Book Nook: The Amber Amulet

I was recently sent The Amber Amulet by Craig Silvey for review. This was a unique book - in plot and also in format and style. Twelve-year-old Liam has secret powers - powers even he doesn't quite understand. He patrols the neighborhood, saving people from such dangers as evil - and under-inflated tires. When he discovers a damsel in distress because of her sadness, he decides to intervene, but finds out that his solution created more trouble when he passes on an amber amulet, thinking its powers will help - and then discovers that it was his mother's treasure.

In the end, things work out. He learns valuable lessons about helping, honesty, and unlikely friendships. The format of the book feels like a case file, and has a nostalgic, 50s-era look to many of the illustrations. It's a book that could appeal to reluctant readers who want a story with intriguing characters but that is also a quick read. It will also be fun for anyone who dreams of being a superhero, bringing the idea of heroism home to something manageable for even kids to do.