In Pamella A. Russell’s children’s chapter book, a young girl finds an old barrel on the beach with strange noises coming from it. Wanting to explore it further, she brings it home, unaware the barrel contains a mythical elfin-like figure—who is alive.

Eleven-year-old Holly is the newest foster child in her family. Along with three other children, she finds love and stability with Ma and Pop Spears. The morning after Holly finds the barrel, strange events occur: Flour is spread across the kitchen floor with traces of a small, solitary footprint, along with other perplexities. After Holly tells her siblings she has seen two glowing red eyes in a corner of the barn, they investigate. Suddenly, a whirlwind kicks up, revealing a one-legged elf with a red cap and pipe. He introduces himself as Saci and later reveals he’s a character from Brazilian folklore, and indeed loves mischief making.

Then one day, Mr. Drudge, owner of a failing antique shop, walks into the barn seeking objects to sell on commission for Ma Spears. The kids hide Saci in the barrel and refuse to show it to Mr. Drudge when he spots it. Later, when the barrel goes missing, they know Mr. Drudge is the thief—and unknowingly has Saci. The plot continues with action and humor, unfolding seamlessly.

Russell does a lovely job giving the children’s characters various quirks and qualities, revealing a bit about their traumatic childhoods. And some descriptions are lovely: “There was a healing quality to the rhythmic sound of the waves smacking against the sand, to the seagulls raucously calling out to each other, to the loneliness, the stillness, and the peace.” With Saci’s innocence, playfulness and humor, readers will surely want more adventures with Saci.

Holly, a 12-year-old foster child, lives in a rural part of Maryland’s Eastern shore, featuring beaches, marshes, boats and the Chesapeake Bay. Writing is where she finds strength and refuge. One day at the beach, she uncovers a small barrel that contains Saci, a brown, elf-like creature with a potbelly and eyes that glow red when he is angry. Saci is a shapeshifter and a mischievous trickster with a magical red cap. In old folklore told by black slaves in Brazil, he pranked the masters of sugar plantations.

In this story on the Maryland farm, he causes the cows to stop giving milk, the hens to stop laying eggs, and the knitting to come unraveled. He also braids the tails of two horses together. All of this upsets Holly’s foster mom, a Bible-quoting, kind Christian woman. The book mixes some Christian symbolism with the Brazilian folklore. Along with the three other foster children in the home (Ashely, Drew and Ethan), Holly tries to figure out what to do about all this chaos. Then a mean, menacing antiques dealer shows up at the barn and foils their plans. What follows is a fun and lively adventure to protect Saci and the four kids.

We find out just how brave, resourceful, smart and kind Holly is. In the end, the kids learn about loyalty, friendship and miracles. Life is unpredictable, as Saci says. The ending would have been better if it had been more developed and extended further as it left me wanting more. We see the immediate outcome of the adventure, but not how their lives will change as a result of it.

Russell is a skilled writer with a good sense of what kids will like. She definitely succeeds in offering an entertaining and enjoyable story for kids. The inclusion of Saci gives her storytelling a valuable, unique element that is probably new to most American readers. This story is short and could probably benefit from a deeper, longer exploration of all four foster kids and their different identities. Getting to know more about these characters would allow readers to care even more about them. The dialog is written well and is serviceable. Overall, this book is a very engaging and fun read. Without hesitation, I’d recommend it for kids ages 6-10.

Book review by Carol Anderson, D.Min., ACSW

"Suddenly, an eerie whistling emerged from the barrel, like someone mourning for the dead and exhaling the sound through shadowy graveyards."

This delightful story revolves around four foster care children who have hit the jackpot in living with Mom and Pop Spears, after having gone through a variety of traumas that led to social services involvement. The Spears offer love and support and embrace the various needs of the kids. This blended family includes one girl with ADHD, an African American boy who struggles with self-esteem issues, another very lonesome boy, and the natural leader of the group—Holly. Additionally, the family includes pets and barnyard animals. Holly makes a discovery and shares it with her siblings, but they keep it secret, especially as a local merchant steals a certain barrel. This barrel houses Saci, a mischievous elflike trickster who has been sowing havoc everywhere he goes. The adventure keeps the kids busy and bonds them closer. But what is Saci up to? He’s stuck back in the barrel.

Written for ages nine through twelve, the story is based on Brazilian folklore, which examines people, culture, family, and language, with Saci as one of the native tricksters. Written with humor, the adventure is fun and entertaining. It teaches children that goodness can happen out of sorrow and hurt, and joy can still be found in the world. It also teaches how differences based on skin color, disabilities, and abilities—and all other things that make an individual unique—need to be embraced by everyone. The tale relates to everyone, not just to children, for humanity is birthed in such lore. Russell has penned a special book that everyone can enjoy while also learning about compassion and love. It helps broaden the definition of what it means to be a family.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review