Estranged

Stolen at birth and replaced with a fae changeling, Edmund grows up as a human spectacle, called only the Childe, in the fae World Below. When he escapes a coup that leaves the only family he has ever known dead, he flees to the human world—the World Above—in hopes of finding his changeling, the one true heir to the fae throne. Accompanied by his only friend, Whick, a candlestick golem, the two locate the changeling, who has recently realized that he does not belong in the human world. To navigate a world of assassins and magic and determine who they really are, the two must learn to trust one another and somehow live in each other’s worlds. Newcomer Aldridge delivers a fun, daring, and dark take on the classic switched-at-birth narrative, with themes and art that fall into the realm of Neil Gaiman, Michael Ende, and Jim Henson. Coupled with the beautifully toned watercolor art, the interdependence of and tension between the two protagonists makes this book stand out. Ages 8–12. Agent: Stephen Barbara, Inkwell Management. [em](Aug.) [/em]