locked doors.  Her journey unfolds and is filled with quests, magical creatures and mysterious characters. 

Filled with non stop action this book flowed smoothly, paced perfectly and had enough action and adventure to keep me enchanted right to the end.  

The cover is striking, this would make for a classroom read together and also with the holidays coming up, a nice present for middle grade aged.

 KAREN FOXLEE is the author of two young adult novels, The Anatomy of Wings and The Midnight Dress. She lives in Gympie, Australia, with her daughter.

YOKO TANAKA has illustrated children's books by Kate DiCamillo, Sara Pennypacker, R.L. LaFevers, Laura Godwin, and Keith McGowan.