Our story begins with Jacob Reckless..His father has disappeared, leaving him to look after his younger brother, Will, and his grief-stricken mother. Jacob is going through a lot and it shows in his demeanor. He takes refuge in his father's study, looking through his things and reminiscing all the times they shared together. As he searches through his father's study for clues to where he might have gone, Jacob discovers a strange message left in one of his father's books. "The mirror will open only for he who cannot see himself."
As Jacob takes a closer look at the mysterious mirror, it soon reveals it's more than what it seems. He decodes the message and soon finds himself in an parallel universe called Mirrorworld. Jacob finds it much easier to live in the world behind the mirror, and spends more and more of his days behind it. It is his world, his secret, and he does not wish to share it with anyone.
Twelve years have past since discovering the mirror, and he has been able to keep his secret well hidden. He has become very familiar with the world, establishing himself as one of the greatest treasure hunters in Mirrorworld. One day, in his haste to escape reality, he makes a mistake, and his secret is discovered. Will has followed him in!
This is where all his troubles begins. Something has happened to his brother, something terrible, and it is up to Jacob to save him. Only Jacob knows the secrets of the world, and he will do anything it takes to uncover the one thing that will relieve his brother from this terrible curse. Jacob reluctantly enlists the help of his trusted companion, the shapeshifter, Fox, and Will's girlfriend, Clara. Thus begins our harrowing journey through a world where witches lure children in to houses made of sweets, dwarfs will do just about anything for a bit of gold, and Fairies are capable of creating fates worse than death.
This is a book for older readers, so if you're in fourth grade, you may want to wait another year before you pick it up. The beginning is a bit confusing, but I urge to not let this deter you from reading further. It gradually pieces together, and by the end of the book you will be very satisfied with the story that unfolds, and it will leave you craving for more. If you do find yourself loving the book your in luck! Funke is making this into a series and book 2 is soon to come.
If you still need more convincing, check out the book trailer:
Activity: What is your favorite fairy tale? Create a diorama of the fairy tale or one of their fairy tales represented in a book like Reckless. Share a picture of your diorama with us in a post or bring it in the library for display.
If you like Reckless, you may be interested in:
The Sister's Grimm Series by Michael Buckley
Troll's Eye View edited by Ellen Daltow and Terri Windling
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carlson Levine
The Fairest by Gail Carlson Levine
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaman
Into the Woods by Lyn Gardner
The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber (a personal favorite)
Straw into Gold by Gary Schmidt
Crowfield Curse by Pat Walsh
Other Books by Cornelia Funke:
Dragon Thief
Ghosthunter Series
Igraine the Brave
Inkheart
Inkspell
Inkdeath
The Thief Lord
When Santa Fell to Earth
-Miss Michelle
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