The Islands of Chaldea - Tapa dura

"The best children's writer of the last 40 years."--Neil Gaiman, author of Coraline

"Earwig is a plucky, albeit bossy, heroine, and the story is packed with wit and humor."--School Library Journal

"Readers are treated to a nonstop plot, memorable characters, and signature DWJ touches. ... For younger readers, a worthy introduction to the delights of the late, lamented master fantasist."--The Horn Book

"Only in an unorthodox children's book does a girl hope that she won't be ... taken away from the orphanage. But then, Earwig isn't your typical orphan. ... An amusing story in which it takes hard work as well as magic and cleverness to bring about a happy ending."--Booklist

"In the realm of other-world fantasy, this season's gem is the late Diana Wynne Jones's The Islands of Chaldea, completed by Ursula Jones. Humour, wisdom and inventive genius suffuse the tale . . . challenging readers' minds while creating a full world of sympathetic characters."--Toronto Star

"Beautiful and intricate...A strong, elegant fantasy [that] will linger with readers."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Praise for Earwig and the Witch: "This funny story updates fairy tale conventions while highlighting Jones's subversive wit. ... A fine introduction to the author's more complex YA novels."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)