"Can this be real?" That's what we're left wondering as each new story in Half a Creature from the Sea teasingly unfolds. British author Almond blurs the lines between the supernatural and reality with aplomb in his latest collection of short fiction. Satisfyingly, each story is preceded by an autobiographical foreword, as Almond weaves elements of his own provincial childhood into each tale, accompanied by Taylor's stylish gray-scale illustrations, which clatter around the edges of the pages. This only heightens the allure of the fantastical circumstances his characters find themselves in: a father descends from heaven to console his grieving son. God an imposter? sits a young girl's garden and grants wishes that seem implausible. A boy summons a poltergeist he only half fears. Almond's dialogue crackles with Briticisms and youthful English dialect. His scenes center on unsuspecting young adults making sense of mystical situations they unwittingly encounter. With each story, Almond cements his prolific, beloved place among writers of magic realism for today's young readers.

Gr 7 Up-A "monster" chained in May Malone's house is not what it seems; God visits a friend's garden; a bullied child commits the ultimate sin; a girl named Annie knows she is truly a mermaid, and has a picture to prove itAlmond's eight short stories, all set in gritty northern England, are about the improbable, the beautiful, and the mysterious. Each story includes an introductory note that details the origins of the story and its impact on Almond. The style and tone of the collection is reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's otherworldly works. While these tales are mostly autobiographical, elements of magic, mysticism, and mindfulness are laced throughout. The author delivers realistically magical vignettes for niche readers. VERDICT A unique contribution to the rather small genre of young adult short stories. Amanda C. Buschmann, Atascocita Middle School, Humble, TX