"Come on. We can ask the person who lives
there if they've seen anything strange in the
woods.
Like a flying reindeer?
I was thinking we could start with something
a bit more vague.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK"
You may want to wait until the fall to purchase this Christmas adventure. Certainly, fans of middle grade graphic novels with be interested in reading about a young girl who is traveling with her father to a new home in Colorado. When her father is distracted by a flat tire and needs to change it, Virginia wanders into the nearby woods where she sees a reindeer and then watches it fly away, leaving behind a luminous compass.
Their move is precipitated by the death of her mother. The two going to live with Aunt Frances in hopes that it will the change they need. Virginia soon meets Benny who lives in the same apartment building and they spend time together. While they are together, Virginia shares what she saw in the woods with him, knowing he will keep her secret. As she might have hoped, Benny is quick to agree that they 'are in this together'. They will search for the reindeer.
Theirs is an adventure with magical moments that have many twists and turns, as the two find the reindeer, learn that is lost, and meet up with some helpful mall elves, members of the Continental Air Defense Center that tracks suspicious flying objects, and a hunter who is intent on capturing Donner. The two hope that they will find a way to get the reindeer back to Santa in time to help with his deliveries on Christmas Eve, when it's all hands on deck to get the night's work done.
The story pacing is fast, the artwork is appealing and full of action and expression, and the storyline easy to follow. There is danger and great excitement as the two deal with the difficulties inherent in a search for a magical being. There is comfort found in new friendships, and ultimate triumph in assuring a successful Christmas Eve run for Santa and all of his reindeer.
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