The astonishing chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere by Jaclyn Moriarty. Illus. by Kelly Canby

The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere is the fourth book in the Kingdoms and Empires series. Although the novels are linked together with related or repeated characters, they can be read as stand-alone stories.

The opening chapter introduces Oscar, a boy not from the Magical Kingdoms, who is in the principal’s office explaining why he has been absent from school for the past week. This novel is his and Imogen’s account (alternate chapters) of everything that happened in the past 5 days.

Skateboarding Oscar found himself transported into a magical world where he joined a quest with Imogen and five other children to save the elf kingdom of Dun-sorey-lo-vay-lo-hey and all its inhabitants from being crushed under a silver covering. To fulfill this quest, the children must find nine pieces of a key by the deadline of Friday 12:00 pm to protect all the elves and allow Oscar to return to his own world.

This is a charming novel with plenty of action and detailed storylines. Some of the characters have appeared before such as the Radish Gnomes, Silver Foxes and witches but Jaclyn has introduced many new characters as well.

Oscar and the ‘Kingdom’ children are from different worlds but they’re able to work together and help each other in their mission and they develop into a strong friendship group. Oscar as the outsider, has to deal with an unusual old-fashioned magical world. He grows as a character and it is often his insights and perspectives that help solve many of the problems.

The ending has a few surprises and solves many of the puzzles attentive readers would have discovered throughout the story. I totally missed the Gruffudd the elf twist so that was a fun reveal for me.

Kelly Canby has illustrated all the ‘Kingdom’ books and her wonderful images are scattered throughout the novel. 

The ’Kingdom and Empires’ books are not a short read and The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere is over 400 pages long. Fantasy fans will love these longer texts full of adventure and magical action.

I highly recommend this novel to children 10 years and over.

Jane Moore