Amulet - Book One: The Stonekeeper

Resource type: graphic novel

Cover (Kibuishi, 2008)

After a tragedy, a family: Emily, her younger brother Navin and her mother Karen, move to Norlen, set in idyllic countryside, full of fresh mountain air, golden autumn leaves and quaint covered bridges (Image 1: Moving to Norlen). They move in to their great grandfather's house which has stood abandoned for years, ever since he disappeared. They start to clean up the dusty and dark old house.

Image 1: Moving to Norlen (Kibuishi, 2008)

Emily soon discovers great grandfather Silas' old library, which seems to be the most interesting room (as he was a puzzle maker). She is curious and investigates a strange plinth, somehow unlocking a glowing amulet.
Later that night their mother is kidnapped by a great big slimy monster, and they follow it through a portal into another dimension, diving through a hole in the brick wall of their basement.
In this new dark and wet world, they are surrounded by enormous spider-octopus creatures, massive toadstools, leathery pterodactyl-like birds, ghoulish looking elves with rows of sharp linty teeth, apparitions with eyes that spy, Steampunk creations, and a tall mysterious stranger in a large coat, a flat wide brimmed hat and glowing goggles.

Emily, the determined young protagonist, is faced with a decision: fall deeper into this dark and dangerous alternate dimension, with promises of power and fulfilling her destiny? Or do nothing? (But we know that this is an empty question, it's a fantasy story - who wouldn't take the magic and power and destiny fulfillment?)

The illustrations are atmospheric, expressive, cinematic, shadowy, and immersive. They pull you into the story with lifelike details, actions and facial expressions.

The dialogue is natural, easy to read, and works effectively to draw you in to the lifelike characters, sibling rivalry, their relationships and their emotions: the excitement, danger, fear and the tragedy.

The plot is simple enough to move through quickly and believably, and intriguing enough to make you want to devour the story (and the next book in the series).

This is a high quality graphic novel, and is highly recommend for children and young adults.

Bibliographic details:

Kibuishi, K. (2008). Amulet. Book 1: the stonekeeper. New York: Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.