Can a book read you to life?
Cornelia Funke’s beloved fantasy, “Inkheart,” is a must-have for any middle-grade library, offering a breathtaking adventure for readers aged 10 and up. We are introduced to Meggie and her father, Mo, a bookbinder with an extraordinary and dangerous gift: when he reads aloud, characters can be pulled from their stories into our world, and real people can be sent into the pages of a book. This incredible power has already cost their family dearly, and when a sinister figure from a book called Inkheart tracks them down, they are launched into a desperate quest to protect themselves and rewrite a tragic past. Funke crafts a narrative that is both a thrilling adventure and a profound love letter to the very act of reading.
“Inkheart” has garnered numerous awards and has been translated into dozens of languages, a testament to its universal appeal. This book is an essential addition to any classroom because it champions the very purpose of a library: to open doors to other worlds. It will stay with readers long after the final page is turned, not just for its gripping plot, but for the way it validates their own love of stories. “Inkheart” powerfully reminds us that books are not just objects; they are portals, and reading is the most magical act of all.
Before becoming a bestselling writer, Funke worked as a social worker and illustrator, experiences that have deeply influenced her enchanting and empathetic storytelling.She is the creative mind behind other beloved children’s fantasies such as “The Thief Lord” and “Dragon Rider.” Her work has captivated a global audience, selling millions of copies and earning numerous accolades, cementing her reputation as a masterful weaver of fantasy tales.
