Wildwood, by Colin Meloy, with illustrations by Carson Ellis
(Balzer + Bray, $17.99)
We're talking here about Colin Meloy, the singer/songwriter for the indie folk rock band The Decemberists, and partner Carson Ellis, who illustrated The Mysterious Benedict Society. Meloy, more famous for working in the three-minute-song format than the 541-page-middle-reader format, has created an adventure fantasy tale reminiscent of the OZ books. In this case, though, Wildwood's young adventurers enter into a magically protected land that's in the middle of Portland rather than over the rainbow, and that's populated more by bears in overalls and eagle kings than scarecrows and tin men come to life.
In the story, Prue McKeel's life takes an unexpected turn when her baby brother is lifted from his wagon by a murder of crows that carries him into the "Impassable Wilderness." Prue follows to try and save him, tailed by her friend Curtis, and discovers an enemy who seeks to use souped-up ivy to destroy the magical land.
Wildwood is a fun and inventive read, recommended for ages 9 and up. Due to a preponderance of what I like to call "SAT words," I don't think it would make a great read-aloud for younger kids. For the older kids, though, Wildwood is a great place to get lost for a while.
