Forest of Wonders

By Linda Sue Park, Jim Madsen (Illustrator)

Book #1 in the Wing & Claw series

A boy's magical cure for a bat leads to unexpected transformations and dangerous discoveries.

3.9/5 Goodreads · 1,333 ratings

343 pages· 59,616 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

$16.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Young apothecary Raffa Santana loves the mysterious Forest of Wonders, where every leaf holds magic. When he heals an injured bat with a rare vine, it transforms into something extraordinary. This discovery propels Raffa to the city of Gilden, where he uncovers unsettling truths about his botanical inventions. As he grapples with the potential threat to the creatures he cherishes, Raffa must decide if his magical creations are a blessing or a curse. Can he protect the forest he loves, or will his experiments unleash unforeseen dangers?

From the publisher

From Newbery Medal-winning author Linda Sue Park, this is a captivating fantasy-adventure about a boy, a bat, and an amazing transformation. The first book in an enchanting trilogy, Forest of Wonders richly explores the links between magic and botany, family and duty, environment and home. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom. Raffa Santana has always loved the mysterious Forest of Wonders. For a gifted young apothecary like him, every leaf could unleash a kind of magic.When an injured bat crashes into his life, Raffa invents a cure from a rare crimson vine that he finds deep in the Forest. His remedy saves the animal but also transforms it into something much more than an ordinary bat, with far-reaching consequences.Raffa’s experiments lead him away from home to the forbidding city of Gilden, where troubling discoveries make him question whether exciting botanical inventions–including his own–might actually threaten the very creatures of the Forest he wants to protect.–Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

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