Inkling

Astonishing--The New York Times Book Review

A brilliantly funny, highly illustrated story about how a little ink splot changes a family forever. Perfect for those who love Hoot, Holes, or Frindle

The Rylance family is stuck. Dad's got writer's block. Ethan promised to illustrate a group project at school--even though he can't draw. Sarah's still pining for a puppy. And they all miss Mom.

Enter Inkling. Inkling begins life in Mr. Rylance's sketchbook. But one night the ink of his drawings runs together--and then leaps off the page This small burst of creativity is about to change everything.

Ethan finds him first. Inkling has absorbed a couple chapters of his math book--not good--and the story he's supposed to be illustrating for school--also not good. But Inkling's also started drawing the pictures to go with the story--which is amazing It's just the help Ethan was looking for Inkling helps the rest of the family too--for Sarah he's a puppy. And for Dad he's a spark of ideas for a new graphic novel. It's exactly what they all want.

It's not until Inkling goes missing that this family has to face the larger questions of what they--and Inkling--truly need.

- A New York Times Notable Book
- A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year -- top ten selection
- A true-to-life family, some can't-put-it-down excitement, a few deep questions, and more than a little bit of magic. This book is everything, and I loved every page. --Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medalist for When You Reach Me

Author: Kenneth Oppel
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published: 11/06/2018
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.85lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.80w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781524772819
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.6
Point Value: 7
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 198303 / Inkling


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 08/15/2018
School Library Journal 09/01/2018 pg. 110
Booklist 09/01/2018 pg. 114
Publishers Weekly 10/01/2018
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2018
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2019 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw

About the Author
KENNETH OPPEL is one of the most highly regarded authors of middle-grade fiction writing today. Among his books is the 2015 middle-grade novel The Nest, which received six starred reviews, was the Canadian Library Association's 2016 Book of the Year, a New York Times Editors' Choice, and was included on several notable Best of 2015 lists, as well as Airborn, a 2005 Printz Honor Book. Find him online at www.kennethoppel.ca and @KennethOppel.

SYDNEY SMITH is the illustrator of many award-winning picture books, including Smoot, A Rebellious Shadow by Michelle Cuevas, Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson, and Town is by the Sea by Joanne Schwartz, for which he was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal. Sydney lives with his family in Toronto, Canada. You can find him on Twitter @Sydneydraws.