The Search for WondLa

Book cover image from Amazon.


I recently read an amazing book that I've been recommending to practically every patron who walks in the door.  The Search for WondLa by Toni DiTerlizzi is the first in a projected trilogy, which reads like a sci-fi Wizard of Oz. 

The story introduces us to twelve-year-old Eva Nine, with her futuristic braids and cell-phone-like Omnipod, who is forced to flee her underground sanctuary and robot Muthr after an intruder attacks.  All she takes with her are meager supplies and a question: What is the meaning of "WondLa", and how did the letters find their way into her sanctuary's secret tunnel?

Eva lives in a world strangely distorted from our own, with oddly exotic plants, talking animals, and mechanical marvels, and her unintended journey onto the surface of her planet leads her to meet new friends, including the tender-hearted Rovender Kitt and the elephantine flying beast, Otto, as well as discover the dark origins of her home and perhaps, her true purpose. 

DiTerlizzi's tale feels wonderfully nostalgic, and like classic kids' novels of yesteryear, is sprinkled liberally with pages of olive-tinted illustrations drawn by the author.  You can check out DiTerlizzi's website for some behind-the-scenes info on WondLa (and some neat glimpses of forthcoming book illustrations).  If you have a chance to stop by the library and pick up one last book for vacation reading, I highly recommend this one.  The only thing you'll be disappointed in?  That you have to wait for the sequel. 

Keep reading!

Shaen