The Dyerville Tales

Kozlowsky (Juniper Berry) interweaves two narratives in this curious and elliptical story: that of Vince Elgin, who has taken refuge in storytelling after being orphaned in a house fire, and a book compiled from tales dictated by his grandfather. When Vince's grandfather dies, and his book is delivered to Vince, the boy escapes the orphanage and travels to his grandfather's funeral, encountering would-be saviors and a trio of frightening villains. Vince's adventures and his grandfather's seemingly autobiographical fairy tales%E2%80%94which are populated with a Baba Yaga%E2%80%93like witch, a deranged giant, and a talking horse%E2%80%94are intended to intersect. The result sometimes dovetails nicely and sometimes clashes, resulting in an uneven narrative. Kozlowsky's skill lies in finding the darkness at the center of the tales people weave to make sense of the world, though the result is a pervading melancholy. Vince's tale ends on an odd note as he finds (or imagines he finds) an artifact from his grandfather's stories, which could be either hopeful or tragic according to the path the reader has taken through the eponymous Tales. Ages 8%E2%80%9312. Author's agent: Victoria Marini, Gelfman Schneider Literary. (Apr.)