Where do you turn when the only adult who gets you, your grandpa, is gone, and the world seems to be in self-destruct mode?
On his 12th birthday Thomas runs away to the forest he used to visit with Grandpa. It is dying. Will saving it from a deadly parasite bring him closer to Grandpa or make his world safer? Before he can find out, he is enticed into a magical world under an attack of a different kind.
Welcomed by a garden of thinking and talking plants, creatures with mental telepathy, tree-climbing and nature-loving beings, Thomas conquers the stinging, prickly hedge that guards the portal to this alternate world. At last, a place where he fits in. A place that needs him. But what about his and Grandpa’s forest?
The riveting first entry in The Terracolina Trilogy’s middle-grade magical realism series features talking plants, a telepathic gardener, and a nymph-girl who speaks in rhymes. Thomas’s sense of wonder and adventure will inspire young readers, and offer a nature lover’s “place to belong—soothing and enchanting.”
I loved this novel, which drew me into an amazing world. We meet Thomas who’s grieving the loss of his grandpa and feeling all alone. So, he goes into the forest where they used to have all sorts of adventures. And that’s where Thomas discovers a secret garden world in danger. He meets new friends and finds his purpose in saving this incredible place.
Kessler’s storytelling is awesome. She brings the forest’s inhabitants vividly to life. And the ending is so emotional, it’s really touching. It inspires readers of all ages to cherish and protect the natural world around us. Terracolina is bursting with imagination and heart. It’s the kind of magical story that reminds you that dreams can come true.
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I mean, you’ve sold me already! And I mean you’ve sold ME! I’d love for my kids to read this, but if they don’t I certainly will!
I love this so much. Books like this are what got me so interested in reading when I was young, and I’ve never looked back. Anything with magic can really capture a kid’s imagination.
Oh wow, talking plants! Love it or I would have loved this as a kid!
Sounds like this book deals with a lot of emotions. Books like this are great to help young people learn how to deal with stuff going on in their lives.
Sounds like this Terracolina book is great. Interesting, I will check this out later for sure!
This seems sooooo cool!!! And the graphic is gorgeous…I will check it out for sure.
This is a beautiful book review. It made me feel and see the garden and Thomas’ actions there.
This sounds like a very touching and beautiful book to read. Things like loss are always very difficult to navigate.
This sounds like an awesome kid’s book. I love the world featured in it with talking plants.
I love nature based fantasy/ magic so this sounds like such a lovely story. I’m partial to a middle grade book myself and this sounds great x
This sounds like such a great read and I love collecting kids books to add to my children’s library. This is the perfect addition!
You had me when you said, “She brings the forest’s inhabitants vividly to life. And the ending is so emotional, it’s really touching. It inspires readers of all ages to cherish and protect the natural world around us.”
I love a good book filled with emotions and a great ending. Thanks for the book review
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