City of Names

by Kevin Brockmeier

When Howie Quackenbush mysteriously receives a book entitled The Secret Guide to North Mellwood, which shows him how to transport himself anywhere in the town by touching a secret portal, he soon discovers a secret world hidden deep within the town.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult

133 pages, Hardcover

First published May 27, 2002

About the author

Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Brockmeier received his MFA from the Iowa Writer's Workshop in 1997. His stories have been featured in The New Yorker, McSweeney's, Crazyhorse, and The Georgia Review. He is the recipient of an O. Henry Award, the Nelson Algren Award, and a National Endowment of the Arts grant.

Reviews

[Jacquelyn]

My nine-year-old asked immediately upon finishing it if there was a sequel. She and my seven-year-old both found it very entertaining—we finished it in just five days.

[10-11 Adrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a boy in school who orders a book and instead of getting what he ordered he got something completely different.In the book he got was a map of his town.On the buildings on the map are names that let him use the book right.As he reads the book he finds out something about certain places in the map.What he doesn't know is that he will be bouncing around town.When he does know everything completely his life will change forever.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned about true names in this book, and I'm interested to know more and see if there's any other books involving this. I liked it, but wished they would put more about Larry Boone. I wonder if he's immortal...The part with Mike Channering ended too abrupt, ending with only a gesture of friendship by picking up Howie's ball and not appearing for the rest of the book.

[Ellice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was Kevin Brockmeier's first published book, and it seems like it. It's a little clunky, though it has moments of humor and charm. Worth a read, but not as good as either Grooves: A Kind of Mystery (his other children's book), or any of his work for adults.

[Glynnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Joanie for telling me about Kevin Brockmeier! I want to read them all.

[Madison · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a kind of stupid book!

[Abbie]

this was the wierdest book i ever read...

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the way Kevin Brockmeier approaches storytelling