The Lumbering Giants of Windy Pines

Grit and compassion bolster this exhilarating folkloric adventure by debut author Netz. After a period of upheaval following the death of her father, disabled 11-year-old Jerry Blum and her mother settle at the Slumbering Giant Motel in rural Georgia. There, Jerry’s mother begins a new job while Jerry acclimates herself to the relatively wheelchair-friendly environment. Bored and lonely, Jerry grows suspicious of her mother’s mysterious new gig, which sends her into the nearby woods where loggers have recently disappeared. Accompanied by her imaginary Yiddish-speaking dragon friend Paul, Jerry embarks on an investigation. Much of this bewitching story hinges on the formidable nerve and charisma of the Jewish, olive-skinned protagonist, whose adventure takes on a positive spin after she befriends Chapel Bell, a Black sixth grader living in the motel with her family following a house fire. The two girls bond over being treated differently and, after Jerry’s mother vanishes, find themselves lost in the woods and vulnerable to the shadowy creatures that dwell there. Using vivid supernatural phenomena to facilitate deep human connection, Netz crafts a succinct tale with memorable characters, a fearsome mythology, and dark charm. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)