Content levels
Trigger warnings
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
In the wake of tragedy, siblings Connor and Cordelia and their pet capybara are sent to the precariously perched town of Woundabout to live with their eccentric aunt. Woundabout is a place where the mayor has declared that routine rules above all, and no one is allowed to as questions--because they should already know the answers. But Connor and Cordelia can't help their curiosity when they discover a mysterious crank that fits into certain parts of the town, and by winding the crank, places are transformed into something beautiful. When the townspeople see this transformation, they don't see beauty--they only see change. And change, the mayor says, is something to fear. With the mayor hot on their trail, can Connor and Cordelia find a way to wind Woundabout back to life?
Is Woundabout appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 10 and up.
This whimsical middle grade fantasy deals with sibling grief and features children questioning authority in a town that fears change. Content is gentle with mild peril but no violence, making it appropriate for upper elementary readers.
What to know going in
This book has no graphic violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death of parent and grief.
Who'll love this
Kids will love following siblings and their pet capybara as they discover magical secrets in a strange town where asking questions is forbidden.