The Hotel Balzaar
by Kate DiCamillo (Candlewick, 2024); audiobook read by Allan Corduner (Listening Library, 2024)
DiCamillo tells tales within tales in this dreamy MG novella, the old world hotel playing host both to the young protagonist’s imagination and desperate sadness, and to stories hinting at genuine magic. Blitzkoff the parrot adds a final, endearing touch of whimsy.