Reckless

Title: Reckless

Author: Cornelia Funke

ISBN: 978-0316056076

Publisher: Little, Brown Books (2011)

Copyright: 2010

Genre: Fantasy

Age Range: 14-18

Reader’s Annotation: Jacob has been escaping the boring existence of our world as he slips through the mirror. When his brother Will follows him, tragedy strikes in an instant as he slowly turns to stone; can Jacob save him in time?

Plot Summary: Jacob Reckless has been sneaking into his father’s abandoned study for all his life. Reading about a new world his father discovered, he finds a cryptic note that transports him through the mirror into the new land Jacob calls Mirrorworld. Mirrorworld is a land scaled back to limited technology and full of magic. If something has been done through magic, it can be undone through magic. In the twelve years that Jacob has adventured in Mirrorworld, Jacob has created a reputation as a treasure hunter with many allies and enemies.

When Will, Jacob’s brother, follows Jacob into Mirrorworld, he is caught up in the same awe that Jacob first observed. But Mirrorworld is a dangerous place, Will is brutally attacked by Goyls. Goyls are gargoyle like stone creatures that live under the surface. When a human is attacked and sctratched by a Goyl, their skin transforms into stone as they transition into a Goyl. After the attack, Will says his goodbyes to Clara, his girlfriend, and heads back to his Goyl fate in Mirrorworld. Clara finds her way into Mirrorworld and finds Jacob, Will, and Fox, Jacob’s shape-shifting vixen friend. They all head out together on an adventure to cure Will in time before he becomes a Goyl.

Critical Evaluation: Cornelia Funke creates a wonderful story that draws from folktales. Folktales are important cultural stories that often act in place of moral lessons. They are the foundation of the mythology that each society bases its cultural values. Funke incorporates these European folktales, like The Frog Prince, Snow White, and Hansel and Gretel, into the story to add spice and flavor to each of the plot points. These story elements get teens involved in looking up the tales from which they came or remembering the tales they heard when they were children. By using folktales, Funke inspires readers to reread and refresh these old stories bring new life or more circulation to other parts of the collection. Reckless is also a story about family. One brother sacrifices all to save his brother. It shows how strongly family should be bonded together. It incorporates magic and adventure to tell a family tale of sacrifice that is grounded in European folklore.

Author Information: Cornelia Funke is considered the German J.K. Rowling. Best known for her Inkheart series, she has written numerous book series for various age groups. She has won numerous German literature awards including the Roswitha Prize, the oldest woman’s literary award in Germany. She writes both in German and in English.

Curriculum Ties: Folklore, mythology.

Challenge Issues: Magic

Booktalk Ideas: Folklore – A discussion can be held identifying the different folk stories that Reckless uses. More discussion can be focused on each one and how they are used in the story.