The Stone Girl's Story

Starred review from February 26, 2018
Featuring a richly diverse cast, vividly imagined worldbuilding, and passionate storytelling, Durst’s middle grade fantasy is a feast for the senses. Readers are immersed into the world of Mayka, who has lived on the mountain above the great city of Skye with her stone friends from the time her flesh-and-blood father carved her from stone. After his death, the stories and life force carved into the stone of Mayka’s friends begins to fade. In search of a stonemason to recarve their marks, the lifelike girl pushes past her comfort zone and travels to Skye with two flying stone friends, opening herself up to the people and places beyond her mountain. On the journey she learns secrets of her father’s past—and new ways to care for her chosen family. A storyteller at heart, Mayka is introduced to an entirely new world, one filled with frightening experiences and unexpected joys. Those she encounters—both flesh and stone—challenge her views of reality, encouraging her to reassess her perspectives to become even more accepting. Mayka’s strong independent streak is both celebrated and tempered by the satisfaction of working as part of a team. Durst presents engaging fantastical situations alongside ideas about how histories evolve and whose stories are told, in a gently thoughtful manner. Ages 10–up. Agent: Andrea Somberg, Harvey Klinger.