The Boy, the Cloud and the Very Tall Tale

August 1, 2023
A boy must thwart a dreadful scheme to separate people from their memories. Eleven-year-old Ewan's grief is so contained that he hasn't cried in years despite losing both of his parents. His mother, who built the house they had lived in, died when he was 7; his father disappeared when Ewan was 9. Resolved to find his father--who was taken away by a cloud according to Grumple, the grandfather Ewan and his sister now live with--Ewan sets out on a journey up the Newfoundland coast to the place his father spent childhood summers. He's joined by his irrepressible 7-year-old sister, Flora, and Mr. So-and-So, an unusual purveyor of notions who wields unpredictable magic. Smith deftly avoids being twee, employing rich, alliterative language and contrasting amusing fantasy elements with Ewan's stolidity. That he carries a burden of grief and sorrow that he can't easily release comes across in subtle details. The characters all read white; the post-World War I setting of fishing villages and farms is revealed in small details about clothing, transportation, and songs. Just as Ewan finds insights into his sadness, he is confronted by the discovery that darker forces are at work. The story is reminiscent of Richard Kennedy and Kate DiCamillo in its mixture of strong, somewhat eccentric fantasy elements and confrontation of sorrow. Complex and memorable. (Fantasy. 9-13)

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September 1, 2023

Gr 4-7-It is 1924, and 11-year-old Ewan lives in a fishing village in Newfoundland with his seven-year-old sister, Flora, and Grumple, their grandfather. Ewan is grief-stricken after losing both of his parents. His mother died four years ago, and his heartbroken father disappeared two years later, but Ewan doesn't believe Grumple's explanation-that his father flew away on a cloud. Ewan sets off on a journey up the coast in search of his wayward father, taking along his grumpy cat Kipper, Flora, and Mr. So-and-So, purveyor of notions. While Flora abides by their father's words of wisdom-all you need is a little know-how and whole lot of nerve-fearful Ewan is short on both. Mr. So-and-So possesses unpredictable magic and nonsensical notions, plus an alliterative smorgasbord of language. When the group, along with friendly carrier pigeon Grace, unearth the dastardly plan to steal sadness by leaving victims in a perpetual brain fog, they must find a way to rescue the stolen memories of all those affected. Fantastical details-Mr. So-and-So's left trouser pocket never empties, a singing fish-bring some levity to the story's darker elements. The post-World War I setting is revealed throughout with song and transportation references, such as the "Hurricle," their horse-drawn carriage. VERDICT With a mixture of fantasy and mystery, touches of humor, and heartwarming love, Smith has woven themes of strength and resilience into a powerful story that will stay with readers.-Michele Shaw

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Starred review from August 1, 2023
Grades 4-7 *Starred Review* A few days ago, Ewan was safe--if somewhat sad--inside his grandfather's house, looking after his spitfire little sister, Flora, and waiting for their cloud-riding father to return. Now, he and Flora are on an unexpected quest to retrieve their father in a car-turned-boat, accompanied by an emotionally unavailable cat, a shell-shocked pigeon, and the puzzling Mr. So-and-So, whose malapropisms and bizarre behavior disguise a surprisingly insightful soul. Wonderfully whimsical and positively poignant, Ewan's journey to find his father and his own strength propels him across a colorful 1920s Newfoundland landscape populated with imaginative characters. Ewan is an uncommonly nurturing and thoughtful protagonist, qualities shown through his loving relationship with Flora. The responsibility he feels after their mother's death and father's disappearance is challenged by Mr. So-and-So's magical, haphazard approach to solving problems (he claims to be "10 percent magic and 90 percent guts"), and their reluctant friendship is a highlight of the story. Supported by the people (and animals) around him, Ewan gradually embraces sorrow and discovers the quiet joy waiting on the other side of grief. The book compassionately explores how grief affects children and adults alike and how to forgive the perfectly imperfect people who love us. Acclaimed author Smith delivers a rollicking, dreamlike adventure full of humor and healing. This book is at least 10 percent magic.

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