The Whatnot

By: Stefan Bachmann

Narrated by: Peter Altschuler

Oh, the Sly King, the Sly King, in his towers of ash and wind.

Pikey Thomas doesn't know how or why he can see the changeling girl. But there she is. Not in the cold, muddy London neighborhood where Pikey lives. Instead, she's walking through the trees and snow of the enchanted Old Country or, later, racing through an opulent hall. She's pale and small, and she has branches growing out of her head. Her name is Henrietta Kettle.

Pikey's vision, it turns out, is worth something. Worth something to Hettie's brother - a brave adventurer named Bartholomew Kettle. Worth something to the nobleman who protects him. And Pikey is not above bartering - Pikey will do almost anything to escape his past; he'll do almost anything for a life worth living.

The faeries - save for a mysterious sylph and a mischievous cobble faery or two - have been chased out of London. They've all gone north. The army is heading north, too. So Pikey and Bartholomew follow, collecting information, piecing together clues, searching for the doorway that will lead them to Hettie.

The Whatnot is the enthralling, surprising, and unforgettable companion to Stefan Bachmann's internationally best-selling debut novel The Peculiar.

©2013 Stefan Bachmann (P)2013 HarperCollinsPublishers

Faery story that boys will love

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Another brilliant book from Stefan Bachmann.
This kid is a fabulous writer with an educated imagination and a great sense of humor.

What did you like best about this story?

The references to Dickens and the witty jokes, had us laughing, while the dark sinster plots had the kids on the edge of their seats.

Which character – as performed by Peter Altschuler – was your favorite?

Hettie

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Not Like any fairy story you would expect, It is BETTER.

Any additional comments?

Hoping the author has composed music for this volume as well.