Dave Matthews Band

Fantastic theme: honors traumas experienced but also encourages change, healing, and finding one's true path. I know I've mentioned before that I question books that show young kids taking charge and acting when adults don't (because I worry that it will encourage youth to put themselves in harm's way). But either I've changed or this author does a better job of showing some adult involvement & awareness. It is certainly true that the youth are the ones that are going to have to deal with show more the world we create, so it makes sense that they should have a role. And it's also true that often younger people aren't so hidebound in tradition and can "think outside the box" for solutions. But 10 years old was certainly too young to shoulder the responsibility for the safety of her community....which is why she collapsed into what was essentially a catatonic state for a while. The story does a good job of showing, 4 years later, the growing trust, respect, and love in the new family.
Such a creative defense to the invaders!! And the ending gives us hope despite an awareness that there may be future invasions.
My 12 yr old granddaughter said she stopped reading the book partway thru. Now that I've read it, I want to talk with her to see what made her stop, and (if it wasn't just being too busy) to encourage her to keep going to the end. show less

Story with a strong message about acceptance, family, community and finding the courage to stand together for something you believe is important. Kirra lives in a secret community inside a volcano. When the Takers come and destroy her home, Kirra seeks shelter with the Tree People. Viewed as an outsider but accepted by her new community, she must face her past when the Takers threaten to destroy her new home.
This was a great YA novel that was short, easy to read and teaches us about the show more importance of coming together to protect our homes. Thank you to Netgalley for providing an e-galley. show less

Great story, but the premise of kids building "forest giants" is too implausible for a story written in a relatively realistic vein. Still, 3½*** and would be higher if the final battle scene were more plausibly constructed.

Ah, I see now. Published by Disney-Hyperion. I noticed right away that it's very visual, absolutely ready to be a movie. But, oh, wait, we already have *Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind* and Avatar for the environmental and pacifist themes, and a host of movies about overcoming grief, and finding strength in community, etc.

Is this book for ppl who prefer to watch movies? Cuz it's not for me, a person who prefers to read books. I got to p. 50, 1/6 of the book, and am moving along. I do show more admit, however, that the art is beautiful. show less