Robert Hewitt Wolfe's THE GOBLIN CROWN, the first in his series called Billy Smith and the Goblins, rises to the top of the list of young adult novels I've read this year. A number of things set this adventure tale apart from others including a diverse cast and multiple well-done points of view.

Billy Smith has always felt like an outsider. He's half African American and half Irish, but that tells only part of the story; something has always made him feel different. The first day at a new school proves no exception. Filled with embarrassments including an encounter after school that leaves Billy and new friend, Lexi, running from Kurt, the quarterback of the football team. But then they end up in the land of goblins.

The goblins have been fighting a war, and General Sawtooth wants to continue it. Prophecy says that a goblin king will come in goblins' greatest need, and when the light pulses on the crown saying the king has arrived, Sawtooth takes the opportunity to crown himself. But Hop, a timid and smart goblin has other plans. He wants to find the new king and put things to right.

Wolfe tells the story from numerous points of view, so we're introduced to Billy and his pals, but also indoctrinated into goblin society complete with language and cultural references including song lyrics and a glossary at the back of the book for reference. The book contains some violence which won't be appropriate for very young readers, but for the most part, it's a story to be enjoyed by young and older adults alike. Wolfe deftly incorporates lessons of acceptance, forgiveness and diversity in this adventure, but not in any kind of preachy way. It's good rollicking fun infused with life teachings that won't hurt any of us to read again and again. I look forward to the next book in this series. It's clear that Wolfe can make the transition from screen to page with ease.