Author mixes fantasy, reality in ‘Stork’

Sixteen-year-old Katla Leblanc has a lot of adjusting to do.

Her parents have divorced. She has moved from L.A. to a small town in Minnesota. And she has just found out she’s the youngest member of the Icelandic Stork Society, a group of older women with special powers that enable them to place the souls of babies into a mother of their choice.

Katla’s stunned that she would be inducted so suddenly into the society, but the Storks’ leader, Hulda, says all the signs are there. Now Katla must recognize signs for herself, as well as learn the ways of the Storks.

That’s a lot of learning for a teenager new to town. But Katla’s got more on her plate. She’s missing her father, who’s in another state, and her mother’s dating a new man. Great.

School isn’t going much better. A bad date with the uber popular Wade makes her a target and Jack, on whom she has a small crush, seems to be giving her the cold shoulder. His cryptic conversations with her leave her feeling like she’s missing something, and little does she know that she is. Her family has kept a secret from her for a long time, and Katla’s the only one in town who doesn’t know.

Wendy Delsol’s debut novel, “Stork,” mixes reality and fantasy in a young adult story of magic and destiny. Delsol weaves Norse mythology throughout the novel, which encompasses more than just a fairy tale. Teen readers also should be able to relate to Katla’s struggle with her parents’ divorce and adjustment to a new school.

At times the writing is heavy on the name-dropping. Katla’s fascinated with fashion, and her obsession with brands borders on obnoxious.

I dressed in jeans I’d slashed and then lined with polka-dot panels, a Michael Stars tank top layered over a thermal T, a silver Burberry quilted jacket, three black crosses, and a Cole Haan turquoise belt. I sat down at the kitchen island to a bowl of Kashi Nuggets and my mom’s scrutiny.

Yikes, did someone get an endorsement deal?

But, as always, what’s annoying to adults can capture a teen’s attention, which mostly will be held by the mystery and young love found in "Stork."