Review for Beth Winokur's The Willing Stone children's chapter book
Abby and her younger
brother, Dean, along with their parents, have moved from California to
Washington State to live with their grandparents. First, Granddad unloads about
“The Folk,” a strange people living in the forest, even a ‘trickster’ crocodile
that he warns Abby about. Of course Abby, facing a new school, new environment and
trying to make new friends, has her own problems to deal with. Naturally, she wants to fit in. However, reality intervenes and
she is almost fated to be friends with the school’s outcast, Sofia, otherwise
known as ‘Bug-Girl.’ From
there, Abby is off on a spectacular, fantasy adventure.
One of the hardest things
for many children’s authors is the presentation of serious material in an
enjoyable manner. The trick is not to be pedantic. Beth Winokur pulls this off
flawlessly. Themes of friendship, loyalty, nature, and even death (fantasy) are
touched upon. Other themes of dislocation, fear, school pressure, and to a
degree, bullying are all skillfully disguised in a thrilling adventure.
The Willing Stone features a magical and fantastic storyline,
filled with positive messages for middle graders.
A terrific book, don't
miss it.
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