Forest of Wonders (Wing & Claw #1)

Through his preternatural apothecarial talents, 12-year-old Raffa Santana restores a bat's injured wings and apparently gives the creature the ability to speak. Raffa soon discovers that the potent vine he used has other dangerous powers, spurring a journey to the city of Gilden to warn his cousin Garith about its pitfalls. There's no shortage of action or ethical dilemmas in this endearing tale, first in Park's (A Long Walk to Water) Wing & Claw trilogy. In the city, Raffa finds himself caring for a pair of raccoon babies and making new friends, including Kuma, a scrappy girl known for taming a mighty forest bear. A malicious plot to use experimental herbal infusions on innocent animals is part of an overarching theme in which Raffa wrestles with how to use his knowledge--for healing or for deception and even willful harm. As in life, the choices are never black and white as Park's realistically flawed characters struggle between looking out for the greater good or for themselves. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. Author's agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown. Illustrator's agency: Shannon Associates. (Mar.)

Gr 4-7--Park's newest foray into fiction is a switch from the historical into the fantastical. In this, the first installment in a trilogy, readers meet Raffa Santana. The young teen protagonist is following in his parents' footsteps and taking on the challenges of apothecary work. Raffa has a deeply profound intuition when it comes to botanical/chemical work. His extreme ability leads him to form uniquely deep relationships with special friends and creatures from the Forest of Wonder. The story is written with skill and well paced. The real beauty in Park's work lies in the relationship she creates between Raffa and Echo the bat. The story contains some high-intensity action scenes that will hook readers. The world-building is intensive; there is clearly a multilayered history and culture underlying the richly detailed setting. This story would be great as a way to create some interest and engagement with students studying chemistry or earth science. VERDICT A strong addition by a wonderfully talented author to diversify middle grade fantasy collections.--Chad Lane, Tulip Grove Elementary School, MD