THE WELLS BEQUEST
The Companion to The Grimm Legacy
Coming 06/13/13
ISBN-13: 978-0399256462
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, Pages: 270
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Leo never imagined that time travel might really be possible, or that the objects in H. G. Wells’ science fiction novels might actually exist. And when a miniature time machine appears in Leo’s bedroom, he has no idea who the tiny, beautiful girl is riding it. But in the few moments before it vanishes, returning to wherever—and whenever—it came from, he recognizes the other tiny rider: himself!
His search for the time machine, the girl, and his fate leads him to the New-York Circulating Material Repository, a magical library that lends out objects instead of books. Hidden away in the Repository basement is the Wells Bequest, a secret collection of powerful objects straight out of classic science fiction novels: robots, rockets, submarines, a shrink ray—and one very famous time machine. And when Leo’s adventure of a lifetime suddenly turns deadly, he must attempt a journey to 1895 to warn real-life scientist Nikola Tesla about a dangerous invention. A race for time is on!
In this grand time-travel adventure full of paradoxes and humor, Polly Shulman gives readers a taste of how fascinating science can be, deftly blending classic science fiction elements with the contemporary fantasy world readers fell in love with in The Grimm Legacy.
His search for the time machine, the girl, and his fate leads him to the New-York Circulating Material Repository, a magical library that lends out objects instead of books. Hidden away in the Repository basement is the Wells Bequest, a secret collection of powerful objects straight out of classic science fiction novels: robots, rockets, submarines, a shrink ray—and one very famous time machine. And when Leo’s adventure of a lifetime suddenly turns deadly, he must attempt a journey to 1895 to warn real-life scientist Nikola Tesla about a dangerous invention. A race for time is on!
In this grand time-travel adventure full of paradoxes and humor, Polly Shulman gives readers a taste of how fascinating science can be, deftly blending classic science fiction elements with the contemporary fantasy world readers fell in love with in The Grimm Legacy.
Exciting, enchanting, and cool. The Grimm Legacy was one of my favorite books of 2010 for it's pure fangirl and fantasy elements and storyweaving. I wish the New-York Circulating Material Repository existed, I would do anything to work there. The Wells Bequest is a complete surprise and bonus for me, in 2010 I attended ALA Midwinter and spoke with a representative of The Grimm Legacy's publishing house, I was told that the GL was going to be a standalone novel. And in a way it is, since the WB follows new characters, but I sure am glad it was even written! My only concern is that it is listed as Middle Grade (as was the Grimm Legacy), and from the excerpt, the main characters seem young. GL protagonists were high school aged, and their interpersonal relationships reflected that. I believe in Schulman's storytelling, so I won't gripe beyond that, but I do regret the age of the Wells Bequest characters. I hope we get a peek at some of the previous cast, but my liking of the book is not beholden to that wish. If you've yet to try out The Grimm Legacy, please try checking it out at your local library- if you still have one!
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| Paperback edition |
by Polly Schulman
ISBN-13: 978-0142419045
Publisher: Putnam
Pages: 336
Find it one Amazon, B&N, Goodreads
Read an excerpt
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What if fairy tale magic really existed?
Lonely at her new school, Elizabeth takes a job at the New York Circulating Material Repository, hoping to make new friends as well as pocket money. The Repository is no ordinary library. It lends out objects rather than books—everything from tea sets and hockey sticks to Marie Antoinette’s everyday wig.
It’s also home to the Grimm Collection, a secret room in the basement. That’s where the librarians lock away powerful items straight out of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales: seven-league boots, a table that produces a feast at the blink of an eye, Snow White’s stepmother’s sinister mirror that talks in riddles and has a will of its own.
But the magic mirrors and seven-league boots and other items are starting to disappear. And before she knows it, she and her fellow pages - handsome Marc, perfect Anjali, and brooding Aaron - embark on a dangerous quest to catch the thief before they’re accused of the crime themselves—or the thief captures them.
Polly Shulman has created a contemporary fantasy with a fascinating setting and premise, starring an ordinary girl whose after-school job is far from ordinary— and leads to a world of excitement, romance and magical intrigue.
