Summary: Rose has an embarrassing little speech impediment, switching around the beginnings of words. Sometimes she calls her home, New York City, "U Nork" instead. During a trip to Central Park with her father and brother (Oliver, from 2005's The King in the Window), she sees mysterious steps across the water, but no one believes her. Soon after, a "classmate," Louis, reveals to Rose that the steps are real and lead to U Nork, a flip-side New York City where, believe it or not, the pace is even faster and the people are ruder. Louis has been assigned to watch Rose, because she is special to the people of U Nork. Its citizens are in trouble, and it's Rose's face they've been seeing in the sky as the only one who can save them. The rip-roaring plot is laced with original and fantastical characters, who fully enjoy 30-second lunches shot into their mouths with cannons and use giant pigeons as a taxi service. Gopnik's writing is sharp and smart, and U Nork is an exciting place. Young readers will cheer for Rose and her friends with more than an occasional chuckle along the way. Bruce McCall's illustrations were unavailable at the time of review.
My thoughts: This book isn't published yet. I'll get a picture of the cover up as soon as it's available! This is a funny, weird, little fantasy. It definitely won't be for everyone, but I think a few of you will love it, especially if you're a fan of books like Gregor the Overlander!
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