Hippomobile!

There are many stories about kid crusaders who save something, but none like this one. With steampunk, tall tale, and just plain silly elements, the story of how ten-year-old twins Jimmy and Stella found out about the unique vehicle called the hippomobile, learned its history, and then used it to rescue their beloved town of Wymore is an original variant on a tried and true theme. A cast of wildly eccentric characters, most of whom are the twins’ forty-seven grandmas and grandpas; a liberal sprinkling of diner slang and odd colloquial phrases, many explained in footnotes; and a sense that the events described never took place but could have are among the surprising ingredients of this unconventional creation. The fact that there really was a hippomobile with its own history doesn’t interfere with the fun.

Two kids. Forty-seven grandparents. One impossible plan to save the only home they’ve ever known.

• Steampunk Adventure: When ten-year-old twins Jimmy and Stella discover a bizarre, three-wheeled vehicle called a hippomobile, they hatch a wild plan to get it running again.
• Heartwarming Found Family: With forty-seven eccentric grandmas and grandpas as their only allies, the twins have to rally the entire town to their cause.
• Sibling Story: Jimmy and Stella don’t always agree, but this brother and sister duo will have to work together if they want to save Wymore from disappearing off the map.
• Tall Tale Humor: Filled with hilarious diner slang, footnotes for odd phrases, and a story that feels like it could have happened… but probably didn’t.