Wildwood by Colin Meloy
Fantasy: 541 pages
When her baby brother is kidnapped by crows, seventh-grader Prue McKeel ventures into the forbidden Impassable Wilderness — a dangerous and magical forest at the edge of Portland, Oregon — and soon finds herself involved in a war among the various inhabitants.
Sam’s review:
Twelve-year-old Prue leads a predictably hip life with her parents and baby brother in the St. John’s area of Portland, Oregon. Her humdrum life goes sideways when crows swoop down and lift her baby brother Mac out of the Red Flyer wagon and carry him away across the river into the Impassable Wilderness. She blames herself for his disappearance since she was babysitting him at the time, so of course Prue must set out to rescue him, even though the Wilderness is forbidden to “Outsiders.” As she crosses the railroad bridge she encounters Curtis, an acquaintance from school who is compelled to help her. Prue and Curtis walk into the wilderness and quickly realize that they have entered another world. In short order, they become embroiled in a complicated war between various factions of Wildwood. The vengeful Dowager Governess, whose evil intentions were spawned by an unbearable heartbreak, is at the center of the unrest. At over 500 pages, Wildwood builds a rich fantasy universe, populated by coyote soldiers, a lovable Postmaster, obnoxious bureaucrats, bandits, the Avians, the Mystics, and more. Alternating between the experiences of Prue and Curtis, the story has plenty of action and surprises. It took me awhile to get used to the style of writing, but once I let go, it held me enthralled for a satisfying fantastical ride. Carson Ellis’s illustrations complement the style and add much to the experience.