Into the Wild
Into the Wild
By: Sarah Beth Durst
By now you all realize that I love me my fairy tales and new versions/takes of the old stories. The premise of Into the Wild is imaginative and unique: Julie lives with her mother, Zel (as in, Rapunzel) and her brother, Boots (as in, Puss-in-Boots). Every once in awhile the dwarves come over for dinner (yes, Snow's 7) and if she's really lucky, her Grandmother, Gothel (the wicked witch) will show up as well. That's truly a rare treat as Gothel rarely leaves the Wishing Well Motel where she guards the well that could undo all they've worked for.
When Julie turns on the tv the day after their dinner with the dwarves and her grandmother, she sees immediately what has happened: the Wild has gotten free. You see, Julie and her mother were the protectors of the Wild, the place where fairy tales live. Zel, Cinderella, Goldielocks and so many more had finally managed to escape thanks to Zel's leadership, but now they're all being sucked back in to continue telling their tale over and over - unless Julie can stop it.
Julie's a great protagonist who has to think before she acts in order to successfully complete her mission: getting her mom back and the Wild back under her bed where it now belongs. Her heart's desire is the key to the ending of the story, but it's up to Julie to make the right decision. This tale is of family, love and friendship will have you on the edge of your seat the entire ride. It's imaginative and exquisitely done, especially when you look at how many different fairy tales are incorporated into this one tale. It takes all of Julie's knowledge of fairy tales to fight the Wild, but will she succumb to the Wild in the end? It knows a lot and uses people she loves against her, but will it succeed in the end?
You may be wondering how the Wild got out, especially since Julie and her mother were protecting it. Let's just say it involves the night of the dinner, the Three Bears (from Goldilocks), the well and a wish. The savvy reader will pick up close to the beginning of the tale just who the culprit is (and if not, you'll get it in the end), but it's not the point of the story and I'm willing to bet it'll have something to do with the sequel, Out of the Wild.
Recommended To:
- Fairy-tale lovers
- Adventure junkies
- Talking-animal lovers
- Everyone!
Notes on the Cover:
This is a cover that will attract more girls than boys. The purple/pink color combination will have that effect on people. Admittedly, they're not colors of choice to me, but at the same time they are striking. The purple background with the vines of the wild growing out of the right side of the book are fascinating, there's more there than what a quick glance will show. I like that at least we see an outline of Julie and Boots and it's not just a part of her body without a head - it's the outline of an entire girl! Oh happy day!
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