Legends of Lotus Island by Christina Soontornvat

Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test

Christina Soontornvat, Author

Kevin Hong, Illustrator

Scholastic Press, Fiction, Mar. 7. 2023

Suitable for ages: 8-12

Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Myths, Legends, Nature, Magical Creatures  

Book Jacket Synopsis:

On an island like no other, an incredible adventure begins.

Young Plum is shocked to discover that she’s been accepted to the Guardian Academy on Lotus Island, an elite school where kids learn how to transform into Guardians, magical creatures who are sworn to protect the natural world. The Guardian masters teach Plum and her friends how to communicate with animals and how to use meditation to strengthen their minds and bodies. All the kids also learn to fight, so they can protect the defenseless if needed.

To her dismay, Plum struggles at school. While her classmates begin to transform into amazing creatures, Plum can’t even seem to magic up a single feather! If she can’t embrace her inner animal form soon, she’ll have to leave school ― and lose the first group of real friends she’s ever known.

Why I like this book:

Christina Soontornvat has written a captivating new middle grade fantasy series for readers who love animals, nature and want to protect our planet. It is packed with kid-appeal.

The story is set in the Santipap Islands. (Check out the map in the front of the book) Plum, has lived her entire life with her grandparents on Little Island, where she helps with the gardening. She loves the feel of digging her hands into the moist soil. She scoops up the plump worms and asks them the best place to plant her favorite vegetables and chai-melons.  Even her goat understands her. She has a way with plants and animals. When she receives news that she’s been selected to train at the Guardian Academy, she reluctantly goes. At first, she feels like a farm girl compared to some the other students. She endures their teasing. But as her training progresses, she realizes that she has gifts and talents that come naturally, as do some very unlikely friendships.  

The plot is enchanting, full of wonder and mystery. And there is tension as Plum and her new friends train hard to embrace their own special inner powers and connect with their Guardian forms. This is their first test and they must transform into a magical creature, or return home.    

This series is perfect for readers who are just moving from chapter books into middle grade books, which can be quite daunting when they are 300+ pages. Legends os Lotus Island is 160 pages, and peppered with lovely pen and ink illustrations by Kevin Hong, which help readers visualize the action.  Soontornvat manages to write shorter chapters, without compromising the depth of her well-developed and fast-moving story.

Prediction: This new series will be a winner among readers. And they will be teased with the inclusion of an excerpt from Legends of Lotus Island: Into the Shadow Mist, which will be released July 18.

Christina Soontornvat is the bestselling author of two Newbery Honor books, A Wish in the Dark, and All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team. She is also the author of The Last Mapmaker, and Scholastic’s beloved fantasy series Diary of an Ice Princess, as well as the picture books, The Ramble Shamble Children, and To Change a Planet.  As a child, Christina spent most of her time at her parents’ Thai restaurant with her nose stuck in a book. These days, she loves nothing better than spending a day hiking and swimming in the creeks and swimming holes around Austin, Texas, with her husband and two daughters. You can learn more about her work at her website.

Greg Pattridge hosts Marvelous Middle Grade Monday posts on his wonderful Always in the Middle website. Check out the link to see all of the wonderful reviews by KidLit bloggers and authors.

*Reviewed from a purchased copy.

 

The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol by Arthur A. Levine

Hanukkah Celebrated Nightfall Dec. 10 – Dec. 18, 2020

The Hanukkah Magic of Nate Gadol

Arthur A. Levine, Author

Kevin Hawkes, Illustrator

Candlewick Press, Fiction, Sep. 8, 2020

Suitable for ages: 5-8

Themes: Hanukkah, Jewish holidays, Holiday hero, Myths, Immigrant families, Faith and Holiday joy

Opening: “Nate Gadol was a great big spirit who had eyes as shy as golden coins and a smile that was lantern-bright. In answer to people’s prayers, he made things last as long as they needed to.”

Publisher’s Synopsis:

Nate Gadol is a generous spirit whose magic can make things last exactly as long as they’re needed, like a tiny bit of oil that must stretch for eight days and nights and a flower that needs to stay fresh long after it should to cheer someone ailing. Perhaps there is a brother and a sister with only one piece of chocolate. Voilà! Nate will turn it into two pieces, or even three. And if a family is short one latke, or one candle — or needs a very long note to end a happy song.  Nate is there!

When the Glaser family immigrates to the United States in 1881, their first Hanukkah looks like it will be a meager one. And their neighbors are struggling too, with money scarce and Christmas around the corner. Even Santa’s spirits are running low because people are struggling and having trouble believing. Nate and Santa work behind the scenes together. Luckily, Nate Gadol has enough magic to make this a miraculous holiday for all.

Why I like this book:

Arthur A Levine creates a magical tale in Nate Gadol, “a new larger-than-life holiday hero who brings Hanukkah wonder and magic to all those in need.”

Levine offers a mythical and magical tale about how Jewish families began to give gifts to their children during Hanukkah. This book will appeal to the many families who celebrate blended traditions that include presents, while honoring their faith and many beautiful Jewish traditions.

There is also a beautiful message of sharing between two immigrant families – one Jewish and the other Christian. The Glaser and O’Malley families help each other survive the bitter cold winter of 1881 by sharing food and selling items to purchase medicine for a sick baby. This is a story about families, friendship, faith and joy.

Children will be thrilled with the stunning illustrations. They are bold and magical with each page accented in shimmering gold. If you hold the illustrations just right in the light, you can see the golden gleam in Nate’s eyes. Magic!

Resource: Make you check out Arthur A. Levine’s “Author’s Note,” where he shares his own memories of Hanukkah and gives a lot of insight into why he wrote about the beginnings of a modern-day tradition. This is a wonderful discussion book for all families, no matter your tradition. Make homemade gifts for your family members. Donate to local food and holiday drives.

Arthur A. Levine has been a children’s publishing for more than thirty years. He is the author of many acclaimed picture books, including What a Beautiful Morning and The Very Beary Tooth Fairy. As a children’s book editor, has published may of the most exceptional children’s titles of all time, including the Harry Potter series, Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass, Shaun Tan’s The Arrival, and Peggy Rathmann’s Officer Buckle and Gloria.

Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.

*Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.