What Came from the Stars

Tommy Pepper is turning twelve and for a twelve year old, he has a lot of worries.  Ever since his mother's accident, his father has stopped painting and his sister has stopped talking.  Tommy is wracked with guilt because he feels that he is to blame for his mother’s death.  To make matters worse, the Peppers may be forced to leave their beautiful home on the shore of Plymouth, MA to make way for new condominiums.

The last thing Tommy expects is for a powerful necklace from outer space to land in his lunchbox.  But that is exactly what happens.   Tommy puts on the necklace and suddenly knows the history of the Valorim, beings from a planet light years away from earth.  He finds that he can speak their language, paint pictures that move, and create living creatures from the sand.  But someone is mad that the Art of the Valorim has been sent away and that someone is determined to get it back.

Schmidt has written a fascinating story that is sure to delight lovers of fantasy.  He effortlessly weaves together two separate tales, that of the Valorim and their fight against the evil Lord Mondus and that of Tommy Pepper and his family.  At first, readers may be confused by Tommy’s use of the Valorim language but most of the words can be figured out in context.  If readers are still stumped, they can refer to the handy glossary provided at the end of the book.

What Came From the Stars is unique in many respects and certainly deserves consideration.  Has Schmidt created a Newbery winner?  What are your thoughts?