Georgie Summers and the Scribes of Scatterplot by Isaac Rudansky

What worked:

This book has many elements that will be familiar to young readers. Georgie’s father disappears and is taken to a new world called Scatterplot. Georgie has a crush on the prettiest girl in school named Apurva and she accompanies him on the adventure. They’re joined by Georgie’s neighbor although Roscoe is taken hostage almost immediately after passing through a portal. Georgie is the son of two Scribes, which leads to his incredible reading and writing skills. These skills don’t sound impressive but readers will learn more about them in the book. Finally, Georgie is the only one who can use the Aetherquill which means he’s the only person who can save the memories of everyone on Earth, and possibly rescue his father in the process.

The author includes bits of humor throughout the book by utilizing wordplay and funny situations. Twins greet Georgie and his friends when they’re preparing to enter a portal in Georgie’s garage. Edie was told Georgie might be spectacle (eyeglasses) about their destination and Ore says she meant to say skeptical. Edie says they’re in an orifice (an opening) when she should have said office. Roscoe claims to be a YouTube star and he doesn’t mind embarrassing Georgie in his videos. He tends to boast quite a bit but the truth is usually less than he claims. Readers will enjoy Roscoe’s transformation after he’s captured by a rebel named Rollie D.

Readers will discover an innovative world when the setting moves to Scatterplot. Georgie and his friends are transported by pocket horsemen named Phiz and Bugle that resemble miniature gorillas with horse’s heads. They can transform into huge versions of themselves and become ferocious, loyal defenders. The seven Scribes choose important events from the lives of every human on Earth and record them in books for each of them. These records allow humans to have memories but Scribe libraries are being attacked by Flint Eldrich. He wants to make all humans mindless subjects as he rules the world. The author saves a twist regarding Flint’s identity for later in the book. There are constant reminders that the Aetherquill should never be used in a lower realm, like Scatterplot” so readers will probably foresee that someone will undoubtedly do it.

What didn’t work as well:

Some details are overlooked or unexplained which may puzzle readers. For example, the Scribes shoot beams of energy from their hands during a fight without any prior hints of this ability. Also, it seems the Scribes don’t record memories of people in their own realm so readers may wonder why not.

The final verdict:

Young readers will like how Georgie discovers he has abilities like in other popular books. The Aetherquill and Scribes are fresh ideas and the truth about Georgie’s father is a surprising twist. Overall, this is an enjoyable adventure and I recommend you give it a shot.