Fearless Children, Complicated Adults

Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
Knopf, October 1, 2024

Immortality, knowledge, fallen worlds, and mythical creatures; fearless children, complicated adults, and hidden lands – these are the ingredients of some of the most beloved children’s books, one of which Katherine Rundell’s new middle-grade novel, Impossible Creatures, is sure to become. The story follows Christopher, a boy from the known world, who crosses into the magical realm of The Archipelago to help a new friend figure out what is causing the landscape to wither and the animals to die. Along the way, he meets some truly fantastic beasts and comes to understand the intricate connection among all living things. Rundell’s book is both an important contribution to the growing genre of climate change literature and a captivating story of the power of observation, friendship, and resilience. It highlights Rundell’s respect for the intellectual and emotional capacity of children, reflecting her belief that “stories should not just offer a moral to children, but also explore complex ideas like politics, power, and care.” Appropriate for readers as young as 9 or 10, Impossible Creatures will surely make its way to library and classroom bookshelves everywhere.