The Snowman Code

In this warm children’s debut by Stephenson (Sometimes People Die, for adults), the longest winter in more than 300 years leads to a tween encountering a sentient snowperson. To avoid bullies, 10-year-old Blessing ditches school, passing the time by traversing the streets of London. She feels that this is the only solution to her problem, since she believes that she can’t ask her mother for help; because Mom gets sad in the winter, Blessing worries that her finding out about the bullies could make Mom so sad that she’ll be hospitalized again. During her wanderings, the youth discovers a lopsided snowperson with bottle-cap eyes and a potato nose—an icy being that, to her shock, can talk. Snowman Albert informs her that he has lived through 627 winters, often being reborn several times around the world within a standard year. According to the Snowman Code, he must help children in need, and Blessing requires aid—and so does Albert. Nature-centered whimsy and the duo’s interpersonal banter brighten a somber plot that also touches on issues surrounding depression. Digitally rendered b&w illustrations by Brown (Specs) depict a racially diverse human cast across charming winter scenes. Ages 8–12. (Dec.)