Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu

                

               Breadcrumbs is a story about a young girl who goes on a life-risking journey just to save her best friend. Hazel and Jack are two best friends and fifth graders at Lovelace elementary. While most kids their age are playing sports and other activities, Hazel and Jack are pretending to be medieval knights or playing made up games such as superhero baseball. The main character and narrator of the story, Hazel, does not fit in with other kids in her class and has an “overactive imagination.” She loves to daydream about dragons and witches, and is often in trouble with her teacher for not paying attention during class. During the story, however, the one person who truly understands her changes into someone Hazel doesn’t recognize anymore. He doesn’t go through a physical transformation, but when a shard of glass fallen out of the sky from an enchanted mirror lands in Jack’s eye, he becomes a whole new person inside. Jack stops hanging out with Hazel and starts hanging out with his male friends. Shortly after Jack’s sudden transformation, he unexpectedly goes on a trip to visit his “Aunt Bernice.” But when Jack’s friend Tyler tells Hazel that he witnessed Jack entering the forest with some sort of witch on a sleigh, Hazel knows something terrible has happened to Jack. She must enter the snowy woods in her Minnesota backyard and go on a dangerous mission to save her friend. Throughout the journey Hazel runs into some frightening encounters, magical creatures, and even learns a bit about herself along the way.

                Reading this book has really taught me a valuable lesson… not to judge a book by it’s cover, literally. After skimming the contents and checking this book out at the library, I was eager to begin reading. Shortly after, I’ll admit, I found myself falling asleep.  Halfway through the book, however, the pace did seem to pick up and I started to become more engaged. Parts of her journey through the woods were riveting and brought my excitement level up, but I still thought that for the most part I would rather be reading something more attention grabbing. Towards the end, I found myself beginning to become more fascinated with the story.  The message behind the story was strong and important. Friendship is something of great value, and is something worth fighting for. I respected how Hazel would never give up on Jack, even when it seemed that all hope was lost.               

              I recommend this book to people within the ages of 8 and 11, but maybe not those who are in 7th and 8th grade or up.  I say this because it would make sense that a book about fifth graders would be written for children around the age of fifth grade.  The story is completely appropriate and I don’t see any reason why parents should disapprove of it. 

 Reviewed by Maddie