Book Review of The Guardian of The Crystal Skull
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The Children’s Book Review
The Guardian of The Crystal Skull
Written by Sally Landaker
Ages 8+ | 224 Pages
Publisher: Wise Women Ink | ISBN-13: 9781455626489
What to Expect: Magic, adventure, family, responsibility
Filled with both magic and gritty realism, The Guardian of The Crystal Skull explores complex topics like sickness, climate change, and duty through the lens of adventure and magic.
When Sonia discovers an ancient, glowing crystal skull in a cave near her home, she has no idea how much the discovery will forever change her life—and her world. Sonia learns that she is the guardian of the skull, destined to heal the world by taking the skull on a quest to the Gathering for Peace on Mount Shasta. However, the skull doesn’t just bring hope; trouble seems to follow in its wake. From the strange music her cousin starts hearing after the skull heals him to the thieves pursuing the skull and its magic for themselves, Sonia discovers she may have signed up for more than she can chew off.
Central to the story is the idea that the world needs healing, and that young people have the power to help this transformation take place. As such, this is also a potent narrative about young people’s agency to shape their futures. Sonia is a relatable character, and readers will enjoy watching her mature and grow into her leadership role as the story progresses.
The Guardian of The Crystal Skull is an exciting and thought-provoking new addition to the magic realism genre for middle-grade readers.
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About the Author
Sally Landaker grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended the University of California in Berkeley. While seeking a teaching position beyond the city, she and her husband discovered majestic Mount Shasta in far Northern California. They went no further. Sally taught for many years at the elementary level, appreciating the spontaneity and sense of wonder natural to young children. She loved sharing delightful, compelling children’s literature with her students.
In a dream, she discovered a crystal skull in a cave. That dream took form and expanded into two novels for young people, first The Cave of the Crystal Skull and now the sequel The Guardian of the Crystal Skull. In these books, adventurous kids are challenged to take on difficult, soul-searching tasks as they delve deeper into the cave and find a connection to Lemurians living within Mount Shasta. She hopes this contribution to children’s literature will expand young people’s minds to the endless possibilities of our world.
From her home on Black Mountain Sally spends an inordinate time gazing at Mount Shasta, a place steeped in legends of Lemurians, extra-terrestrials, and other mystical creatures. She loves reading, writing, and playing pickleball while enjoying the antics of her exuberant dog and her two less-than-tolerant cats.
For more information, visit www.wisewomenink.com and Facebook.
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