They Threw Us Away (The Teddies Saga #1) #BookReview

Welcome to The Teddies Saga, a gripping new middle grade trilogy from New York Times-bestselling author Daniel Kraus.

When Buddy wakes up in the middle of a garbage dump, filled with a certain awareness: he’s a teddy bear; he spent time at a Store waiting for his future to begin; and he is meant for the loving arms of a child. Now he knows one more thing: Something has gone terribly wrong.

Soon he finds other discarded teddies―Horace, Sugar, Sunny, and Reginald. They aren’t sure how their luck soured. All agree that they need to get back to the Store if they’re ever to fulfill their destinies. So, they embark on a perilous trek across the dump and into the outer world. With ravenous rats, screeching gulls, and a menacing world in front of them, the teddies will need to overcome insurmountable challenges to find their way home.

Equal parts Toy Story and Lord of the Flies, They Threw Us Away is the unforgettable start of a captivating series.

Title: They Threw Us Away | Author: Daniel Kraus |Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.| Pub. Date: 15 September 2020 | Pages: 256 | ISBN: 9781250224408 | Genre: Horror | Language: English |  Source: Received a copy from publisher for review consideration | Starred Review

They Threw Us Away Review

Daniel Kraus, author of the recent books The Living Dead and Bent Heavens among others, starts a new horror trilogy. Marketed towards middle grade readers, readers of all ages will find enjoyment in this first installment of The Teddies Saga.

Kraus is careful to create unique and curious characters when it comes to the teddies. Buddy and all the rest have a particular way of speaking; it is endearing, and a little silly at times. Bright, fuzzy beginnings and quaint speech mark the start of this journey. Buddy and his new-found friends find themselves in a precarious situation as this coming of age tale takes off. “Coming of age” may be an odd way to describe this, but it has many of the hallmarks of a bildungsroman. Buddy and his friends are innocents and, when the world is thrust upon them, they must adapt and change as needed.

Horror plays a large role in this journey. There are some frightening situations written in such a way that very few readers will escape unscathed. Interspersed with the tale of the teddies, are chilling origin tales of the Furringtons. These transitions are handled well and the excellent illustrations throughout add depth to an already rich tale.

I’ve previously read some of Kraus’s adult fiction and it’s wonderful to see his talent extend to other styles as well. This book is a great choice for younger readers, or perhaps the whole family to read together. I sat down and read it over the course of a day or two, all the while thinking I absolutely needed to purchase a copy to read aloud to my kids. At 8 and 11, I think they will both have fun with it and I will enjoy sharing a section of the book with them each night.

  You can find this book at many retailers via clicking on the appropriate link on Goodreads; however, in the spirit of supporting literacy programs, we would like to point out that you may be able to purchase this book through BetterWorldBooks.