Elf Dog & Owl Head by M. T. Anderson

 

Yesterday, I finished reading Elf Dog & Owl Head by M. T. Anderson. This fantasy novel is about Clay, a boy who is quarantined with his family during a global plague. While outside playing frisbee, he meets an unusual little dog, Elphinore, who got trapped out of her home in the mountain. Having the ability to travel between worlds, Elphinore takes Clay through the woods to a village of owl-headed people where he steals a shaker of magical powder to help his mom grow her vegetable garden. After the shaker gets passed around the members of his family and causes a bizarre chain of events, an owl-head child, Amos, shows up two nights later to return the shaker to his village. Lonely, Clay decides to befriend Amos and, along with Elphinore, they go on magical adventures to visit the wonders within the forest. Curious about what Clay is up to, his sisters, DiRossi and Juniper, follow him. There are dangers in the woods, though, and they all must be careful to not get lost or caught by those who would seek to harm them.

I thought this novel was wonderful until the bittersweet ending. I truly did enjoy the adventures of Clay, Amos, Elphinore, DiRossi, and Juniper, though. I was so fascinated by the idea of a fantasy novel taking place during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that I couldn't resist checking this book out. I adored Clay's friendships with Elphinore and Amos and really hoped that their adventures wouldn't come to an end because of the People Under the Mountain or the owl-head elders. Dangerous people and creatures definitely added suspense to the story, despite the fact that there was humor at times. Additionally, Clay's relationship with his sisters was definitely very realistic, how they would fight over the computer and argue because they were sick and tired of being stuck with each other, unable to hang out with their friends due to the pandemic. I could imagine why they would all be so thrilled after discovering that the forest is magical even if it was risky to explore. Mixing the fantastical with the familiar, Elf Hound & Owl Head is a great choice for anyone who has ever wondered what could be hiding in the woods.