Goblin Secrets by William Alexander

FIRE DRAGON PROP!!
And the goblin looks
 like a zombie...

Zombay is an odd town, split into two by a powerful river. While the north side of town is orderly and neat, the south side is disorganized and often frightening; it is also where the witch Graba makes her home. Rownie is one of her kids, a pack of ragtag orphans and runaways who do the witch's bidding. In his search for his missing older brother lands him in the middle of a troupe of acting goblins, a friendly but strange little group. It also lands him on the wrong side of Graba's temper.

Sort of fantasy, sort of steampunk, Goblin Secrets is a quirky, strange story that is reminescent of the movies Labyrinth and Dark Crystal or the book Howl's Moving Castle. While I really did like this story, and it definitely a memorable tale that sticks with you, I was also left with a lot of questions. I mean. A lot. I hope Alexander's next book that takes place in this world will be a little more revealing. Again, it's probably most suited for those who fall in the tween years, so the audience may be a little limited. The plot and details will whoosh over most younger kids' heads (minus the uber-advanced ones) and it might not hold the attention of older teens.