Into the Glades
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Into the Glades is a modern-day fantasy set in the American South. After her father dies suddenly, Cordelia, her best friend, Larkin, and their two younger brothers set off into the swamp to have him brought back to life. Author Laura Sebastian weaves a tale of loss and redemption. There are a few mildly scary scenes as the children fend off belligerent swamp creatures. Some readers may be upset by the loss of a parent.
What's the Story?
As INTO THE GLADES begins, Cordelia's magician father dies unexpectedly and sets the entire swamp into chaos. Although encouraged to stay and grieve in her village, Cordelia sets off with three companions to seek a way to bring her father back to life. As she travels deeper into the swamp, she encounters menacing beasts and discovers a new family member.
Is It Any Good?
The death of a parent is a major trauma, and this heartfelt fantasy offers a way toward acceptance. In Into the Glades, author Laura Sebastian depicts a village in crisis, and puts her characters through an emotional wringer as they explore their growing magical powers and wrestle with the meaning of mortality. Sebastian keeps the story from becoming too heavy by providing lots of action and comic relief (one character produces magical boogers). Into the Glades is a captivating stand-alone fantasy, with a setting and characters worth visiting again.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Into the Glades presents an alternate version of Florida. In what ways are the creatures in the book similar to those found in the Everglades?
How do kids react when one of their parents dies unexpectedly? What resources are available to help them?
Do people in different cultures grieve differently from each other? What ways do you know that kids and families mourn the death of a loved one?
Book Details
- Author: Laura Sebastian
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Brothers and Sisters, Bugs, Friendship
- Character Strengths: Courage, Empathy, Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: October 25, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 304
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: December 13, 2022
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