East by Edith Pattou - ESSENTIAL

East by Edith Pattou, 507 pages.  Magic Carpet Books (Harcourt), 2005.  $9.  

Content: Language: PG (2 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.  

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS – ESSENTIAL  

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH  

Rose was born facing north and with that comes the desire to travel and wonder, and although her mother tries to deny Rose’s birth direction, eventually Rose is called north.  One night as Rose’s sister is sick, a white bear comes to the door of her poor family and promises health to the sick sister and wealth for the family, if they will let Rose go with the white bear.  Against her family’s wishes, Rose goes with the white bear and uncovers a world of magic and a deep friendship that she will sacrifice herself to save. 

This book hooked me from the beginning.  The writing made me feel like I was sitting around a fire and listening to a storyteller weave a story of magic, adventure and loyalty.  The story line reminded me of the Snow Queen and Beauty and the Beast, but it is original enough that I completely enjoyed it.  

Reviewer, C. Peterson