Tumble & Blue

Tumble & Blue
Cassie Beasley
Dial/Penguin 390 pages
Grades 3-6
Fantasy

Three points of view narrate this folksie tale filled with legend, magic, family, and unexpected friendships. Two hundred years ago under a red sickle moon two fugitives encounter a magical alligator named Munch. Munch is able to change the fate of one person every red sickle moon, which is a very rare occurrence. Since both seekers met him at the same time, they split the blessing, making it go haywire. For two hundred years the descendants of Almira LaFayette and Walcott Montgomery have had quirky gifts with mixed blessings. Fast forward to the present: the red sickle moon is expected to return and the Montgomery family is gathering en masse to the small Georgia town where the family homestead lies and is close to the swamp where Munch resides. The only person holding the key to finding Munch is elderly monarch Ma Myrtle and she is enjoying the royal treatment bestowed on her by desperate family members. Blue has been dumped at the family homestead by his race car driving father, who has the gift of never losing. Blue has the contrasting fate of always losing and he is anxious to have his curse reversed. He meets a new friend, who has also recently relocated to the small town, named Tumble. Tumble longs to be a hero and save the day. Unfortunately, her family connection to the LaFayettes leaves her cursed to always be in need saving. The two new friends work together to figure out a plan to reverse Munch's curse on their families. Only how will they gain Ma Myrtles favor and beat out the competing family members? And what will they say to the bewitched alligator once they find him? Are they resourceful and brave enough to see the plan through to a satisfying conclusion? Read Tumble & Blue to find out!

I loved Cassie Beasley's Circus Mirandus. This sophomore effort is equally good, yet different. Both books share a magical element, yet Tumble & Blue proves to be a bit more approachable and down-to-earth. It is reminiscent of another favorite of mine Savvy by Ingrid Law in that kids are learning to wield supernatural gifts in a believable contemporary way. The rural southern setting and folkloric quality to the story add to the overall atmosphere and invite the reader to fall into this world where a talking Alligator can change our fate, if we are only brave and bright enough to find him. The alternating points of view are done well and are easy to distinguish. Munch's side of the story is framed by a black swamp design in order to set it apart and the narration helps suspend  belief that this really is an ageless magical alligator. Offering both a male and female protagonist make this book a great choice for both boys and girls and it would be a terrific read-aloud in both the home and the classroom. Beasley includes many interesting minor characters. They are all distinct and I felt as if I knew them personally, which helped me keep everyone straight in my head. Many themes are explored within the pages of this novel including what makes a real hero, finding your inner-courage, forgiveness, changing your destiny, and family is what you chose it to be. Some of the adults in the novel are flawed, yet others really come through for our two friends. In the end, they have both grown and learned to accept certain parts of their lives that they were fighting against and have become stronger for it. Because of the beautiful writing, character development, fully realized setting, and original plot, I think this is a real Newbery contender and will be enjoyed by readers for years to come.