By C.E. Moore
GENRE: YA FICTION
PUBLISHER: DAVID C. COOK
PUBLICATION DATE: OCTOBER 2009
Mike Mason’s The Blue Umbrella is a delightful tale that I think young adult readers will enjoy greatly. In the tradition of such beloved tales as Lemony Snicket and The Chronicles of Narnia, the story of Zac Sparks is fun, engaging, and magical. Even as an adult reader, it was great to get lost in the pages of this wonderful story.
This story is about Zac Sparks, who’s mother has recently passed and he is sent to live at Five Corners with his aunts. Ever had a mean relative? These ladies will make them look like saints. And it might have something to do with where they are. Five Corners isn’t exactly normal. The people Zac meets are as odd as they come—a mute girl, a midget (which is always funny), a blind balloon seller, and other mysterious folk.
Then, there’s his terrifying experience with his great uncle Dada, who turns out to be an evil magician.
Enter Sky Porter. Sky runs the nearby general store and takes an immediate liking to the mistreated boy. The feeling is mutual. But, Sky isn’t exactly as he appears. There’s something a bit ominous about the man that Zac can’t quite put a finger on. This leads to some unexpected tension. But, with Dada’s nefarious plans waiting to unfold, Zac must get past his doubts and learn to trust Sky if he hopes to stop Dada from stealing the ultimate treasure.
Here’s the thing. If you’re expecting “powerful literature,” then you’re going to need to look elsewhere. I don’t think Mason is concerned with becoming the next Hemingway. What he has crafted here is a simple story that will let kids be kids and wonder about the possibility of magic and “what’s going on behind everything.” I don’t read a lot of young adult fiction, but I really enjoyed myself with this one.
