Marvelous Middle Grade Monday & Giveaway of Wildwood by Colin Meloy & Carson Ellis

Happy Marvelous Middle Grade Monday everyone! Finally back up and running in the land of internet and can’t think of a better day to start it off with. And can’t think of a better book. It was one I picked up from Chapters in Lethbridge and I devoured it. Well. Devoured it except when I was reading it really slow so I could savour the language and world and stopping the reading entirely so I could stay in the world a little longer…if that makes sense. Right then. The book? Here it be:

From Indie Bound:

Prue McKeel’s life is ordinary. At least until her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows. And then things get really weird.

You see, on every map of Portland, Oregon, there is a big splotch of green on the edge of the city labeled “I.W.” This stands for “Impassable Wilderness.” No one’s ever gone in—or at least returned to tell of it.

And this is where the crows take her brother.

So begins an adventure that will take Prue and her friend Curtis deep into the Impassable Wilderness. There they uncover a secret world in the midst of violent upheaval, a world full of warring creatures, peaceable mystics, and powerful figures with the darkest intentions. And what begins as a rescue mission becomes something much bigger as the two friends find themselves entwined in a struggle for the very freedom of this wilderness.

A wilderness the locals call Wildwood.


This tale captivated me from the opening chapter. So rich in language and setting, characters, world building it begs to be read out loud. Now, I have no kids at home, so yes I chased down my husband with “you have to listen to this part.” I know a book is going to make it into my book talk pile when I start thinking of how I will share it. Still working out the book talks, but in the meantime, as a MMGM share, this is mine. ‘Course, love it so much I want to make it a giveaway. All you need to do is comment to enter. If you have a latest great read or are reading something you can’t put down, do let me know. Not required to be entered, I just like hearing what everyone else is loving. This contest is open internationally (as long as Book Depository delivers to your country) and you have until midnight (mst), Sunday Sept.18, 2011.

Oh. Do check out the site the authors have. It is…marvelous!

Wildwood by Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis | Wildwood Chronicles

Speaking of marvelous, go here to find out more about Marvelous Middle Grade Monday and check out other bloggers taking part.

Happy reading!