Saint Philomene's Infirmary for Magical Creatures

November 6, 2017
While digging in his Texas backyard, 12-year-old Chance Jeopard discovers (and punctures) a large ceramic pipe; inside, he finds a mysterious and important-seeming letter, then ventures into the pipe to deliver it. Chance’s journey lands him in the mail-sorting room of Saint Philomene’s Infirmary for Magical Creatures, an enormous subterranean hospital where supernatural creatures “could go if their bodies were being eaten by disease or their minds by melancholy or their population by viruses.” (Humans, however, are decidedly unwelcome.) After realizing Chance is missing, his scientifically minded older sister, Pauline, follows him; thanks to a magical fulgurite (fused from a lightning strike) that allows for telepathic communication, Pauline’s best friend Mersey assists the siblings from the world above as they uncover a plot to destroy the infirmary. Debut author Cotter’s third-person narration darts nimbly among Chance, Pauline, Mersey, and other characters, spinning a suspenseful and humorous adventure that will keep readers entertained throughout. An irreverent appendix adds to the fun, highlighting details about demons, fauxgres, harrow-teaguers, and dozens of other creatures that feature in this wholly enjoyable tale. Ages 10–14. Agent: Adam Eaglin, Cheney Agency.

November 1, 2017
Chance Bee Jeopard's summer goal is to dig the deepest hole in Starling, Texas.The hole is an impressive 7 1/2 feet deep when the 12-year-old white boy's shovel strikes a pipe, and out of the pipe flies an alarming letter. The 1.8 million patients and staff of the 955-year-old St. Philomene's Infirmary for Magical Creatures are in mortal danger. A human carrying a lethal virus is on the loose, and Chance must race to get the wayward letter, which contains the cure, to its addressee--the one inhabitant of St. Philomene's who can save the lives of every creature within. With the help of his skeptic sister, crimson-haired Pauline Dearie Jeopard, and her goth pal, Mersey Marsh (both are white), the risk-taking Chance knows he can do it. The infirmary is over 6,000 stories--nearly 10 miles--deep, a half-mile wide, and a half-mile long, and it is populated by both familiar supernatural creatures such as vampires, ghouls, and zombies and those specific to St. Philomene's cleverly drawn world, such as militant Balliopes, elflike Deviklopts, and resourceful Geckasofts. The omniscient narrator moves with ease among Chance, Pauline, Meresy, and several secondary characters. The infirmary's many species make up a diverse world, while aboveground, a few of Chance's friends have names that suggest they are children of color.A hilarious romp through a new underground world. (Fantasy. 8-14)

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January 1, 2018

Gr 5-8-Twelve-year-old Chance was never one to miss an opportunity to explore. So when his shovel broke open an enormous clay pipe at the bottom of the largest hole ever dug in Starling, TX, of course he stuck his arm in it-and ended up catching a letter addressed to a patient in the Saint Philomene's Infirmary for Magical Creatures. The letter disclosed a dastardly plot at the infirmary that endangers thousands of patients and staff. Unfortunately for Chance, Saint Philomene's Infirmary for Magical Creatures does not like humans. After all, the first human to find them carried a virulent disease which spread and killed hundreds of creatures. Chance will soon find out that despite his good intentions, almost every creature in Saint Philomene's will think he is a hazard to their health, and they will do everything they can to stop him. Luckily, Chance's older sister Pauline is on his trail and determined to rescue her brother. Chance and Pauline repel and evade creatures of all kinds in the infirmary's underground labyrinth. Their high-stakes adventure will leave readers breathless. VERDICT Nonstop action and a whacky hidden world with creatures both good and evil will make this a favorite for fantasy fans.-Gretchen Crowley, formerly at Alexandria City Public Libraries, VA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 15, 2017
Grades 4-7 At the bottom of a large hole in the backyard, Chance Bee Jeopard tester of limits brings his digging to a halt when his shovel accidentally punches through a large, old pipe. After putting his arm in to feel around, he intercepts a letter (curious!) blowing through on its way to someone, or something, in Saint Philomene's Infirmary for Magical Creatures (more curious!). Still in middle school, Chance doesn't yet possess the skepticism of his older sister, Pauline, so he readily accepts the existence of fantastic creatures and their subterranean hospital. His main concern is getting the letteran apparent matter of life and deathto its addressee. Unfortunately, he's misplaced the envelope, so he enters the pipe-wind tunnel to deliver it in person. The action never stops in Cotter's offbeat debut, which bursts with imagination and fascinating nonhumansthere's an appendix if you're mixing up your geckasoft and harrow-teaguer. A subplot adds even more urgency to the book's already furious pace, and the dynamic between Chance and Pauline will engage readers on an emotional level.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2018
Twelve-year-old Chance intercepts a letter that could save the inhabitants of a secret infirmary for magical creatures. Joined by his skeptical sister, Chance follows a hidden pipe to reach the subterranean hospital, where they work together to save the "nonhumans" and escape to the surface. A warm, genuine sibling relationship anchors this endearingly bizarre adventure featuring a unique setting and fantastic creatures.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)