A Flicker of Courage

Tales of Triumph and Disaster! #1

by Deb Caletti

Printz Award Honoree and National Book Award finalist Deb Caletti debuts in middle grade with a tongue-in-cheek hero's journey set in a town full of magic, mayhem, lighthouses... and evil.

The story takes place in a world much like ours, but at the same time not at all like ours, in which Vlad Luxor--a capricious, vain, infantile tyrant--rules over a town with an iron fist. He's an emperor with no clothes, but woe is the person who points that out--they could wind up turned into a squirrel or lizard or who knows what! For in this world, the evil leader also has magic, which he uses to punish anyone who speaks out against him.

But in every classic tale with a despicable villain, there must also be a truly noble hero--in this case, four of them! Henry, Apollo, Pirate Girl, and JoJo must be their most brave and clever to break the spell Vlad Luxor has cast on Apollo's brother, Rocco. For we can't have Rocco remain a naked lizard for the rest of his life, now can we?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure, Childrens, Action, Juvenile

256 pages, Hardcover

Published January 7, 2020

About the author

Deb Caletti is the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of over twenty books for adults and young adults, including Honey, Baby, Sweetheart, a finalist for the National Book Award, and A Heart in a Body in the World, a Michael L. Printz Honor Book. Her books have also won the Josette Frank Award for Fiction, the Washington State Book Award, and numerous other state awards and honors, and she was a finalist for the PEN USA Award. She lives with her family in Seattle.

Reviews

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook and was absolutely caught up in it. It would be a wonderful read-aloud harkening back to an old-fashioned adventure fantasy story. But if I were to make a more modern comparison, it reminded me of The Tale of Desperaux, a lighter and less scary Stranger Things, and a dash of Dangerous Book for Boys or Daring Book for Girls.

It involves four kids, a dog, a brother turned lizard, a tyrant, a sea captain, and a beautiful librarian. It's a battle between good and evil. And, hopefully, the second installment is being worked on since I can't wait to read more.

Apparently, the physical copy has illustrations so I should grab a copy to look at them.

[Gloria · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I tried to like Flicker Of Courage, I couldn’t. Everything about this book should be something I love: fantasy, a vain and evil magician, a ragtag team of kids working together to defeat the magician. Unfortunately, even with all those plot devices, I found the book boring. I can’t imagine the kid I would recommend this book too. I know there are some out there, but it would be a very specific type of kid.

[Amanda Hallam-Taillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My family listened to this audiobook in the car and we enjoyed it very much. Good for middle graders and up. A great tale of magic, family, and overcoming your own misgivings, it was laugh out loud funny in spots and endearing in others. Def recommend. My kids have already requested book 2. Pirate Girl is our fav.

[Brent · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

I gave this book the 50 page trial. The story did not feel like it was moving fast enough for my liking. It was very bogged down by world building and character introduction. The satirical element I thought was not utilized very well.

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle-grade chicanery in a world led by a Trumpish fool, apt to turn little boys into naked lizards if they take too much of the spotlight from himself.

Hard to reconcile Caletti's name on the cover. This is bonkers away from her usual pensive, funny romances.

[kerrycat]

SLJ RTC

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky cast of characters and plot.

[claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing about was great. The pictures were kind of annoying and did nothing to help the story

[Liz Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both of my kids enjoyed (me reading) this one!!

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to read to primary aged kids.

[Wendy Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stopped reading after 61 pages. It wasn't bad, it just didn't keep my interest.

[Berit · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a duology - I read the second one for the WTBBL. I thought it was really sweet - great message and fun to read. I'd recommend this to a middle reader for sure.