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Cover of Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo

348 pages

A wildly inventive, quirky romp through the very fabric of human imagination and dreams.

What it feels like

Reading this book feels like stepping into a wonderfully chaotic dream where the rules of reality are gleefully tossed out the window. The narrative moves at a brisk, energetic clip, pulling you through a world bursting with bizarre creatures, wisecracking sidekicks, and absurdist humor. Beneath the zany surface and playful, inventive prose lies a deeply earnest core about the necessity of hope and the courage it takes to believe in your own potential. The atmosphere is consistently wondrous and slightly off-kilter, wrapping the reader in a whimsical embrace. It is a perfect fit for anyone who delights in eccentric, fast-paced fantasy adventures that champion the boundless power of the human imagination.

Mood
  • dreamlike
  • chaotic
  • adventurous
  • wondrous
Tone
  • whimsical
  • quirky
  • humorous
  • absurdist
  • earnest
Pace
brisk
Themes
power of imagination · finding one's destiny · overcoming self-doubt · unlikely friendships · the necessity of dreams
The writing
Playful and highly inventive, filled with bizarre vocabulary, humorous asides, and a conversational narrative voice.
The arc
Moves from the bleakness of a neglected, mundane life into a chaotic, wondrous awakening of self-belief and extraordinary purpose.
Who it's for
Middle-grade readers who crave zany, fast-paced adventures packed with eccentric sidekicks and boundless imagination.
Content notes
  • mild fantasy violence
  • cartoonish child neglect
  • bullying

About the book

Fourteen-year-old Leven Thumps (a.k.a. "Lev") lives a wretched life in Burnt Culvert, Oklahoma. But his life is about to change and his destiny be fulfilled as he learns about a secret gateway that bridges two worlds -- the real world and Foo, a place created at the beginning of time in the folds of the mind that makes it possible for mankind to dream and hope, aspire and imagine. But Foo is in chaos, and three transplants from that dreamworld have been sent to retrieve Lev, who alone has the power to save Foo.

Enter Clover, a wisecracking, foot-high sidekick; Winter, a girl with a special power of her own; and Geth, the rightful heir to Foo. Their mission: to convince Lev that he has the power to save Foo. Can this unique band of travelers help Lev overcome his doubt? Will Lev find the gateway in time? Or will Sabine and his dark shadows find the gateway first and destroy mankind?

Description from Open Library.

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