‘A fun children’s story full of magic and bravery!’

REVIEW

I must say, there are many fun aspects to this short child’s novel. The hero of the story, Tara, is brave, and there’s plenty of pace from the start all the way to the exciting ending. There’s also a lot going on and, up until the very final page, there is a measure of mystery and adventure.

This book is very much for younger readers, say 7 – 10 year olds; the writing style is simple, the author focusing on pace and not so much on setting and character development. Saying that, Tara develops the most in the story and, I must say, she’s a very interesting hero, a hero most children will very much enjoy following.

The author works very well with speech. It is the most effective tool in this author’s toolbox, helping her to further the plot and also to bring the important element of humour to the story which children enjoy so much. A light, fun book, I would think any child who is progressing up to chapter books will enjoy this. Short paragraphs, a character-driven magical plot and sparky speech, this will keep most 7 - 10 year olds engrossed…

A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review

www.thewsa.co.uk

"A brave and canny heroine stands out in this portal adventure."

"In this third installment of a series, a young girl leads a family in a dying world to safety in her own realm through a magic portal.The two previous picture books, written in a fairy-tale–like style, introduced Magic Moon and his ability to grant certain requests. Now, this chapter book for young readers expands the concept, providing more background and linking Magic Moon’s world with Earth. The picture-book family now has names: Bronwen is the mother of Jackson, 10, and Dany, 7. But the realm they are inhabiting is temporary, and it’s time to return to their home world before the Gray Fog comes and obliterates all. Magic Moon is moving on as well but has promised Bronwen that a young girl will help. On present-day Earth, 10-year-old Tara has a warm family, including her father, mother, and stepfather, but she’s lonely for friends her own age. While exploring a mountain path, Tara discovers a secret cave. Following voices calling for aid, she steps through a magic portal and meets Jackson and Dany, leading them to safety. Tara’s father, Seneca, is enlisted to help Bronwen, who is injured. The two families get along well; Seneca invites Bronwen to use his cabin (he also has an apartment in the city), and by the end, Tara has gained new friends in Jackson and Dany—and maybe, she thinks, a stepmother in Bronwen. Moulton (Magic Moon: Sister’s Turn, 2017, etc.) offers much more detail and realism in this third series outing..."