Goblin Market by Diane Zahler
Reviewed by: Chelsea Bunton, Youth Services Assistant
Genre: Fantasy
Suggested Age: Middle School (5th-8th)
What is this book about? Lizzie and Minka are two sisters who are incredibly different from each other. While Minka is beautiful, social, and outgoing – Lizzie is quiet and introverted. Because of their differences, duties assigned to them at home vary: Lizzie helps in the garden and fields with her father, while Minka goes to the town market every Friday to sell their stock of vegetables and bread. It is on one of these trips to town that Minka meets a very interesting boy who she becomes quickly enamored with. But her sister Lizzie is very suspicious of this new acquaintance and his wonderous fruits- especially when Minka suddenly falls ill and begins to lose her hair after eating some. Lizzie is determined to discover the truth of this boy and just why her sister has become so sickly, yet still devoted to the creepy and questionable “Emil.”
My review: This book was a fun, spooky read. The setting and tone of the story is what really drew me in. I love the feel of a fairy tale, and the setting of this book in a historical Slavic era helped solidify that sense of a Grimm-like myth. The characters were round and realistic, and I was supportive of their mission as Lizzie tried so desperately to overcome her introverted tendencies for the good of her sister. Though the tone is slightly dark, the content of this story doesn’t go too far for children – it is an appropriate introduction to dark fantasy for middle grade readers who aren’t ready for something too scary. It also serves as a good reminder to be wary of strangers, no matter how alluring they may seem or how delicious their fruit!
Three words that describe this book: Creepy, Mysterious, Fantastical
Give this a try if you like… Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales by Soman Chainani, Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola, The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black
Rating (out of 5): 3/5
