Blog Tour With Review and Guest Post by Donna Galanti author of Loon Cove Summer, Unicorn Island and Joshua and The Lightning Road series

I'm really excited today to be a part of the blog tour for Donna Galanti's latest book, Loon Cove Summer.    Be sure to check out all the other tour stops at the bottom of the post and Donna's link to her tip sheet for the book.  There's also a giveaway and my review.  

Loon Cove Summer by Donna Galanti
Publisher:  Wild Trade Press
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   286 pages
Publishing:  May 6th, 2025
Source:  Author in exchange for an honest review
Reading level: middle-grade, 8 - 12 years

Book Tip Sheet to Download 

Where book is available:  Amazon, Barnes and Noble,  Bookshop, On Goodreads  

Donna’s website

Keywords:
friendship, grief and loss, environmental causes, family, Appalachian Trail, lakes, camping, nature, adventure, coming-of-age, bird conservation

Audience:

·   Nature and science lovers

·   Outdoor adventure seekers

·   Readers of survival stories

·   Fans of environmental causes

·   Youth in bereavement

Opening Line: "My first Monday of summer vacation was a total fail."

 Here is the summary of Loon Cove Summer:

Thirteen-year-old Sarah Richardson is determined that her life will finally get unstuck this summer. She just knows it. Her to-do list? Brave the lake again. Save the loons. Stop missing Mom. Her one bright spot: volunteering at the local wild bird rehabilitation center.

 

The summer looks even brighter when Sarah meets Theo, the boy staying at her family’s Maine lakeside campground who cares about protecting the loons just like she does. But when Sarah’s family may have to move, she adds a new to-do item: save their home. And when she suspects Dad is dating Theo’s aunt, the naturalist helping research environmental dangers to the loons, Sarah is caught in a new world of grief.

 

With the looming reality of losing her dad, her home, and the loons, Sarah must make a big statement to take control of her life. Capturing inspiration from her late mother’s Appalachian Trail hiking journal, she boldly plans a solo wild adventure. But as her challenges mount, she wonders if her courage will earn her the voice she seeks—or if she’s made a reckless choice that just might claim her life.

Guest Post:  The Twisty Journey of Getting a Book Published by Donna Galanti

I love writing fantasy, as made evident by all my other books. With writing fantasy, there’s a freedom to create any world you want—a world without boundaries. I hadn’t planned to write a contemporary, yet my newest novel, Loon Cove Summer, called to be written in the real-world. It’s a love letter to a magical part of my childhood where I lived, in a New England lakeside campground. For me, it wasn’t a challenging transition from fantasy to writing this contemporary story as it flowed out of me from personal experience.

The book began as a young adult for teens as I explored a romantic element in it, but the story soon morphed into middle grade for younger audiences. I struggled with a teen voice and realized it wasn’t working for me because I love to embrace the wonder of being a tween. Being a tween is a time in our lives when we straddle two worlds, one foot grounded in the magic of childhood and one foot stepping into young adulthood. This time as a youth is about having many new adventures for the first time. These ‘first’ experiences are threaded throughout Loon Cove Summer and reflected in Sarah, the main character.

Most authors I know have several creative projects in the works. I’m no different. I still have my first (practice!) novel sitting in a shoe box that will never be published. I also have seven completed books that all need various stages of revising, three novels to finish drafting, and five novels in a series outlined with the first book begun.

When one project feels stalled, I move to another. I started Loon Cove Summer way back in 2013. After many years of stalling on it, cheating on it with writing other books, working on it with my former agent and several editors, and rewriting it, I finished the story in 2024. Finally, 12 years later it’s being released on May 6th!

There’s a dedication required to getting a book to print—draft it, rewrite it, revise it (multiple times), then figure out the path to publication (which includes more rejection than acceptance). At times, it seems like an impossible mountain to climb!

Loon Cove Summer was no different … here’s a 17-part snapshot of the journey:

1. Began writing it in 2013.

2. Finished a polished draft in 2019.

3. Let my current agent go (amicably) to acquire a new literary agent for it.

4. Had a Big 5 publisher interested. Made edits with them. Added in more emphasis on the loons and conservation, per their request.

5. Got turned-down from this Big 5 publisher as they had a similar title recently released.

6. Changed the book title and went on submission again to publishers via my new agent.

7. Rewrote again and re-submitted to Big 5 publisher above as the editor wanted to give it one more try. Nope.

8. Got rejected by other publishers on submission because it’s “too quiet”, “needs more conservation in it”, “we don’t do middle-grade books that have a crush in it” (seriously).

9. Changed the title again and went on another round of submissions to publishers via my agent.

10. In the meantime, I got a 2-book deal for my paranormal suspense Element Trilogy for adults, wrote it, and had it release with a publisher.

11. In the meantime, I was hired to write a 3-book series, Unicorn Island, for another publisher and wrote all 3 books and had them all release.

12. Had an imprint with a Big 5 publisher super excited about Loon Cove Summer! “This is the best thing I’ve read in so long! I couldn’t put it down. I laughed, I cried!”

13. Revised the first 5 chapters with the editor of this imprint.

14. Get the revised version to an acquisitions meeting. Rejected by Sales and Marketing as my book sales (20,000) of my most current book was not enough to take a risk on this

next book of mine. :(

15. Had differences with my second agent and let her go. Queried new agents. Several requested the manuscript of Loon Cove Summer. Ultimately, they all echoed the same

reasons above for choosing not to take it on.

16. August 2024. Decide no more agents. No editors. No more gatekeepers. No more squelching my creativity and passion as a storyteller. I’m 55 years old and taking control of my own publishing destiny. I don’t want to be remembered for dozens of books written just sitting in a shoebox! So … I created Wild Trail Press and produced Loon Cove Summer on my own, the first title of 15 books to publish (and counting).

17. The End (or really, just the beginning!)

 

My Review: 

I really enjoyed Loon Cove Summer's focus on nature and Sarah's desire to bring a loon expert to her lake and research why the loon's were disappearing.  The story shows what the determination and perseverance of one person can do.

Having the story centered at a campground was also a real highlight for me as it's one of my favorite pastimes over the summer.  There's something about being outside in the woods, near a lake that is comforting, and bringing Donna's book along for a re-read would be perfect.

Sarah makes for a lovely main character, she's so full of emotions the nervousness and excitement of meeting Maggie, the new to her, warm cozy feelings she feels with Theo.  Even her jealousy when her dad begins to show an interest in Maggie.  The kind of big feelings that a reader can easily relate to.  Sarah is so sweet and sparks this instant connection with Theo and Maggie, a connection that she isn't ready to share with her dad. 

There's the difficult topics of the death of a mother and possible moving away from a place that you love, but it is written from a place of great sensitivity.   I love how Sarah is given time to process her feelings about her mom's death and to come to terms with all the changes happening around her.  How she is able to use her mom's trail journal not only to read about her mom's experiences but also to write back to her to express her own thoughts.    

This is a beautiful, feel good, heart warming story that I enjoyed reading immensely.  The idea of being "custodians" for the loons really resonated with me.  It makes me want to read more adventure stories and books about environmental activism and reminded me a lot of Terry Lynn Johnson's books, like Rescue at Lake Wild.  The after thoughts from Donna were much appreciated and I especially loved how she explained why she chose to write a contemporary book and talked about her shared lived experience. I highly recommend Loon Cove Summer to readers interested in animal activism, or any animal/nature enthusiast.  

**A huge thank you to Donna Galanti for visiting my blog today, and providing me with a review copy of her book.  ***          

Praise for Loon Cove Summer:

“A warm-hearted novel that balances profound loss with humor and hope.”
– Kate Allen, author of The Line Tender

“As sparkling, refreshing, and mysterious as a Maine lake in summertime.”
– Cathy Carr, author of 365 Days to Alaska

“An original and fun read from start to finish … unreservedly recommended.”
– Midwest Book Review

“A page-turning read set in the wilds of Maine.”
– Paul Greci, author of Surviving Bear Island

“The cast of unforgettable characters and tender relationships stays with you.”
– Jessica Rinker, author of The Dare Sisters  

$50 Barnes & Noble Gift Card Giveaway: Runs 5/6/25 – 5/13/25

About Donna: 

 Donna Galanti is the author of two middle-grade book series, Unicorn Island and Joshua and the Lightning Road, and the paranormal suspense Element Trilogy for adults. She has lived in fun locations including England, her family-owned campground in New Hampshire, and in Hawaii where she served as a U.S. Navy photographer. Donna is an avid outdoor adventurer and nature lover. She volunteers for the Old-Growth Forest Network and the National Audubon Society. When Donna’s not wandering the woods seeking magic and wonder, you can usually find her biking or kayaking. For more information on her books, school visits, and events, visit her at: www.donnagalanti.com.

 

 

It's MMGM with a review of Spelling It Out by Margaret Finnegan

Spelling It Out by Margaret Finnegan
Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Format:  E-ARC
Number of pages:   208 pages
Publishing:  May 15th, 2025
Source:  Blue Slip Media

Find Margaret Finnegan:

            Instagram:

Margaret Finnegan: @finneganbegin

Atheneum/S&S: @simonKIDS

Blue Slip Media: @blue_slip_media 

                 Facebook:

Margaret Finnegan: @Margaret Finnegan

Atheneum/S&S: @SimonKIDS

Blue Slip Media: @blue-slip-media 

                   Bluesky:

Margaret Finnegan: @finneganbegin

Atheneum/S&S: N/A

Blue Slip Media: @blueslipmedia.bsky.social

Opening Lines: "Picture it: 1985.  There I am: Ben Bellini.  Sixth grade, but probably looking closer to fifth. (why? because my parents threw me into kindergarten when I was four and a half years old, and I was a shrimp to boot.)" 

Ben really enjoys competitive spelling, it gives him a jolt to stand on stage and visualize each word before spelling it out.  He doesn't even mind that he has to answer quickly; it prevents him from getting tongue-tied when there's a time restraint.   However, competitive spelling is not something that Ben feels comfortable sharing with his friends because he worries about getting teased, laughed at or called a nerd.  Especially after placing twelfth at the Southern California Regional Spelling Bee.  Ben feels it's one of the hardest things that he's ever done, but his friends still wouldn't understand.

Ben is all but ready to abandon spelling competitions until his grandmother proposes he spend the summer at her place in San Francisco, where he can be coached by the former national spelling bee winner, Roger Nott.  Initially, Ben's parents aren't up for the idea but with some persuasion they eventually agree to let him go.

Upon Ben's arrival in California things get off to a rocky start when his grandmother is not at the gate to meet him.  After a short while, Nan finally arrives, and they return to her house. As he gets settled, Ben begins to notice some changes around Nan's house. It is a little unkempt, and a few things are broken. However, Ben pushes these troubling thoughts aside and plans for his first meeting with Nott's.  Once again, Nan is nowhere be found when it's time for Ben to leave.  He takes it upon himself to find the bus route to Nott's bookstore but arrives late for his appointment and is convinced that he has ruined his chance with Nott.

Disgruntled with his bad luck, Ben wanders into a nearby library where he meets Asha who proceeds to tell him jokingly that she's going to beat him in the next spelling bee.  He takes this to mean he doesn't have a chance, but Asha says that doesn't mean he should give up.

Nott finally agrees to train Ben, and they begin by learning about prefixes, suffixes and the origins of words.  Ben also continues to meet up with Asha at the library where they practice reciting flash cards.  Ben finally feels like he has met someone who understands him.  However, strange things take place at Nan's and Ben and Asha have a minor falling out.  Nan has forgotten the deal that she made with Nott's and her once scattered thoughts are becoming more memory lapses, frightening Ben.  In order to better help his grandmother, Ben ultimately makes the difficult decision to ask his mother for help.

Spelling it Out is set in 1985 and includes enough references to movies and music to evoke the 80's vibe that I so enjoy. Ben is a wonderful main character; he's grappling with his identity and the kind of person he wants to become. He finds being a competitive speller to be isolating, as it's something that no one else seems to understand or is interested in. He questions the idea of what it means to be a "real man" and is self-conscious about others' perceptions.  Not being perceived as a nerd is important to him.  Asha helps him understand that he can fit into more than one category and the importance of pursuing one's passions.  Ben, in turn, helps Asha understand that she should not let someone's racist views prevent her from playing basketball, an activity she loves doing.

Finnegan wonderfully fleshes out each of her characters and I love all the little details that make each one of them stand out, from Mrs. Sunabe's translucent pink glasses to the specific details about the design of Nan's house.  Nott's character on the other hand really began to frustrate me to no end.  How he felt so belittling and bullying.  Was he trying to get Ben to persevere?  Did Nott even realize that he was making things worse? He really made my blood boil, until Ben happily stated that "my power is mine to give."  I so rallied with him in that moment.  A lovely story that emphasizes believing in yourself, following your passion and asking for help and support when you need it.  Spelling it Out is very timely as this year is the 100th anniversary of the Scripps National Spelling Bee   Margaret Finnegan has also created a series of activities to help celebrate Spelling and her books release.  I hope you'll check them out.  

Finally, I really enjoyed the inclusion of the Memory Palace technique, something that I used before in working with individuals who sustained a brain injury.  If you're not familiar with it, it's a way of connecting something that you want to remember to a pre-existing memory.  We used to say it's like walking through the rooms of your house where each room holds an item that you want to recall.  If the room to item pair is strong, it helps the person recall the information. I'm glad I was reminded of this technique again.  

**A huge thank you to Blue Slip Media for the E- ARC in exchange for an honest review**

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE      

Kat's Greek Summer by Mima Tipper

Kat's Greek Summer by Mima Tipper
Publisher:  SparkPress
Format:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:   248 pages
Publishing:  May 13th, 2025
Source:  Books Forward

Opening Lines:  "Love the running. Love it."

Kat Baker repeats the mantra "love the running" to herself to psych herself up or to push through any discomfort she might be feeling.  She wants to be the fastest runner, and follows all the running sites while trying to visualize meeting her goals.  Kat is determined to join the cross-country team next year, convinced that she will finally feel a sense of belonging.  She'll be in the "know" about boys,  high-school, and can finally meet her crush, Mike.  

Kat's younger brother, James, then breaks the devastating news that they will be spending the summer in Paralia, Greece.  Her mom feels it's the perfect time for them to connect with their Greek roots.  Kat attempts to find the silver lining, reasoning that at least she can come back with a tan and plenty of stories about her vacation.  However, she worries that two weeks without training could jeopardize her chances of making the team.

Upon arriving in Paralia, home to her grandmother's charming rustic village, Kat is immediately overwhelmed by the intense heat.  She's further disappointed to learn that each day includes a three-hour mandatory quiet siesta period where she's to remain indoors.  However, Kat devises a plan to go for early morning runs.  Yet, her first experience doesn't go as planned as she's met with the disapproving glares from the older fisherman.  Then Kat catches sight of Theofilus Zafirakis, a local boy working for his grandfather for the summer and is instantly captivated.  

Theofilus is even more handsome than Mike and Kat quickly sets out to learn everything she can about him, despite facing disapproval from his grandfather.  Although, Kat speaks little Greek and Theofilus speaks little English, they somehow are able to communicate effectively and begin meeting secretly late at night.  Thus, avoiding detection by Kat's mother, grandmother, and Theofilus' grandfather. 

Everything appears to be going well at first, but Kat lands herself in trouble by becoming distracted while watching her brother and cousin at the beach leading them to get trapped at sea, requiring a huge recovery effort.  Kat and Theofilus also get caught and their sneaking around comes to light.  Following some frank conversations, and Theo's grandfather witnessing Kat standing up for her cousin Yeorgia when some local boys were scaring her, the families come to an agreement about letting their relationship continue.  

Children may relate to Kat's desire to fit in with the popular crowd and how participating on the cross-country team helps her to connect with her peers, in navigating relationships with boys and in adapting to high school life.  Kat's trip to the small Greek village led to her confronting a new set of social norms she doesn't understand and a language barrier.  It also is a way for her to understand a new to her culture and how she fits into it.   Kat identifies being Greek as mostly being olive skinned and dark haired like her mother and brother.  She's often wondered about how she fits in with her family.  What characteristics make her Greek?   

I loved that the story included three generations of Greek woman and Kat received insights from each of these women.  Kat's relationship with her grandmother/Yiayia is really sweet.  I love that she learned a few words in Greek so they could communicate together and even became involved in preparing a meal together.  Not only was she learning about Greece, but she was also able to form some wonderful memories.  (I'll never forget making cherry pancakes with my Oma.)  Kat also spent time with her cousin, Yeorgia and even encouraged her to follow her own dreams to be a pilot.  Kat learned that one's ethnicity or nationality isn't about our physical characteristics, as her mom said, it's about our "blood and bone" and that she is both Greek and American. 

Overall, Kat's Greek Summer is a lovely coming of age story about first loves, complex feelings, standing up for yourself, and finding one's cultural identity.  Kat returned from her trip to Greece having developed a deep connection to her Greek heritage, a newfound confidence and an understanding of what it means to own our choices. 

**A huge thank you to Books Forward for the paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review**

                                                         About the Author…

MIMA TIPPER: Half-Greek, half-American, Mima Tipper and her writing reflect her heritage—a little bit old-country, a little bit rock and roll: one foot wandering through the dreamy realms of myths and faerie tales, the other running on the solid ground of fast-paced, contemporary story. She earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and has published YA fiction in Hunger Mountain and Sucker Literary magazine. Her YA short story “A Cut-out Face” received an honorable mention from Hunger Mountain’s Katherine Paterson Prize, her work-in-progress “Chasing a Blue So Wild” was a top ten finalist in Voyage YA’s first chapter contest, and her work-in-progress “Channeling Marilyn” came in second place for Paranormal Romance in the Chesapeake Romance Writer’s annual Rudy contest. “Kat’s Greek Summer” will be her first published novel. Beyond devoting most of her time to writing, Mima volunteers at her local library and is committed to promoting literacy. Mima lives in Vermont with her family. Learn more at: www.mimatipper.com

Follow Mima Tipper on social media:

Facebook: @mimatipper | Twitter: @meemtip | Instagram: @mimatip 

  

It's MMGM with a review of Orris and Timble: Lost and Found by Kate DiCamillo, illustrations by Carmen Mok

Orris and Timble: Lost and Found by Kate DiCamillo, illustrations by Carmen Mok
Publisher:  Candlewick Press
Format:  Hardcover
Number of pages:   80 pages
Publishing:   April 29th, 2025
Source:  Publisher

Opening Line: "The rat had made himself a nest out of the pages of discarded books, and in the nest were his treasures: a yellow marble, a red velvet slipper, and a piece of Top-Notch Butterscotch wrapped in foil."

Orris, the rat, narrates a story each evening to his friend Timble, an owl during their visit to the barn.  Orris is a well-read rat, having numerous books.  He even has the one about a princess who "always vows to return by the light of the stars and by the light of the moon."  Timble dreams of seeing the moon and stars, but Orris says that it's impossible.  Timble starts to grow larger and larger until one night when they fail to return to the barn.  

Orris continues to patiently await his friend's return, only growing worried when a second day passes without a sign of Timble.  All that remains is his favorite sardine can with the image of a fish wearing a crown that he refers to as the sardine king.  Although, the sardine king never seems to respond to a single question from Orris.  

Feeling both disgruntled and sad, Orris tries to persuade himself that rats and owls can't be friends and keeps busy by straightening his nest.  Suddenly his friend's voice calls out his name.  Can he find it within himself to forgive Timble for the worry that he caused, and for making him think that their friendship might have ended? 

In Lost and Found, Orris is tasked with making a good and noble choice once again.  He saved Timble in the first book from a trap, despite his fears that rats and owls are natural enemies.  Now, Orris must decide whether it's good and noble to forgive a friend once you've been disappointed.  Kate DiCamillo's books are always such a treat to read.  What may seem like a simple story of a rat and an owl turns into this beautiful story of friendship and trust. As the two friends sit on the ledge of the barn window, gazing up at the moon, Timble tells Orris the story of how an owl became lost.  Timble explains that their desire to see the moon and stars caused him to fly too high and lose his way.  However, knowing that Orris was waiting, he kept searching until the barn finally came into view. 

The repetitive quality of the story, with the line about the stars and moon, and also how the opening lines echo those of the first book really appealed to me.  I love the soft watercolor illustrations by Carmen Mok inside the barn and how they beautifully draw the reader into the story.  My favorites are the full-page illustrations of Orris and Timble looking out at the night sky.  The Orris and Timble books are on the younger side of middle-grade but will surely be a hit for fans of Kate DiCamillo's other books.

**A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the hardcover ARC in exchange for an honest review**

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE      

      

The Unraveling #1 The Counsel of Crows by Karl Buechner , Jeremy Mueller and Keith Ward

 The Unraveling: The Counsel of Crows by Karl Buechner, Jeremy Mueller and Keith Ward
Publisher:  Th3rd World Studios (3WS Books)
Format:  E-book, Paperback
Number of pages:   296 pages
Publishing:  May 20th, 2025 
Source:  Media Masters Publicity

Opening Lines: "Jagged branches of lightning flashed through the rolling clouds as the storms fury broke over the forest."

When his peaceful village falls under siege by the ruthless Fortress Crows, a young chickadee named Twig becomes their prey, desperately fleeing the clutches of General Traeton and the formidable sorceress Koshmara.  Injured and weary, Twig finds sanctuary with the most unexpected of allies—a crow named Scarecrow.  It is within the safety of Scarecrow's sanctuary that Twig learns the story behind the creation of Koshmara's winged army- and uncovers her chilling plans for the total destruction of bipeds and the creation of a new world under her reign.

Meanwhile, a cunning bard named Bozwell, accompanied by his mischievous two tumblers, Eca and Ayu, unknowingly arrives in Sky Village just as the Queen was abducted by General Traeton and his ruthless army.  Determined to rescue her, the trio is joined by Evelyn, a warrior from the Queen's guard.  Together, they embark on a harrowing and daring mission to storm the Crow's Fortress and rescue the Queen.

The Unraveling is the first book in the Counsel of Crows, which I'm hoping will become a series.  I've heard it described as an "animal liberation" story which ties in with the sorceresses desire for freedom and revenge and the bard and his trio's wanting to release the Queen from her prison.  I'm going to try and not go into much detail so as not to give away too many spoilers.  So I'll talk more about my overall impressions. 

Twig and Scarecrow have this wonderful chemistry and sharing of ideals.  It's almost a grandfather/grandson relationship.  Scarecrow is just this wonderful philosophical mage, who imparts the history of the bipeds, the All-Spirit and what sent Koshmara on her quest for domination.  There's lots of mentorship, encouragement and imparting of knowledge, with moments of levity.  Like how Scarecrow was able to hear Twig's thoughts and amusingly snuck in to listen without Twig always being aware.  There's also these Harry Potter and the pensieve vibes that I enjoyed as Twig was able to visit moments from the past.     Though, I must admit that I was a little disappointed that Twig sort of takes on a secondary role while with Scarecrow, but perhaps with the ending that occurs, it's a means of showing what even the smallest can accomplish.

Bozwell and his trio were by far my favorite.  Most of the action occurs on their quest and I really enjoyed following along with them.  The various obstacles and creatures they encounter were interesting.  Randall the magician possum was also memorable.  Each chapter shifted between the events with Twig and then back to Bozwell's quest, with fairly equal time between the two.   

The story reflects on the evils that man has done to the world, by deforestation, animal exploitation and the pollution of the air and waters.  It's not in a heavy handed way, but is more of a reminder of how our choices have consequences.  That we all have a shared responsibility of protecting our environment.  The authors balance this with the concept of whether it's ok to judge all of a species based on the actions of one individual.  That not all individuals are inherently evil and there needs to be a place for empathy, love and forgiveness.  Which is difficult given that Koshmara resembles Darth Vadar when she brutally kills and injuries another one of the characters, expressing no remorse over her actions.  

Overall, I really enjoyed the adventure, themes and am looking forward to read more books in the series.  The black and white illustrations by Zulfikar Rachman and Michael DeVito added to the story, I just wish there were more.  Read this if you've enjoyed Wartership Down, Redwall, or the Secret of NIMH.  I'd even add some Sky Pirates by Paul Stewart and Chris Ridell.  This is a timely read for Earth Day, and would tie in nicely with the books themes.    

It's MMGM with a review of Vanishings: The Wythic Wood Mysteries Series, Book One Catharina Steel

Vanishings: The Wythic Wood Mysteries Series by Catharina Steel
Publisher:  SparkPress
Format:  Paperback ARC
Number of pages:   272 pages
Publishing:  May 20th, 2025
Source:  Books Forward

Opening Lines:  "Sadness pulled at her as she studied the bony body of the old man-his tattered clothes barely covering his fragile frame-lying on a cold, hard surface."

Tilly's cousin Michael ventured into the woods for a hike and disappeared a year ago.  It has been three years since Tilly's parents died in a car accident, and Michael has been her person, the one who helped her navigate through her grief.  Gran refuses to talk about Michael's disappearance, and Tilly fears that no one is actively searching for him.  When word arrives that Opa wishes for her to spend the summer with him in Clayton Forest to study their family's magic, Tilly is thrilled, as the Forest is adjacent to Wythic Wood.  Can this be her opportunity to search for Michael?

Tilly is joined in Clayton Forest by her two cousins, Jess and Zach. They begin exploring the forest soon meeting magical creatures like fairies, gnomes and good witches.  They also receive lessons in potion-making, learn Gobight fighting, a form of goblin martial arts and become attuned to their unique style of magic.  Tilly begins to dream of the old man from the introduction, with each dream adding a new piece of information to the story.  But what exactly are the dreams trying to tell her?  Does this mean that she is a seer like her Oma? 

When Tilly experiences a new vision while awake, she interprets it as an urgent call to rescue Michael and persuades her cousins to venture with her into the Wythic Wood.   Soon the trio are being hunted by weredogs, ravens, and even the Witch of Wythic Wood.  Will they be able to find Michael and safely return to Opa in Clayton Forest?

Vanishings is the first book in the Wythic Wood Mystery series.  It has the feel of Fabelhaven's magical creature preserve, meets Alice in Wonderland's shrinking and growth potion, meets the Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the Wicked Witch of the West with her winged monkeys/ravens in the current story.  At twelve-years-old, Tilly is a very determined girl, and not easily swayed from her task to rescue Michael.  She's a doer, and she needs answers.  I really enjoyed that her thoughts appear in italics on the page.  Tilly isn't entirely honest with her cousins and withholds a lot of information from them, she means well, but is pretty impulsive.  I also enjoyed how her dream came in little pieces, first just footsteps, and then a key in a lock, etc.  How we are never quite sure what this vision is trying to tell her.

There're facts about mushrooms to include the various types that can be eaten, and which kinds to avoid for being poisonous.  Even a bit about cooking being a bit like potions in terms of adding just the right mix of things.  The magical creatures that are found within Clayton Forest are interesting and don't distract from the plot.  Each character's skills were helpful in getting them through the Wythic Woods or to evade detection.  The story cumulates in a big battle, but I have to admit that I was a little let down with the ending.  Everyone just seems to return home.  So many unanswered questions, like what about the weredog curse?  The hidden elves and ancient magic, what's the wicked witches plans now?  

In the acknowledgements, Steel states that the story was inspired by Enid Blyton, C.S. Lewis and Lewis Carroll's books.  The next book in the series is Magical Piet: Opa's Origin Story which is available upon following the authors website. Overall, I really enjoyed the adventure and am looking forward to any future books in the series. 

 **A huge thank you to Books Forward for the Paperback ARC in exchange for an honest review** 

 I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE      

CATHARINA STEEL has an adventurous spirit and enjoys traveling and exploring. The forests in The Wythic Wood Mysteries series stems from her love for hiking, the outdoors, and the enchanting essence found in these settings. She’s had various pets over the years, among them a kid goat called “Billy,” named after the famous “Billy the Kid.” Her current cherished companion is Macherie, a gentle and sweet greyhound. During her leisure time, Catharina enjoys viewing properties, walking in the southwest region of Western Australia where she dwells, reading, sketching, and watching TV series. Find out more about them at www.catharinasteel.com.

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