The Shadow Door (Elsewhere Chronicles) [Paperback]

Nykko (Author), Bannister (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2009 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Elsewhere Chronicles (Book 1)

It's bad enough when Max, Rebecca, Noah, and Theo just think Grandpa Gabe's house is haunted. But then the old movie projector in the library opens a passageway to a world of monsters and creatures made of shadows - a place of secrets and dangers set loose when the sun sets. The only weapons to fight them lie in the land on the other side of the Shadow Door. . .

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–Upon the death of a neighborhood recluse, Max, Theo, and Noah meet the man&'s adopted granddaughter, Bec. In her grandfather&'s effects, they find the means to travel to another world that&'s filled with strange plants and peoples and deadly shadow creatures. Unable to return the way they came, they must fight their way to other gateways. The three volumes comprise one story arc, introducing the characters and the world, and ending with the dangling promise of future adventures. And while there are fun and beautiful moments, the primary story objective is survival, and there is a continual sense of peril. The action sequences are clear and suspenseful, providing an interesting contrast to the charming figure work. There are frequent cute touches, which occasionally prevent the young heroes from expressing some of the tension and depth required in the more intense sequences, but overall the books effectively grab readers and create a compelling emotional landscape to complement the alien one. It&'s therefore a pity that the third volume feels rushed as it arrives at its conclusion. Due to the open-ended final panel, it makes sense to retain some dangling threads, but the key antagonist is never fully realized, and the sacrifice of a major character happens without sufficient explanation.–Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From Booklist

The plot in this first book in the Elsewhere Chronicles—a French-import graphic-novel trilogy—is simple enough: the four friends discover a door to another world in a spooky house (which is architecturally quite modern, in a nice twist), and then two of them get stuck there while the other two try to figure out how to get them back. A few of the details along the way are introduced with little explanation, such as light guns and a projector that somehow opens up the Shadow Door, and readers will have to wait until the next volume to truly get a handle on what’s going on in this other world of menacing shadows and monsters. That said, this is an undeniably attractive offering, as the artwork, with deep darks and effervescent lights splayed across large, glossy pages, is strikingly rendered. Indeed, there are times when the textual interference on the story is rendered unnecessary by the action occurring in the panels. A cryptic, light-horror opening that should have no problem gaining an appreciative readership. Grades 4-7. --Ian Chipman

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 46 pages
• Publisher: Lerner Pub Group (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761339639
• ISBN-13: 978-0761339632
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #985,866 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Elsewhere Chronicles are great!, May 6, 2009

By 

Tim Lasiuta "Comic Fan 42" (Red Deer, Alberta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Shadow Door (Elsewhere Chronicles) (Paperback)

In the fictional realm of `other worlds', there are many entries of note. Narnia, the Earths Centre, Mars (ERB novels), Venus, and The Looking Glass world have given us adventure. In "The Elsewhere Chronicles", we go behind the Shadow door to discover the secrets of the Master of Shadows.

Bannister and Nykko have created a remarkable thrilogy guided by the adventurous children Max, Rebecca, Noah and Theo. The funeral of old `Gabe' introduces the children to a house packed with mystery . A treasure trove of old books initially attracts the children, but it is the projector, and a phantom touch that leads them to the light and another world. Volume One introduces us to Norgavol, who resembles Grandpa Gabe, and a first excursion into the other world. "Shadow Spies" and "Master of Shadows" move us through the world as they help the inhabitants in their struggles.

For a graphic novel, this original work (done in French and translated), the Elsewhere Chronicles is amazing. The characters are the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, and the Fellowship of the Ring wrapped into one. They are fearful, brash, bold, and yet still so young. As a young man growing up in a small town, we often explored and imagined adventures like this in the landscapes around my home. I think this series will soon capture the imagination of readers around the world.

The art is terrific, but make sure you have enough light. The dark panels fade into obscurity in low light, but the brilliant colours jump out. "Bright" is not only a descriptor for color but for the smart kids who go through this three book series.

Check it out for your kids aged 6-12. Narnia may be too much, but Elsewhere will capture their imagination!

www.lernerbooks.com

Tim Lasiuta