Book Review: Northwood - Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile

Media Type: Ebook (ARC)
Title: Northwood
Illustrator: Donovan Bixley
Author: Brian Falkner
Publisher: Capstone Books for Young Readers
Pages: Hardcover; 282
Release Date: January 1, 2014
Source: NetGalley
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Content Screening: Nothing of note

HDB Rating: 4 Keys to My Heart

Recommended to: Young readers who love unpredictable adventure and fun characters

Add it on: Goodreads / Amazon / BookLikes

The dark forest of Northwood has never seen the likes of Cecilia Undergarment before …

Cecilia Undergarment likes a challenge. So when she discovers a sad and neglected dog, she is determined to rescue him. No matter what. But her daring dog rescue lands her in deep trouble. Trouble in the form of being lost in the dark forest of Northwood. A forest where ferocious black lions roam. A forest that hides a secret castle, an unlikely king and many a mystery. A forest where those who enter never return. But Cecilia is determined to find her way home. No matter what.

Thank you Brian Falkner. Thank you for writing the kind of book that I was craving! Northwood is the reminiscent of the stories I adored as a child. Fairy tales, filled with dark forests, brave heroes, and hidden castles. It’s the type of story that is unpredictable, and filled with adventure. The type of story that doesn’t talk down to its young readers, but instead embraces them within its pages. This is the stuff that bedtime stories are made of.

Cecelia stole my heart. Our heroine in this book, she isn’t just brave but smart and honest as well. I think the perfect word for Cecelia is tenacious. She just doesn’t give up! Whenever things weren’t going her way, she worked around it. Sure, she was afraid at times. What ten year old wouldn’t be? She just never let it get in her way. Cecelia’s character is the perfect role model for the young readers who will fall in love with this book.

Northwood blends Cecelia’s adventures with a fair bit of humor as well. Avery and Evan, our supporting characters on this adventure, were tons of fun! Bickering twins, these two were like night and day. Headstrong Avery, who was always willing to jump into danger when necessary. Sweet, silly Evan who tried so hard to seem smart that he was constantly misusing big words. These two bring a lightness to the story. Trials and tribulations come their way, but these three always keep their heads up.

In fact, this whole story is just filled with the perfect kind of whimsy that will make young readers, and readers who are young at heart, smile and laugh. Houses made of balloons, hairy and evil Kings, and so much more. I can’t deny that I fell in love with Miss Cecelia Undergarment. I’d happily follow her into any adventure she happens upon. Once again, thank you to Brian Falkner. Northwood spoke straight to my inner child, and delighted her to no end.

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