Basil & Dahlia: A Tragical Tale of Sinister Sweetness

. . . the piquant tale is rich in twists made all the more delicious by Cluskey\'s retro-style illustrations and the narrative\'s mildly gothic tone.

A deliciously satisfying romp.

Intrepid siblings are forced to survive on their own in this winking, raucous adventure by McCullough (Code Red). When Dahlia and Basil Bloom's parents are killed in a bizarre botanical explosion, 11-year-old Dahlia is terrified of losing her only remaining family to an impersonal foster system, and impulsively flees her assigned social worker by jumping from a moving train with older brother Basil reluctantly in tow. Injured and lacking money, the duo wander through New York City seeking food and shelter. After some minor misadventures--which are conveyed nonlinearly by an arch narrator--the siblings encounter Laurel Fox, the wealthy head of a pastry empire with a cultlike following (and a history of workplace misconduct). When Fox takes the children in, Basil is ready to accept this kindness at face value, but Dahlia remains suspicious, taking it upon herself to snoop around her new home. Dahlia's instincts prove correct as Fox's nefarious and ghastly motives are revealed, miring the two children in a familiar if bitingly humorous and appealingly weird action-adventure narrative studded with surreal illustrations by Cluskey (The Sackville Street Caper). Principal characters cue as white. Ages 8-12. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (May)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 5 Up--A cross between "A Series of Unfortunate Events" and "Hansel and Gretel," this is a whimsical and suspenseful story about two formerly homeschooled orphans. Basil is a bookworm with a terrible secret; Dalia is brilliantly quick-thinking (and can't read because her brain works differently). With their combined powers they can make it through anything, they hope; but New York City, germs, and a wicked witch are going to be a challenge, even for them. Although set in the modern day, the narrator is mid-19th-century British. This leads to some humorous misunderstandings over items, such as phones and cars, but the period narration is not always consistent with historical technologies or perspectives. There are a handful of illustrations sprinkled throughout, all black and white. The major characters are illustrated with white skin or described as pale, while a few minor characters are left ambiguous. There are some intense scenes in this dark comedy, although none likely to induce nightmares. Even though it doesn't have an exactly happy ending, the resolution will still be satisfying for most readers. VERDICT Fans of Lemony Snicket and Western fairy tales will devour this darkly humorous read.--Shelby Hogle

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

[A] comically arch third-person narrator. . . a pleasingly over-the-top villain surrounded by ridiculously self-serving sycophants . . . edgy, stylish, black-and-white illustrations that have a retro feeling and enhance the drama. A deliciously satisfying romp. — Kirkus Reviews

A quirky, lightly magical mystery filled with mouthwatering food and sinister adults. . . . McCullough\'s character work shines: the titular heroes struggle with guilt over their parents\' demise even as they consistently support each other; the creative yet dastardly villains are only outshone by the everyday workers who step up to help. . . . Stark, stylized illustrations from Cluskey (The Sackville Street Caper) are perfectly creepy and help set the unconventional tone. —Shelf Awareness