Wildwood

by Colin Meloy

with illustrations by Carson Ellis

 Sometimes I come across books that are so well written, so pleasurable to read; instead of moving forward with my story I feel an urge to go back and rewrite it all over again for the millionth time. Such is the case with Wildwood. The easiness Meloy imbeds his work with whimsical touches through imagery and a rich vocabulary, is down right unnerving: A Dowager Governess, seriously? Now why didn’t I think of that? People like Colin Meloy make the life of an aspiring writer miserable.

Prue is the big sister every little kid would like to have. She’s brave and adventurous, and in trouble when she looses her baby brother to a murder of crows. (Isn’t it just fabulous? A flock of crows is actually called a murder. Pardon my delighted amusement; English is my second language and I collect its curious words as a pastime.) After a brief moment of excitation she realizes she must go and search for him in the Impassable Wilderness.

Curtis is lonely, kids at school don’t get him, his sisters bug him and he feels his parents see him as nothing but trouble. When he hears Prue planning her rescue mission he decides to follow her, even if that means annoying her into accepting his company.

These unlikely partners cross into Wildwood and discover a magical world where animals talk and plants listen. Chased by a group of coyotes dressed in army uniforms, they get separated and through their journeys the reader will meet the many extraordinary peoples of The Wood, and get involved in their battles. Besides being a fun adventure for children and teens, the politics in the story flavored with a healthy criticism to bureaucracy and lack of leadership will please adults also.

The illustrations by Carson Ellis are absolutely lovely and add an extra dimension of whimsy to the work.