The Land of Roar

By Jenny McLachlan, Ben Mantle (Illustrator)

Book #1 in the Land of Roar series

A forgotten imaginary world becomes real, pulling siblings into a rescue mission against a haunting villain.

5.5/7 Bookroo expert·4.1/5 Goodreads · 4,078 ratings

320 pages· 54,932 words· Est. 7.5 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

Arthur and Rose once imagined a magical world called Roar, now just a memory. But when their grandfather is kidnapped by a nightmare villain into this very world, they must return to save him. As they navigate Roar's wild landscapes, they uncover secrets and face challenges that test their courage. Can they rescue their grandfather and confront the fears that once haunted them? Dive into a realm where imagination holds power and adventure awaits at every turn.

From the publisher

Everyone remembers their secret imaginary world…but what if you discovered that yours was real? When Arthur and Rose were little, they were the heroes of Roar, a magical world they invented where the wildest creations of their imaginations roamed. Now that they’re eleven, Roar is just a distant memory. But it hasn’t forgotten them. When their grandfather is spirited away into Roar by the villain who still haunts their nightmares, Arthur and Rose must go back to the world they’d almost left behind. And when they get there, they discover that Grandad isn’t the only one who needs their help. This enchanting, action-packed novel is perfect for readers who’ve always dreamed of exploring Narnia and Neverland.–Booklist

At a glance

Format
Pages: 320
Words: 54,932
Reading age: 8–12
Audience: Middle Grade
Lexile: ~750L

Themes & topics

Books about twins Books about grandpa Books about grandparents Books about magic Books about siblings

For the grown-ups

The parent guide

What families may want to know

Every family reads differently. These are the concepts our editors noticed in this book — worth seeking out for some readers, worth knowing about for others. The list isn't exhaustive, but it's a spoiler-light head start.

Language

This book contains a few instances of teasing and name calling between siblings, such as: "shut up," "loser," calling a sibling annoying, and siblings saying they hate each other.

Monsters

This book contains a scarecrow villain, Crowky, in the Land of Roar that is portrayed in a few illustrations and that the children have to defeat.

Potty Humor

This book contains a couple of instances of potty language, like mentioning a child "weed" on the bed and saying a sibling smells like a toilet or cat poo.

Serious Subject Matter

This book mentions a grandfather's empty rum bottle memorabilia.

After the last page

Talk about it together

The Land of Roar is full of the great imaginings of Arthur and Rose, and the story shares what different traits roar has from each sibling. If you were to think up an imaginary world that could become real, what would be some characteristics of your land that are true to your personality, likes, and dreams?

Arthur and Rose loved to "play Roar" when they were younger. What were some of your favorite things to do when you were smaller, and how did imagination play a part? How do you use your imagination today?

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.5

out of 7

5.5

“Imaginary turned reality is the star of this modern-day story with a world beyond a . . . well, a camping bed, instead of a wardrobe (like The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe). Sibling rivalry turned to love and fear turned to bravery are other themes in this imaginary, awesome book of dragons, mermaids, scarecrows, and Lost Girls.”

B is for Bookworm

Trusted reviewer

For readers who can't stop at one