For your next literary voyage forget Wonderland, and come to UnLondon!

Deeba and Zanna have discovered a portal in a London housing project basement that can transport them to a place where the city’s garbage and outcasts reside- UnLondon- London’s “abcity.”  Strange objects and signals, and a very talkative book belonging to UnLondon’s Propheseers have named Zanna the chosen one, or the Shwazzy, who will rescue the abcity from the Smog which threatens to poison and kill all of UnLondon’s inhabitants. Before Zanna can even complete the mission she chooses not to accept, the girls are returned to London, and their bizarre experience seems but a dream- until Deeba stumbles upon a mysterious link between the London she knows and the UnLondon she now feels compelled to return. Only Deeba knows the real reason why UnLondon is in even greater danger than its inhabitants originally thought. But how will she- a twelve-year old from a London housing project, the true Shwazzy’s funny friend, the UnShwazzy- convince UnLondoners that they are being tricked by an evil force posing to be benevolent? Luckily, a half-ghost named Hemi and an animated milk carton named Curdle have joined her crusade, but even with her two best allies she still needs more help to warn UnLondon and escape the Smog’s minions. Her journey is filled with narrow escapes from death, the most bizarre citizens, and one mysterious UnGun.

UN LUN DUNis an imaginative and fresh novel that is filled with great classic themes such as friendship, mistaken personas, (false) prophesy, and heroism. The book also alludes to the threat of pollution and how it affects political attitudes and actions. From the first chapter readers will be captivated by Meivilles’ original and witty writing, all the while feeling as surprised as Deeba by the unique cast of characters and bizarre but entertaining scenarios. UN LUN DUN is like an updated and edgy version of Alice in Wonderland and is a wonderful reminder that even the most unlikely characters can be heroes, or heroines. Grade 3 and up.


Mieville, China. (2007). UN LUN DUN. New York: Del Rey Books, an imprint of Random House
ISBN: 978-0-345-45844-5
Cover art from Random House, http://www.randomhouse.com/