Ice Apprentices

As a stray, or outsider, living in Tundra—the last human community in a world of ice and snow— transgender 13-year-old Oswin Fields faces “resentment no one has dealt with since the Great Freeze” and is considered a drain on resources best left for native Tundrans. Nevertheless, he’s invited to study magic in Corridor, an institution in which ice apprentices train to protect Tundra and ensure the community’s survival. There, Oswin discovers that his uncle was an infamous traitor. Worse still, there’s no mercy for strays at the already dangerous school, which is beset by bizarre monster attacks shortly after Oswin’s arrival. Tentatively befriending gender-fluid gadgeteer Maury Craftwright and prickly, privileged Ennastasia Barkmoth, Oswin attempts to unravel the mysteries surrounding Corridor, the attacks, and his own shadowed heritage, including why a disembodied voice keeps commanding him to “steal the ghost.” Gritty atmospheric prose by debut author North renders inventive elemental magic alongside Tundra’s lore and challenging living conditions, for strays and natives alike. The easy and much-needed camaraderie Oswin finds among the memorable characters, who are described as having varying skin tones, adds heart to this chilling page-turner. Ages 8–12. Agent: Silvia Molteni, Peters Fraser + Dunlop Literary. (Feb.)