The Secret of Glendunny: The Haunting by Kathryn Lasky

What worked:

Dunwattle is a young beaver kit, living in a peaceful pond called Glendunny when he sees the ghostly bones of a two-leg standing at the foot of his bed. The most important rule among the beavers is not to be seen by two-legs, and Dunwattle flees in fright and ends up getting photographed by a living one. This violation makes him a vysculf, and the punishment is exile or death. His thoughts are consumed by the possibilities, but he tries to continue living with the other beavers while keeping his secret. He starts to have feelings for a Canadian beaver and learns to stand up to injustice.

While not the spotlight of the story, the author masterfully weaves facts about beavers and other wildlife into the plot. The history of beavers in Scotland is shared as they were hunted to extinction, which explains why the vysculf is such a grave offense. The characters’ survival hinges on their abilities to remain undiscovered, while in the real-world Scotland efforts have been made to help beaver populations grow. Information about building and repairing dams, feeding, caring for the young, and communication can be found among the pages. Lynx used to thrive in Scotland, but it’s believed they became extinct there many centuries ago. However, the book still includes a lynx as an important character, and additional information about swans, otters, and other creatures can be learned as well. It’s surprising to discover beavers and swans have a close symbiotic relationship.

The issue of prejudice unexpectedly becomes part of the story, since one of the main characters named Yrynn is a beaver from Canada. She is unfairly singled out by adults and a teacher, and some classmates make mean comments about her background and abilities. The term Canuck is used as an insult, and the Scottish beavers think the Canucks are less able and less intelligent than themselves. Dunwattle and his best friend find Yrynn’s treatment appalling and Dunwattle finally has the courage to speak up. The Canadian beavers are invaluable to survival in the pond, and it’s time the others acknowledge it. 

What didn’t work as well:

The ending felt anticlimactic and sudden, and it left me with several unanswered questions about the future. Obviously, I can’t share details, but two characters discuss letting events play out so the antagonist’s actions can bring about his own defeat. The plot ends shortly after that, but the cause of the antagonist’s downfall comes unexpectedly. Readers make their own personal connections to books, so perhaps my reaction will differ from others. I truly enjoyed the overall story.

The Final Verdict:

Differences and heritage should be respected. The plight of the young beavers and underlying mysteries create an eloquent adventure of tolerance and survival. The author uses vividly descriptive language to paint detailed images of the characters and setting. The overall story is compelling and entertaining, and I recommend you give it a shot.