Haarville by Justin Davies

What worked:

It’s hard to find stories with innovative twists on familiar themes but this book brings freshness to middle-grade literature. Haarville’s existence is only rumored in the Out-There as almost all of its residents are related to shipwreck survivors. Manx’s relatives founded the town in a land full of fog-shrouded rocks and the discovery of amberose is the only reason people have been able to survive. This power source keeps all perpetual inventions working although Manx and his guardian are the only ones knowledgeable enough to work with the volatile resource. However, two strangers appear in Haarville taking over Manx’s repair shop and confiscating all of the perpetuals in town. The most interesting twist is how the town’s leaders immediately allow the strangers to take over and disrupt life in Haarville.

An insightful observation made by one character is that some stories have two beginnings. Manx doesn’t understand how this is possible until the woman explains what she means. Everyone in town knows the tale of how Manx’s relatives founded Haarville but she offers another version of what citizens “know”. Manx discovers the story told by the strangers might be true but their motivation for appearing in Haarville is less than honorable. They have no desire to repair perpetuals for townsfolk but are more interested in searching for a treasure referred to as the hoard. What exactly is the hoard? The plot evolves into a mystery where Manx is in a race to solve clues and locate the hoard before the strangers.

Readers will empathize with Manx’s character as he’s beaten down and stripped of his freedoms. The strangers evict him and his guardian from their home and the author masterfully describes their new life across the bridge in the squalid part of town. They’re forced to help an innkeeper with chores that include cleaning privies, laundering crusty garments and linens that may have never been cleaned, and making meals from assorted fish parts. A curfew assessed to Manx limits his access to Haarville but additional orders systematically restrict his movements to visit friends and investigate new clues.

What didn’t work as well:

Most of the plot finds Manx battling problems on his own as he tries to unravel what’s happening. He’s supported by his guardian Father G and best friend Fantoosh but he always investigates on his own. Fantoosh comes across as more of a classmate since the author doesn’t have her going out of her way to help. Most books with close friends find characters taking risks for each other and defying authority to make things right. Fantoosh doesn’t behave in this way until the story nears its climax.

The Final Verdict:

The author creates a magical story where Manx fights increasingly difficult challenges to uncover the truth and save Haarville. The descriptions are inventive but familiar enough for readers to make connections. The underdog story should appeal to young readers so I recommend you give it a shot.