The Stonekeeper (Amulet, Book 1) [Paperback]

Kazu Kibuishi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a talking fox, a giant robot---and two ordinary children on a mission.

After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.
Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Almost too clever and poignant, Amulet is, on the surface, about navigating the murky waters of adolescence and, beneath that, an exploration of abandonment and survival. Emily and Navin are lost children, literally lost in a dark, new world and struggling to save their mother, who has been kidnapped by a drooling, tentacled beast. With stellar artwork, imaginative character design, moody color and consistent pacing, this first volume's weakness lies in its largely disjointed storytelling. There is the strong, young, heroine; cute, furry, sidekicks; scary monsters—all extraordinary components, but pieced together in a patchwork manner. There is little hope in his dark world as Kibuishi removes Emily and Navin's frame of safety. Their hopes rest in a magic amulet that seems to be working in the interest of the children—until it suddenly isn't. The most frightening element of Amulet is the sense of insecurity we feel for Emily, fighting her way through uncharted terrain with no guide and no support system. This first volume of Amulet isn't a disappointment, but it does feel like a warmup to the main event. If anything, it's a clear indication that Kibuishi has just begun skimming the surface of his own talent. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Praise for Amulet: Book 1 The Stonekeeper:

"[The] action-packed adventure sequences move at an exciting clip...Part fantasy...and part manga, this volume has much appeal to readers." — Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: GRAPHIX (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439846811
• ISBN-13: 978-0439846813
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Children's Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Spine-Chilling Horror
  • #37 in Books > Children's Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Comics & Graphic Novels

More About the Author

Kazu Kibuishi is the author and artist of the popular Amulet graphic novel series. He is also the creator of the Flight Anthologies, a critically acclaimed comics series, and Daisy Kutter: The Last Train, a winner of the YALSA Best Books for Young Adults Award. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Kazu moved to the U.S. with his mother and brother when he was a child. He graduated from Film Studies at the University of California Santa Barbara, and then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He currently works as a full-time comic book artist. Kazu lives in Alhambra, California, with his wife, Amy, and their son, Juni.