The Barrel in the Basement

About the Book

This is a story about furkens, descendants of a branch of genus elf, who have lost their elfin powers of being able to vanish and now hide fearfully in human houses. They are sadly often mistaken for mice, although don't smell like mice. They smell like warm apricot jam!

They are "endearing, fully developed creatures," says Horn Book.

ALA Booklist adds, "A tale that will have readers clamoring for a sequel."

About the Author

Barbara Brooks Wallace was born in China where her father was a businessman with Socony. She is the author of many books for children. She is noted particularly for her victorian mysteries often described by reviewers as ?Dickensian?.

Four of these books have been nominated and two have won the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Awards.