The glorious race of magical beasts

A quirky bookworm joins the race of a lifetime in order to save what's most important to him. Twelve-year-old apprentice librarian Elijah Cassius Dewey Fleet embraces the quiet life, working in Harmonia's Royal Library. He lives with Nana, his doting grandmother, and Humphrey, his moon tortoise. But when Nana's magic begins to wane, Eli is devastated to learn that he'll soon lose the only family member he has. The only way to save Nana is by winning the Glorious Race of Magical Beasts--the competition that cost his parents their lives--and claiming the grand prize, which would allow him to buy a cure for Nana. No one believes that a bookish boy wearing a tweed suit and accompanied by his moon tortoise could ever win; most racers go for flashier animals, such as Pegasi, dragons, and cheetahs. Eli will need to overcome many treacherous obstacles, but the biggest challenge he faces might be convincing himself of his own strength. Each chapter introduces fantastical details and characters, including adventuresome Jeremiah Jones (Eli's best friend, whom he brought to life from his favorite book) and Raven (a fellow competitor, who has an ice hare). Charming characters and true whimsy combine to create a tale that will engage even the most reluctant readers. Eli and Nana read white; Jeremiah and Raven have dark skin and black hair. A daring adventure about what's possible when one abandons self-doubt and fears of failure. (Fantasy. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.