The Hotel Balzaar

Praise

In this follow-up to The Puppets of Spelhorst, DiCamillo showcases the capacity for storytelling to soothe and inspire hope in a pithy, nuanced tale peppered with gentle humor and enduring grace. Striking illustrations by Sardà recall woodcutting and elegant art deco line art.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Generous, rich, and inviting.
—The Horn Book

A delightful, thoughtful escape to a magical world.
—Kirkus Reviews

This second entry in DiCamillo’s ‘Norendly Tales’ trilogy features charming black-and-white drawings from Sardà that bring the magic to life. Tied to the first volume with shared themes of love and loss, hope and despair, and darkness and light, this original fairy tale tells its own unique story, ultimately leaving readers with a hopeful message. . . . Enthusiastically recommended.
—School Library Journal

A slim and elegant book in which stories both enthrall and exasperate a young girl. . . Júlia Sardà’s line drawings have a cool, amused Art Deco feel, adding visual charm to this wise and gentle second volume of Ms. DiCamillo’s “Norendy Tales” series for readers ages 7-10.
—Wall Street Journal

In this magical companion to The Puppets of Spelhorst, two-time Newbery Medalist revisits the land of Norendy in an original fairytale about a lonely girl and a mysterious countess.
—Pioneer Press

Even longtime fans will be unprepared for the magic, mystery and lyricism of The Hotel Balzaar.
—Montreal Gazette

DiCamillo manages a tender concept while avoiding twee sentimentality, instead capturing the power of stories to not only reflect reality but also shape it.
—The Bulletin

DiCamillo’s writing is lyrical, as usual, and equal credit has to go to Sarda’s exquisite, detailed illustrations of the hotel lobby, the furniture and the Countess’ deco robes and huge hats that capture vibes of the 1920s.
—Pioneer Press

Kate DiCamillo weaves a story within a story about hope alive, even amid despair. . . A delightful book featuring Júlia Sardà’s line art illustrations.
—WORLD Magazine

DiCamillo’s spare story and Júlia Sardà’s black-and-white drawings conjure the atmosphere of a fairy tale and the yearning of a family divided by war.
—Christian Science Monitor

Kate DiCamillo is one of our best storytellers. She’s written beloved classics set in the modern world, from the best-selling Because of Winn-Dixie and Raymie Nightingale right up to this year’s sweet Ferris. She also writes…well, fables? Stories that are not quite in the modern world of cars and cell phones but aren’t quite full-blown fantasies either. Books like The Tale Of Despereaux and The Magician’s Elephant. And now she’s sharing what DiCamillo calls “Tales of Norendy.” Norendy is an almost mythical, but quite real setting. It’s just tinged by magic and stories are better there. Last year brought an instant classic with The Puppets Of Spelhorst. Now DiCamillo has done it again with The Hotel Balzaar, a charming tale about a little girl in a big hotel, a talking parrot, a sad mother, a missing father (the war, you know, will do that at times, misplace people), a wealthy countess, a kind bellman and the stories they tell. It’s a delight.
—Parade

Two-time Newberry winner DiCamillo returns with this delightful story about Marta, who lives at the titular hotel. Her mother works in housekeeping, and Marta spends her days talking to guests and roaming the halls. When she meets the countess and Blitzkopf the parrot, the magical stories she hears helps her to solve a painful mystery. Black-and-white drawings by Sardà create a Gothic atmosphere.
—Los Angeles Times