The Trap

Starred review from February 23, 2015
In smalltown Iowa in 1963, seventh-grader Henry Nilsson’s biggest challenge is managing his crush on Nicki, his twin sister Helen’s best friend. That’s until Henry, Helen, Nicki, and Henry’s best friend Alan stumble across a book that teaches them how to separate their “subtle selves” from their bodies and wander free, à la astral projection. The four soon realize that the mysterious disappearance of Alan’s bullying older brother is connected to the strange parallel “subtle” world that they explore by night. Arntson (The Wrap-Up List) intelligently interweaves first crushes, longtime loves, the Fibonacci sequence, and themes of racial prejudice, xenophobia, and civil rights together in a story that also considers big questions of humanity and connection. Henry’s introspective, self-effacing narration brims with evocative details and descriptions (for his more daring and headstrong sister, “Writing things down... was like standing around after hearing the starting gun”), unspooling a haunting and suspenseful story that will resonate with science-fiction fans as well as anyone who has needed to find the courage to ask a date to the big dance. Ages 9–12. Agent: Jenni Ferrari-Adler, Union Literary.

Starred review from January 15, 2015
It is 1963 in Farro, Iowa, where not much happens-at least until the school bully goes missing and four seventh-graders find a book that allows them to literally have out-of-body experiences. Following the directions in the book, Henry Nilsson, his twin sister, Helen, and their friends, Chinese-American Nicki and part-Nez Perce Alan, travel through the "subtle plane," where they are both invisible and invincible. They quickly discover that they are not the only ones with this amazing ability. In addition to the creepy man who keeps appearing out of nowhere, a violin-playing ghost and the missing school bully, there is a whole organization dedicated to policing the subtle plane. But it is up to Henry and his friends to thwart the evil schemes of a crazy genius and see if they can rescue Carl, Alan's troubled brother. This riveting science-fiction mystery is much more than an exciting read. The subtle world may be dangerous, but Henry and his friends find that the real world poses its own challenges. Together, they grapple with racism, poverty and alcoholism, all while nursing their first crushes and dealing with the angst of the upcoming fall formal. Arntson folds all of these elements into his narrative without compromising pacing or characterization one bit. An amazing blend of mystery, romance, science fiction and social commentary. (Science fiction. 9-12)

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January 1, 2015

Gr 6-8-When your best friend's older brother is a bully, what's a seventh grader to do? Henry Nilsson takes the punch, and even helps look for Carl when the bully mysteriously goes missing. While searching for Carl, the twins Henry and Helen, and their friends Alan and Nicki stumble across a book about "subtle travel." They learn how to access the subtle plane: their "subtle bodies" can be up and around while their physical bodies remain asleep. The four friends encounter adventure and danger as they hunt for Carl, meet other astral travelers, and dodge the National Flux Travel Security Association. The 1963 rural Iowa setting means frequent bike riding, corded phones, and parents who don't give a second thought to four youngsters staying overnight with an elderly neighbor. The science fiction elements are balanced by historical details such as the space race, as well as realistic elements, such as details of the meals Henry likes to cook, family stress caused by his father's job loss, and asking a crush to the school dance. At times the book waxes philosophical, examining the nature of the body, consciousness, death, and humanity. The ending loops back in a satisfying way. For larger collections where readers appreciate a story that mixes adventure with musings on the nature of human goodness and immortality.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2015
Grades 5-8 The strange book Henry finds in the woods contains detailed instructions: before bed, raise your arms, recite these numbers, and prepare to access the subtle body the spirit-self that lives within every person's physical body. Henry can't help but try. After all, life has been bleak lately for him and his twin sister, Helen, in 1963 rural Iowa, where his family is struggling to make ends meet and the nation at large is embroiled in segregation disputes. So when Henry finds himself staring down at his own sleeping self that night, he is excited to explore a mystical new world. But he cannot anticipate becoming trapped in the middle of a long-running feud between the book's authorsone of whom seems to have kidnapped Henry's own best friend's brotheror having trouble finding his way out of the subtle plane altogether. Aptly named, The Trap is a deceptively breezy, fast-paced mystery with an engaging kid narrator. Arntson (The Wikkeling, 2011) weaves classic sci-fi elements into a fresh, fantastical story ideal for middle grades on up.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)