Book Review of Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test
The Children’s Book Review
Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test
Written by Christina Soontornvat
Illustrated by Kevin Hong
Ages: 8-12 | 160 Pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (2023) | ISBN: 978-1-338-75915-0
What to Expect: Magic, School, Friendship, Sustainability, and Mindfulness.
Steeped in a fantasy rendition of Asian culture and mythology, The Guardian Test is a fast-paced, fresh, and riveting twist on fantasy school stories.
Plum has a real gift—for plants, and animals, and growing the garden on her grandparents’ island. However, when her grandfather secretly applies for her to go to Lotus Island to hone her gift and become a Guardian—a magical protector of the natural world—Plum thinks he’s crazy. She’s just an ordinary farmer—how can she be a magical hero?
To her dismay, life at the school seems to prove her right, as she struggles through the lessons, lagging far behind her classmates who are learning to transform into fantastic creatures. Even so, the school begins to teach Plum things she never thought about before: her mother’s wish that she become a guardian, the struggle between the guardians and humans greedy for more land and development, and something much, much more worrying—the power of the Guardians is weakening. But how can Plum do anything about any of it if she can’t master her powers?
A wonderful anti-hero, Plum, whose reluctance to be special and thoughtful reflections on the world around her serve as a counterpoint to the many self-centered heroines of classic fantasy. Soontornvat’s world is rich and expansive, filled with everyday details that bring both characters and settings to vivid life. The prose is simple enough for readers just transitioning from beginner chapter books, but nevertheless delivers a story complex enough to keep the interest of more advanced readers. Kevin Hong’s beautiful black-and-white, anime-style illustrations are scattered throughout the book, helping readers visualize key scenes.
Finally, with its championship of mindfulness and meditation, the story invites readers to connect meaningfully with their own worlds and bodies. The Guardian Test is a fantastic start to what promises to be a gripping series.
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About the Author
Christina Soontornvat is the author of several books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor books The Last Mapmaker, A Wish in the Dark, and All Thirteen, and the bestselling graphic novel The Tryout. Christina holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Science Education. She spent a decade working in the science museum field, where she designed programs and exhibits to get kids excited about science and STEM. Christina lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, two young children, and one old cat.
You can learn more about her work at soontornvat.com.
Dr. Jen Harrison reviewed Legends of Lotus Island – The Guardian Test. Discover more books like Legends of Lotus Island – The Guardian Test by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Magic, School, Friendship, Sustainability, and Mindfulness.
