Impossible Creatures
Katherine Rundell
Readers rate it 4.1 (63 on Hardcover)
369 pages · Released Sep 10, 2024 · Knopf Books for Young Readers
Content report card
What's inside
Violence
Fighting, weapons, death
Language
Swearing, crude humor
Sexual content
Romance intensity, nudity
LGBTQ+ themes
Presence of characters or themes
Scary or mature
Horror, trauma, heavy themes
Substance use
Alcohol, drugs, smoking
What it offers
Positive messages
Kindness, courage, honesty, resilience
Positive role models
Characters who model good judgment and growth
Educational value
History, science, culture, how the world works
A note for parents
Impossible Creatures is a celebrated middle-grade fantasy adventure featuring magical creatures, exploration, and a high-stakes quest to save a magical world. Violence is present but mild (battles with mythical creatures like kraken, nothing graphic), and scary moments are adventure-driven rather than horror-focused. The story emphasizes teamwork, courage, environmental themes, and the importance of ordinary kids making extraordinary differences, with strong character development and diverse characters. The 60+ illustrations and beautiful production design enhance its appeal for middle graders aged 8-14.
Analyzed by AI · 18 hours ago
From the publisher
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Two kids race to save the world’s last magical place in the first book of a landmark new fantasy series, from “a writer with an utterly distinctive voice and a wild imagination.” (Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass) *This spectacular book features foil and embossing on the jacke... #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Two kids race to save the world’s last magical place in the first book of a landmark new fantasy series, from “a writer with an utterly distinctive voice and a wild imagination.” (Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass) *This spectacular book features foil and embossing on the jacket, full-color designed endpapers, red stained edges, and a red case cover with gold stamping.* “An instant classic from one of the most gifted storytellers of our time, Impossible Creatures is an astonishing miracle of a book.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal Winner for The One and Only Ivan A WALL STREET JOURNAL BEST CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR • A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, KIRKUS REVIEWS, AND SHELF AWARENESS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR The day that Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever. It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago—a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years, until now. And it’s the day he met Mal—a girl on the run, in desperate need of his help. Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what’s happening, the clearer it becomes: no one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves. Katherine Rundell’s story crackles and roars with energy and delight. It is brought vividly to life with more than 60 illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.
Shelved under
- Juvenile Fiction
- Loveable Characters
- A mix driven
- Weak Character Development
- Strong Character Development
- Diverse Characters
- Middle grade
- Not Diverse Characters
- Magic
- Plot driven
- Adventurous
- tense
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ISBN 9780593809860 · Knopf Books for Young Readers