The Fixer Upper (Lost Legends) by Jen Calonita. 183 pages. Disney Hyperion, 2023 $8 Language: G (0 swears, 0 f’) Mature Content: G Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: MS – ADVISABLE
12yo Kristoff is happy living with his adoptive troll family, learning their ways, and being part of a group. He had spent many years as an orphan and he liked finally feeling like he was part of something. But when he turns 12 his adoptive parents decide it is time for him to go to human school so that he can have some human interactions. Kristoff is not so sure he wants to reenter a world where humans are often unkind. He was right to be nervous, the same boy who bullied him at the orphanage, Gustav, is a student at Kristoff’s new school. At school, Kristoff learns that there will be an ice harvesting contest. He is excited that he can return to his first love of ice harvesting. Gustav also wants to win the contest and he will stop at nothing to win.
To be honest, I did not have high hopes for this spin-off story based on a Disney movie. I, however, was pleasantly surprised. This is a sweet story about an orphan boy who with some trepidation, is willing to step out of his comfort zone to learn new things, make new friends and push through life’s difficulties. He takes the lessons of kindness and friendship that he learned from his troll family into the human world. He chooses to be kind and look out for others. I would recommend this book. All of the character are assumed to be white.
Reviewer: A. Snow
