Publisher Description

They say Dor's family is cursed. The house her great-great grandfather built on the south side of St. John's has never been at peace; the old people think it lies on a fairy path. Ever since electricity came to the island, things have worsened, and experiments in the brand-new technology of radio put her family in real peril. In December 1901, Marconi arrives in Newfoundland with a secret mission: to receive the first wireless trans-Atlantic radio signal. Disguised as a boy, Dor joins his team. Then the Little Strangers kidnap her mother. Must Dor sabotage Marconi's experiments to save her?

Review

"Yet, anchored by the sweet love story of Clare and Dor, the dreamily atmospheric descriptions of the historical setting, and the appealing characters--including an otherworldly Reverend and his talking crow, Oberon--there is plenty to spur readers on. ... A sprawling, lyrical historical fantasy."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Promotional

Urchin is a rollicking non-binary flight merging historical fiction and fantasy.

Long Description

They say Dor's family is cursed. The house her great-great grandfather built on the Southside of St. John's has never been at peace; the old people think it lies on a fairy path. Ever since electricity came to the island, things have worsened, and experiments in the brand-new technology of radio put her family in real peril. In December 1901, Marconi arrives in Newfoundland with a secret mission: to receive the first wireless trans-Atlantic radio signal. Disguised as a boy, Dor joins his team. Then the "Little Strangers" kidnap her mother. Must Dor sabotage Marconi's experiments to save her?

Review Quote

"Yet, anchored by the sweet love story of Clare and Dor, the dreamily atmospheric descriptions of the historical setting, and the appealing characters--including an otherworldly Reverend and his talking crow, Oberon--there is plenty to spur readers on. ... A sprawling, lyrical historical fantasy."

Promotional "Headline"

Urchin is a rollicking non-binary flight merging historical fiction and fantasy.

Description for Sales People

Key Selling Points Beautifully wrought fusion of historical fiction, folklore, coming-of-age and gender fluidity that is rooted in a unique moment of Newfoundland and 20th-century history. Thoughtful portrait of a young girl who questions her gender identity and the personal and familial challenges such questioning brings (the manuscript has undergone a sensitivity reading by a transgender reader). Fascinating exploration of the rich tradition of Newfoundland fairylore. Rich and resonant poetic language: the author's father was one of the editors of the Dictionary of Newfoundland English, and the fascination with and delight in language that the author shares with him permeates the book. The story will work well as a crossover for adult readers of literary fantasy; the author has written for both adults and young adults in the past.

Details