THE INQUISITOR'S TALE Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog

Dutton Children's Books, 2016. 1st Edition 10th Printing. Hardcover. As New/New. Hatel Aly B&W illustrations. CONDITION: UNREAD, but not quite perfect, 2016 Dutton Children's Books hardcover (green boards with "Holy Dog" embossed on front board) and dust jacket, first edition, 10th printing. Newberry Honor Book. DJ front panel embossed title in gold foil with gold foil accents. Problem: red remainder dot bottom edges. All else perfect. CONTENT: 1242. On a dark night, travelers from across France cross paths at an inn and begin to tell stories of three children. Their adventures take them on a chase through France: they are taken captive by knights, sit alongside a king, and save the land from a farting dragon. On the run to escape prejudice and persecution and save precious and holy texts from being burned, their quest drives them forward to a final showdown at Mont Saint-Michel, where all will come to question if these children can perform the miracles of saints. Join William, an oblate on a mission from his monastery; Jacob, a Jewish boy who has fled his burning village; and Jeanne, a peasant girl who hides her prophetic visions. They are accompanied by Jeanne's loyal greyhound, Gwenforte . . . recently brought back from the dead. Told in multiple voices, in a style reminiscent of The Canterbury Tales, our narrator collects their stories and the saga of these three unlikely allies begins to come together. Beloved bestselling author Adam Gidwitz makes his long awaited return with his first new world since his hilarious and critically acclaimed Grimm series. Featuring manuscript illuminations throughout by illustrator Hatem Aly and filled with Adam's trademark style and humor, The Inquisitor's Tale is bold storytelling that's richly researched and adventure-packed. "It's no surprise that Gidwitz's latest book has been likened to The Canterbury Tales, considering its central story is told by multiple storytellers. As each narrator fills in what happens next in the story of the three children and their potentially holy dog, their tales get not only more fantastical but also more puzzling and addictive. However, the gradual intricacy of the story that is not Gidwitz's big accomplishment. Rather it is the complex themes (xenophobia, zealotry, censorship etc.) he is able to bring up while still maintaining a light tone, thus giving readers a chance to come to conclusions themselves. (Also, there is a farting dragon.)" Six years of extensive research and a natural storyteller's gift shine in this spiffily spun novel.