The World Behind the Door (Greenwild #1)

Finely detailed illustrations by Paganelli join Baker’s equally exact botanical ones. Another magic school story, albeit expertly wrought and worth planting on shelves for its cogent themes.

Plant magic and majestic botanicals add fresh twists to debut author Thomson's series kickoff, a novel tinged with Frances Hodgson Burnett vibes. Eleven-year-old Daisy Thistledown, who is of English and Persian descent, usually travels the world with her intrepid reporter mother, but she's left at a London boarding school while her mom chases a dangerous assignment in Peru. When her mom is presumed dead after a plane crash, and the school Matron's actions turn both cruel and suspicious, Daisy and kitten Napoleon flee for London's Kew Gardens, where her mother bid her go if anything went wrong. There, Daisy--who's always had a strange connection with plants--is stunned to find an entry to a botanical realm called Greenwild, cared for by magical Botanists. Discovering that her mother is one of many Greenwilders to go missing from the Amazon, Daisy seeks to find out what is behind the disappearances in the mundane world, called the Grayside. Though conveniently rendered circumstances sometimes detract from this bright conservationist fantasy, Daisy's globe-trotting experiences grant her a mature worldview as she contends with a new magical reality, and a hidden-garden-set subplot proves affectionatly wrought. Lavish b&w illustrations by Paganelli and Baker portray characters, gardens, and botanical visuals. Ages 8-12. Author's agent: Peter Knapp, Park and Fine Literary. (June)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

An Amazon Best Book of the Month

"The start of a dazzling series about a girl's determination to find her mother, Thomson's debut blooms with gorgeous wildlife descriptions that shape Greenwild's world-building and its diverse inhabitants... aspiring young explorers will happily spend time in this emotionally gripping adventure." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review

"Step into a world where magic and adventure collide in an enchanting middle-grade novel that will transport readers to a world as wild as it is wonderful." — Melissa de la Cruz, New York Times bestselling author of The Chronicles of Never After series

"Phenomenal . . . If you don't believe in magic, you will after you've read Greenwild." — A.F. Steadman, bestselling author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief

"Greenwild is a thrilling adventure that takes seed in your imagination and runs wild! This enthralling story is entwined with the magic of the natural world, and in Daisy Thistledown, Pari Thomson has created a brave and endearing hero who grows with each new challenge. Elisa Paganelli's stunning illustrations make this a truly wonderful book that children will love." — M.G. Leonard, bestselling author of Beetle Boy and the Adventures on Trains series

"Expertly wrought and worth planting on shelves." — Kirkus

"Plant magic and majestic botanicals add fresh twists to debut author Thomson's series kickoff, a novel tinged with Frances Hodgson Burnett vibes." — Publishers Weekly

"Bursting with charm and imagination, Greenwild is a rare and wondrous treasure that had me spellbound from first page to last." — Catherine Doyle, author of Twin Crowns

"This charmingly detailed story is truly a garden of delights, full of danger and magic, mystery and friendship. Daisy's thrilling adventures will sweep you into a botanical world of delightful possibilities and sinister threats, while themes of environmental conservation and community cooperation will resonate with readers of all ages." — Jennifer Adam, author of The Last Windwitch

"I adored this wild and wondrous adventure . . . After delving into the lush, magical world of Greenwild, I never wanted to leave!" — Maria Kuzniar, author of Midnight in Everwood and The Ship of Shadows

"A spellbinding, enchanting read full of wildness and beauty." — Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear

"A wildly accomplished debut, woven through with a rare enchantment... I fell utterly in love with this sharply beautiful, contemporary adventure, of a courageous girl seeking to find her brilliant mother and uncovering a diverse heritage of wild magic." — Cerrie Burnell, author of Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella

"A wonderfully whimsical story with a beautiful world - and lots of mystery and adventure - for readers to immerse themselves in. Pari Thomson is an exciting new author." — Aisha Bushby, author of A Pocketful of Stars

"Wildly thrilling and beautifully written, Greenwild is the most special type of adventure. An immensely accomplished debut, rooted with magic!" — Carlie Sorosiak, author of I, Cosmo

"A glorious, page-turning adventure filled with botanical magic, memorable characters, oodles of imagination and bags of heart. Thomson has created a gorgeous, utterly believable world as magical and magnificent as the Amazon rainforest itself. I adored this book!" — Aisling Fowler, author of the Fireborn series

"A wildly inventive adventure, bursting with beautiful detail and a satisfying plot as twisty as magical vines! Green-fingered and big-hearted, I loved it!" — Tamzin Merchant, author of The Hatmakers

"GREENWILD is a spellbindingly magical book full of adventure, hope, and lessons for us all to learn here in our world." — L. D. Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency

"A beautifully realised eco-fantasy that will open a door in readers' hearts." — Chris Riddell, author of the Ottoline series