Dwarf Story

by W W Marplot

Overview

For Arty to miss a day of school, either he is very, very sick or a fairytale-character turf-war has begun in his backyard. So begins this particular Wednesday.

First, Arty finds a sweaty, bearded ax-swinging warrior Dwarf scaring his dogs. Soon enough, Emma, Cry, and other middle-school friends also find fairy creatures-Elves, Spriggans, Pixies, and a hoped-for Dragon-crashing into their normal homework-doing, backpack-carrying, phone-charging schooldays.

Why are these magical beings here? What should be done? Is that ax sharp? Can Pixies be given aspirin? Arty, with his friends-and spying jerks and questionable strangers with long names-follow the clues and try to find out, even as things turn dark and dangerous. The mythical beings take sides. The Gwyllion, that legendary Old Woman of the Mountains, has a sinister plan that will turn the neighborhood into a fantasy battleground.

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781734758306
Publisher:	Waxing Gibbous Books
Publication date:	06/30/2020
Pages:	420
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.93(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Professor Welkin Westicotter Marplot, of Coillemuir, Scotland, is a collector of esoteric tales of global wisdom and curator of ancient manuscripts. He is a recluse and, as he claims, has been collecting and collating adventure and fantasy stories for over a century. A third-generation descendant, Gertrude Dee Marplot, of the United States, has edited for publication a number of the professor's texts that she found-to her surprise-take place in modern times. Each tells of normal, young teenagers in strange, terrifying situations-or of unique kids in worse ones. As she continues to learn more of the stories' origins, Ms. Marplot has edited numerous tales from their tattered and disorganized shape for the enjoyment of modern readers.

Editorial Reviews

"In the exciting fantasy Dwarf Story, the mythical world intersects with our own as a legendary war draws near. The descriptions vary from how dwarfs and other mythical creatures are usually represented, giving the story a singular edge. The story is thrilling as Arty and the team rush to find out the meaning of everything happening around them and as they discover that they are facing a powerful enemy" -Foreword Reviews

"Dwarf Story by Professor W. W. Marplot is a fascinating tale of humans meeting mythology in a huge battle, not just a physical one but a battle of wits too. It is a well-written story, perfectly aimed at its audience, and is full of action. . . The story jumps right into the action on page one and it stays there, never letting up until the very end. Great story and I'm looking forward to the next one." -Five Star Review, Readers Favorite

"I found myself completely lost in the mystery - why were fairy tale creatures showing up in an otherwise completely normal neighborhood? What other creatures will they find next? And how in the world can a massively wide dwarf hide behind a rail-thin fourteen year old boy? . . With an excellent blend of wit, magic, and mystery, this middle grade novel will keep your little reader guessing... and reading." -Woodpecker Books

"It reminds me of so many novels I read growing up that transported me to magical lands and allows for an escape into a beautifully crafted, fantastical world alongside fairies, elves, dragons and, of course, dwarves. With school coming to a close, this would be a great addition to any kid's (or adults) stack." -@Booksbrewsandbarks

"Dwarf Story" is more than a fairytale, and it invites readers of all ages to jump into the epic adventure." -@Pannafox

From the Publisher

2022-05-04
In Marplot’s middle-grade fantasy epic, a group of teens befriends fantastical beings in trouble.

Thirteen-year-old Arty lives in the Belle Terre area of Long Island, New York. He's a science-minded student who loathes interruptions to his organized schedule. One misty Wednesday morning, he spies something outside in his family’s yard. With the help of his three dogs, Arty finds a Dwarf, with a long beard, muscular build, and an ax, who’s seems as if he’s stepped out of a fantasy novel. He doesn't speak English, but because he keeps saying the word “Thryst,” Arty refers to him by that name. Soon, Thryst locks eyes with the teen and supplies him with a vision of a mountainous realm and a Dwarf army. Arty’s best friend, the artistic Emma, is surprised that he’s been missing classes at Fontaine Middle School. She finds him at the local library doing research on mythical Dwarves; they soon find that their obnoxious classmate Ted is spying on them. Soon, Thryst’s ax begins “ringing,” and he vanishes, but later, in Arty’s bedroom, another magical being arrives: an unattractive, fairylike Spriggan whom Emma names “Sprugly.” Emma’s new acquaintance speaks some English and mentions a place called “New Island.” Adding to the intrigue is a man all dressed in brown who appears at the edge of Arty’s property. His name is Abcedarius Zyxvuts, and he knows exactly how Long Island figures into fairy history. Arty and Emma later team up with other kids, including fantasy-genre fan Cry Chesterton, to help out Thryst, who has a sad story of his own.Marplot communicates the excitement of being a young fantasy fan in this grand adventure. Chapters from Arty’s and Emma’s perspectives quickly establish a humorous tone, with Emma ribbing her somewhat square friend in lines such as “He’s not the ready-for-action type, unless it says ‘Action, Wednesday, 8 am,’ on a sticky note of the right color.” The structure makes rare chapters from others’ points of view feel even more clever: “I am Ted. You know what's great about me? I can get involved in any story whenever I want.” The prose often has a lyrical bounce to it, as well: “Ted, shining like a poet in Paris, forced a smile on Mary, with all the grace of a cafeteria spitball.” This may challenge some younger readers, but others will find it playful. Fine details bolster the fairy-tale atmosphere, such as German nanny Gretel—named after the character in “Hansel and Gretel”—who blurs the line between reality and fantasy. Marplot’s audience will need some patience, though, as Arty and his friends take their time using books, maps, and runes to discover their main antagonist, Gwyllion, the Old Woman of the Mountains. Also, some chapters, such as one from the perspective of the aforementioned Mary, who “can sense fairies,” lean on excessive exposition to define complex concepts. By the end, Arty learns the lesson that answering the question “why” is often “harder than math.”

An often sweet and joyful work that will reward patient readers.

Kirkus Reviews