THE DIVIDE

Kay's "stranger in a strange land" tale takes some time to get moving; the first 50 pages or so introduce the terminology and the workings of this Faerie land. But once the ball gets rolling, the story is inviting. Thirteen-year-old Felix's weak heart threatens to prematurely end his life. While on vacation with his parents, he falls into the ocean at the Continental Divide, the point where the Atlantic meets the Pacific, and wakes up in a world of pointed-eared elves, unicorns and talking griffins—and where humans and dogs are mythical. Felix befriends Betony, a "tangle-child" who, in an early scene, discovers a wounded unicorn. The unicorn gives her a cryptic message before dying. As Betony sets out to fulfill the unicorn's wish, Felix strives to find a cure for his illness as well as a way home. They encounter dozens of odd creatures and settings, and the pace quickens when evil Snakeweed attempts to track down the teen, in order to "use Felix for his own ends"—to enter the human world. Readers may find this either a sprawling work of imagination or a kitchen-sink concoction; both the story and language seem at times unnecessarily convoluted. The tale ends, however, with a nicely constructed cliff-hanger, leaving those who enjoyed this odd journey hungry for the next. A paper-over-board package with a cover that splits down the middle adds to the book's allure. Ages 9-12. (July)