The Door at the End of the World by Caroline Carlson
Published by HarperCollins on April 9th 2019
ISBN: 0062368303
Pages: 304
Goodreads

The Door at the End of the World  is a fun, middle grade fantasy novel. Eight worlds, each with distinct cultures and landscapes, are accessible through gates maintained by Interworld Travel Gatekeepers. When the gate to Southeast becomes stuck shut with the Gatekeeper on the wrong side of the door, it is up to thirteen-year-old Gatekeeper’s Deputy Lucy Eberslee to safeguard the fabrics of time and space. Written in a good versus evil format, the three teenage protagonists, assisted by a group of magical bees, prevail. Lucy and Rosemary are strong female characters who often take the lead with their cleverness and resourcefulness; comic relief is provided by Arthur’s otherworld naiveté. The writing is swift and the plot quick moving, with plenty of action and suspense to engage readers. There are no overly shocking twists, and the overall arch of the plot is largely expected. The Door at the End of the World is a good choice for readers who are not ready and/or interested for more sophisticated fantasy storylines. Middle grade readers who are looking for a fun, uncomplicated, light fantasy will enjoy this read.

Reviewed by Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library, Cumberland