The Door in the Forest
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4.0 • 4 Ratings
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- $4.99
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
At the mid point of three towns, in the center of three streams, in the heart of a forest, lies a mysterious island. Encircled by quicksand and sewn shut by vines, it is impenetrable to all but the poisonous snakes patrolling its waters. But Daniel is determined to get there, along with his friend Emily.
Emily is a bit mysterious herself. A girl who seems to know more than she can say, whose mother was taken away by government troops, and whose eccentric grandmother reads the future in her bubble bath.
Enter the soldiers. Their menacing commander is terribly interested in sleepy little Everwood. Is he searching for something? A treasure map? The island? The girl?
Roderick Townley spins a magical tale of lies and truths, of secrets kept and secrets revealed.
Sooner or later, we all must step through the door in the forest.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this moving fantasy, 14-year-old Daniel has lived his entire life in little Everwood, untouched by the violent Uncertainties terrorizing the cities. His world changes, however, with the arrivals of Emily Byrdsong, granddaughter of the local witch, and, later, the menacing Captain Sloper, who heads a small army. Despite its idyllic appearance, Everwood has a secret. In the nearby river is a mysterious, unreachable island, protected by deadly water snakes and quicksand; the last time someone tried to row there, "something ripped long gashes in the hull before it got halfway across." Emily, whose mother has been arrested in the Uncertainties, believes that she has heard her mother's voice calling from the island and becomes obsessed with reaching it. Sloper, thinking it hides a rebel weapons cache, becomes similarly obsessed. Daniel wants to reach the island simply because it's mysterious, but also because he's falling in love with Emily. When the children reach their goal, Townley (The Blue Shoe) provides revelations that are both comic and awesome. Reminiscent of the work of Diana Wynne Jones, this lovely tale should impress young readers. Ages 8 12.
