by Category
by Year
2008
AML Award:
Youth Literature
Presented to:
Brandon Mull
For:
Fablehaven: The Grip of the Shadow Plague
Does anyone out there not know Kendra Sorenson and her intrepid little brother Seth? Fablehaven, where their grandparents are caretakers, is filled with secrets to be discovered and mysteries to be solved. But Fablehaven is also more than that. While we delight in the antics of Newel and Doren,are frightened by powerful spells and terrifying creatures, are entranced by the infinite beauty of the fairies, Fablehaven also engages us at other enchanting levels. The main characters are richly drawn. Each possesses core strengths and weaknesses that we explore as we follow them into danger. Brandon Mull allows this depth of character to emerge as Seth and Kendra must make life-threateningly difficult decisions about themselves and others. The discovery of who these two children really can become lies at the heart of the stories. Grip of the Shadow Plague brings them, and us, closer to genuine evil—someone who pretends to want to protect us, all the while seeking the proper place and moment to seal our destruction. Death seems always just a breath away. Nevertheless, Kendra’s capacity to love and heal continues to grow. Seth cannot always control his impulsiveness, but he does discover things on his illicit journeys that seem to save the day. Finally, Fablehaven is about agency and accountability, love and family, progress and becoming, the battle between good and evil. We can hardly wait for the next volume. The Association for Mormon Letters is pleased to present an award in youth fiction to Brandon Mull for Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague, published by Shadow Mountain.