The Trap by Steven Arntson (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Trap by Steven Arntson Alaine Martaus Arntson,Steven The Trap. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015 [256p] ISBN 978-0-547-82408-6 $16.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 5-7 As the summer of 1963 draws to a close, seventh-grader Henry Nilsson and his three best friends, including his twin sister, Helen, find themselves on an unexpected adventure. What starts as the search for a friend’s missing brother becomes a metaphysical mystery when they discover a book that teaches them the art of “subtle travel,” which lets their spirits wander free while their physical bodies are sleeping. Their nocturnal explorations soon lead them to a local widow and her late husband’s dangerous enemy, who wants to use subtle travel to rid the world of kindness and diversity. After Henry’s spirit gets stuck in a trap, his waking self will need all the help he can get to uncover the secret behind the book to save himself and maybe even the world. With its entertaining mix of mystery, history, science fiction, and old-fashioned bike-riding adventure, this novel offers up a story that is both engaging and thoughtful. Henry is a witty, self-deprecating narrator who is relatably awkward and innately heroic, and his friends provide a diverse, if somewhat [End Page 479] clichéd, cast that allows the novel to reflect on issues of racism and intolerance in a way that has personal resonance. The underlying message about acceptance and compassion is at times heavy-handed, but it never detracts from the narrative’s emotional poignancy. This novel is a strong choice for readers new to science fiction who appreciate the power of storytelling to change the world. Copyright © 2015 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois