Reviewed by: Michael Thal
Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction/YA
Approximate word count: 95-100,000 words
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Author:
Elle Jacklee became interested in
writing for children as a child when she first read classics like The Wizard
of Oz and The Chronicles of Nania. A nature lover at heart, Jacklee
understands the delicate balance of Mother Nature’s work. It is that miracle
that inspired her to create the world of Wunderwood and The Tree of Mindala.
The author lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two sons.
Description:
Miranda Moon is a precocious
eleven-year-old with an imagination that would be the envy of any novelist. Her
popular younger brother, Marcus, is resentful about missing a huge Halloween
party just because of his sister’s tall tales. She was suspended from school,
so their parents whisked them away. Now they have to spend Halloween in their
grandparents’ dusty old cabin rather than Marcus attending a coveted Halloween
party. The boring weekend quickly turns exciting when Miranda uncovers a snow
globe under a loose floorboard. When she turns the object upside down, “as one
can’t help doing with water globes,” darkness falls around her, a chill sweeps
the room, and the floor evaporates into cold, damp ground. Miraculously,
Miranda and Marcus are transported to the magical land of Wunderwood.
Appraisal:
Elle Jacklee brings to her readers a
very creative new world that rivals Oz or Nania. Wunderwood is a botanical
wonderland filled with exciting characters with magical abilities. Miranda and
her brother soon learn that they have family in this mystical place, and an
evil uncle bent on conquering it, even if it takes destroying all of the
beautiful forest to do so.
The author does a wonderful job in
character and plot development. Her only editorial weakness was the inability
to cut scenes that didn’t advance the plot. Other than that, The Tree of
Mindala is a worthwhile read for any reader of any age who enjoys a
combination of fantasy and science fiction.
Format/Typo Issues:
No
significant issues.
Rating: **** Four stars
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