Between Worlds

Gr 6–9—Years ago, the residents of Eden Grove were encouraged to create stories around "Mystery Forest," an old aspen grove outside of town. One of the more enduring tales was that of a tree located in the exact center of the forest that would grant wishes. When Mayberry, a recent transfer student to the high school, hears of this wishing tree, she is intrigued. Her one and only friend, Marshall, a fellow social outcast with a secret crush on Mayberry, agrees to help her locate it. They find the elusive tree and jointly wish to be transported to an alien world where magic exists. This new world, Nith, is populated with fantastical creatures, many of them intent on killing the teens. The pair must use their magical abilities and wits to survive and hopefully return home. This is an inventive and fluid fantasy novel with likable characters. There is an app that readers can download for "immersive augmented reality," which allows them to delve deeper into the history of the creatures.