The Emperor’s Ostrich

Product Description

Magic and mayhem abound in this fantasy adventure from the author of The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place.
Young dairymaid Begonia has lost her cow Alfalfa. So she has set off on a search across the countryside even though she has nothing but a magical map to guide her. Along the way she meets a mother and baby, a woodcutter, a very dirty young man, and an eight-foot ostrich.
Meanwhile, the emperor has gone missing from the royal palace in a most mysterious manner. Was it murder? Was it magic? It will take all of Begonia’s wits to save the empire and get Alfalfa home safely.

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–7—This whimsical, rambling adventure also serves as a coming-of-age tale. First, readers meet the Emperor, who though technically an adult has been pampered his whole life and has a lot of growing up to do. Next up is Begonia, a farm girl who’s been burdened with responsibilities from a young age but still needs to learn about herself. Both are jolted out of their regular lives: Begonia when she is sent off in pursuit of her family’s lost cow, the Emperor when a demon scares him out of his bedroom in the dead of night and he flees by ostrich. Once on the road they meet an eclectic band of companions, including each other. Guided by Grandfather and Grandmother Spirit, they must step up to save the kingdom from the evil Chancellor, who has taken over in the Emperor’s absence. This novel is well written and well executed, with Berry’s clear prose holding together a complicated plot and increasingly eccentric cast of characters. VERDICT Give to kids who enjoy a clever story and don’t mind a strong dose of silliness, or to anyone who loves the idea of a cow who becomes besotted with an ostrich.—Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

Review

“Cheeky commentary about class and feminism, giggle-inducing wordplay, and jokes about the ridiculousness of imperial overindulgence round out this story.” – Kirkus Reviews “Berry (The Passion of Dolssa, 2016) works a kind of magic with this enchanting adventure, orchestrating individual characters’ stories into a seamlessly unified narrative.” – Booklist *Starred Review”Give to kids who enjoy a clever story and don’t mind a strong dose of silliness, or to anyone who loves the idea of a cow who becomes besotted with an ostrich.” – School Library Journal”Berry has hit all the right notes to please fairy tale–loving young readers. She gracefully brings the young heroine and her two companions to betterunderstandings of themselves, provides ample cliffhanging scenes of drama andexcitement, and sees to it that the villains are punished in highly satisfying ways.” – Horn Book
“Berry balances humor, drama, and poignancy effectively, keeping things moving along even while dropping key life lessons about kindness and inclusivity along the way…this novel is fantasy gold for readers who want a straightforward tale told well.” – BCCB”Whimsical details, including an enchanted map and a pot of mustard that changes flavor, will delight readers, and the nonstop action will keep them on the edge of their seats.” – Publisher’s Weekly

About the Author

Julie Berry is the author of many books for children and young adults including
The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place. She lives in southern California with her husband and four sons.