Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Exciting enchanted forest adventure to save baby brother.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 18 kid reviews
Kids say the book features a rich narrative filled with complex characters and vivid descriptions that capture an adventurous and sometimes gruesome fantasy world, making it particularly suitable for advanced readers. However, the pacing is slow, and some reviews mention a lack of excitement, with recommendations leaning towards older audiences due to its violence and mature themes.
- rich narrative
- complex characters
- slow pacing
- advanced readers
- mature themes
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When her baby brother, Mac, is carried away by a flock of crows, seventh grader Prue McKeel embarks on a rescue mission that takes her away from her familiar Portland, Oregon, neighborhood and into the Impassable Wilderness. Accompanied by Curtis, a socially awkward schoolmate, Prue explores a strange land where gun-wielding coyotes, battle-ready bandits, intrepid forest creatures, and peaceable mystics all react to the machinations of the evil Dowager Governess. Prue and Curtis' first obligation is to save Mac, but they learn that the kidnapped infant is only one part of a scheme to destroy nearly everything in the forest known as Wildwood.
Is It Any Good?
WILDWOOD is an exciting, charming, and clever tale that finds a unique kind of magic in the forest of the Pacific Northwest. The plot has echoes of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, but it is not an imitation of its influences, presenting an unusual and well-drawn mix of adult, child, and animal characters. Meloy has a pleasant, unaffected style, and Ellis' illustrations perfectly complement the text. The first part of a trilogy, Wildwood resolves its central conflict satisfactorily while leaving enough tantalizing loose ends for further exploration.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about babysitting in Wildwood. What precautions should be taken, even if kidnapping by crows is not high on the list of real-life dangers? When should parents be alerted that something isn't right?
Prue discovers a family secret about herself and her baby brother. Are there some facts that parents are entitled to keep from their young children?
The novel's villain, the Dowager Governess, lost both her husband and her young son. What effect might grief have on a person, and how might it change the way they view other people?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Carson Ellis
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals ( Wild Animals , Mice ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Balzer + Bray
- Publication date : August 30, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 17
- Number of pages : 546
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 28, 2026
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