Monday, September 15, 2008

The Key to Rondo by Emily Rodda - ESSENTIAL


Rodda, Emily The Key to Rondo, 333pgs. Scholastic Press;

Content~G

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL

When Aunt Bethany died she left Leo her music box. The music box was a treasured family heirloom. The music that played when the lid was opened was almost hypnotic. But unlike most music boxes this one had 4 rules.

“Turn the key three times only.
Never turn the key while the music is playing.
Never pick up the box while the music is playing.
Never close the lid until the music has stopped.”

Why these rules existed, Leo didn’t know. The sides and top of the music box was painted with various scenes all which Leo knew by heart from the many times he had studied the box. Leo’s life changed the day his cousin Mimi turned the key four times! Characters from the music box came alive into the room! First it was blue butterflies, but the next time it was a beautiful lady all dressed in blue. Little did they know that the lady was an evil queen with evil intentions for Leo and Mimi. The evil queen kidnaps Mimi’s dog and returns to the music box. Mimi insists that they follow and thus begins Leo’s adventure in the land of Rondo.

Emily Rodda has once again created a fabulous fantasy tale for young readers to lose themselves in. This story would make an excellent class read-a-loud.

Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Librarian

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