Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Solid ecology lesson and heart in brief but great sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In INTO THE SHADOW MIST: LEGENDS OF LOTUS ISLAND, Plum and her friends are now Novices, and Plum is declared a Heart Guardian -- one of the future Guardians with healing powers. Only problem? She can talk to animals and plants like no one else can, but she's never healed anything. Even worse, Plum's Heart instructor thinks she healed a pond of wilted lotuses, but she had actually reached over to her friend and enhanced his healing power instead. Plum doesn't know who to tell about this extraordinary new gift -- maybe she's not supposed to have it? Before she can decide what to do, she and five other Novices are whisked away to foggy, chilly Bokati Island for a field study with the oldest Master Guardian, Master Em. They're all excited for the adventure, despite the weather, but are confused by their very first, very vague assignment: "Follow the knobble shroom."
Is It Any Good?
This ecologically minded series continues to impress with a thoughtful main character and lots of heart. The healing powers of Heart Guardians may evade poor Plum, but she has other surprising gifts -- and not just the magical kind. She's a fierce friend, she's driven to do her best and find her purpose, and she develops a wonderful rapport with eccentric Master Em. The delivery of quiet wisdom while trusting the novice to choose what's right for themselves will remind fantasy fans of Ged's eventual relationship with his mentor in Ursula K. Le Guin's Wizard of Earthsea series.
All the Novices respect Master Em, despite his strange directive to "follow the knobble shroom." The chapters that follow are a sheer delight, showing childhood wonder, enthusiasm, and problem solving at its best. If only Into the Shadow Mist didn't take a turn right after the Novices' big discovery, pushing us to this brief installment's finale. Still, the setup for the next book is solid, and curious, eco-minded kids will be thrilled to pick up the next one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the curiosity the Novices demonstrate in Into the Shadow Mist. How does what they learn change how they think about the Bokati trees?
When has your curiosity led you to new discoveries or broader ways of thinking?
Plum would like to be a good Novice, but she's frustrated that her powers are different from the others. How does she use them to help in ways others can't?
What do you think is next for Plum and the other Novices?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Kevin Hong
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship , STEM , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Curiosity , Integrity , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : July 18, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 160
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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