Wand

by Landra Jennings

A dazzling story of grief and found family wrapped in a spellbinding fairy tale, perfect for fans of Anne Ursu and Jodi Lynn Anderson. Eleven-year-old Mira wishes everything could go back to the way it was. Before she changed schools and had to quit gymnastics. Especially before Papa died. Now she spends her days cooking and cleaning for her stepsisters and Val—who she still won’t call mom and still won’t forgive for the terrible thing she did. When a mysterious girl named Lyndame appears out of the woods wielding a powerful wand, she makes Mira an offer she can’t she will grant Mira three wishes. What if magic isn’t just pretend after all? What if these wishes could fix everything? But in the quiet town of Between, Georgia, where secrets lurk and rumors swirl of strange creatures, nothing is as it seems, and everything comes at a price. Rising talent Landra Jennings weaves together an enchanting, modern fairy tale with eloquence and compassion about finding hope after loss—and finding belonging in the places we least expect.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Magic, Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade Fantasy, Magical Realism

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 31, 2023

About the author

Landra writes fanciful books for young people. She is influenced by folk and fairy tales as well as her Southern-USA roots. She has a MFA in Writing for Children and Young adults from Hamline University.

Reviews

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This is a story of a town filled with secrets, loss, and a little bit of magic, with a few enchanting twists.

Set in a tranquil town where not much seems to happen, this is a story of loss, the grief that follows in what was once a family with a father and a mother. At the age of eleven, Mira has lost not only her mother years before, but recently her father. While she knows that she can’t bring them back, her life has changed in unexpected ways, and she feels as though she doesn’t fit in anywhere. She now lives with a stepmother and stepsisters. Not at ‘home’ or at her new school where she has no friends. She misses the friends she had at her old school, and resents having to have quit gymnastics. Instead, she spends her time at home cooking and cleaning, unless she’s in her room, or outside wandering in the woods - which is where she meets Lyndame, a girl with a magic wand who offers to grant her three wishes.

The one thing she wants most of all is to have her family back the way that it was, but she is in those years where appearance and fashion dictate which group of friends one has, but will that really change her life, or how others treat her? Will it bring back her family? And once she receives these new, more ‘fashionable’ clothes, will it make a difference? Or, perhaps, will it make a *positive* difference?

This small town is known to have ’magical creatures’, and she wonders if, perhaps, the rumours of magical creatures are true, and, if so, can they help her find her family. Her real family. Will she take the chance to find them?

A magical, modern day fairy tale for middle school readers, an adventure story filled with twists and turns, a story of family, loss, hope, and love.



Pub Date: 31 Oct 2023

Many thanks for the ARC provided by HarperCollins Children’s Books, Clarion Books

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a middle school librarian, I sometimes read a book and instantly think of a specific student that will connect with that particular book. This is one of those books! I instantly thought of students who NEEDED to read this. So many kids will find this story appealing and engrossing; there are so many kids who are in a place in their lives where this story will really speak to them. What 8-12 year old isn't looking for a place to belong? With a subtle nod to Cinderella, the main character in Wand deals with some big topics and big feelings through an enchanting adventure outside her humdrum town of Between, Georgia into a fascinating fantasy world. Mira, newly orphaned and struggling with intense grief, worries that she'll never belong anywhere. She's pushing away her stepmother and stepsisters and struggling to make friends at her new school. I don't want to give away too much of this sweet story, but the journey that Mira takes is ultimately uplifting; she learns that it's possible to form your own loving and happy family even if it's not how you'd originally pictured things, and people who die never truly leave us. A story that will keep coming back to you days after you've finished.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow up to her debut novel THE WHISPERING FOG, this middle grade fantasy has some creepy elements like “Fog” but is overall a bit lighter in tone. Still grieving the deaths of her father recently,her grandmother a bit farther back and the mother she never knew, 11 year old Mira now lives her step mom, Val, and two younger step sisters, Sara and Beans. But Mira is certain that she is an inconvenience and yearns for life to return to when Papa was there, or maybe when he, Gammy and her mom were still alive. A curious girl with a wand and three proffered wishes may give her the chance to find her loving family once again. Readers and book buyers do not need to fear that the “three wishes” trope is a rehash of other fairy tales and fantasy books; Jennings adds some thoughtful and, at times, unexpected results in the execution of the wishes and the expected misfires. The origin story of the wand and Lyndame, the wand-wielder, centers around a mysterious pond that occasionally spits out odd characters who eventually return to the water that spawned them. Within that watery world are creatures and people including pixies, ogres and witches along with others straight from the author’s imagination. While Mira’s eventual realization that she has a family who love her is expected, the route she uses to reach that conclusion is not and I enjoyed the journey she takes. At only 215 pages, both readers and librarians will be glad of a fantasy novel with less pages than most books in the genre. Text is free of profanity and sexual content; violence is limited to brief and bloodless skirmishes between a few fantastic creatures. Representation: atypical family configuration; race of characters is vague but the cover indicates that Mira is Caucasian and possibly her best friend is Black. Solid choice for lovers of fantasy and sad-happy heartwarming stories about family in grades 4-6.

Thanks for hosting a Twitter/X book giveaway and selecting my name, Landra Jennings.

[Brooke — brooklynnnnereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet junior fiction that was magical and enchanting but also dealt with some serious topics such as death, grief, and complex family dynamics in a fun and age appropriate way.

I loved how this story mixed different elements from classic fairy tales and blended it with the author's ideas. This story fully reminded me of a fairy tale that I would have loved to have read as a child.

There really was some wisdom hidden within these pages that adult readers will also be able to appreciate. Even though I can imagine younger readers will love the story and magic of this book, as an adult you really can appreciate the overall message.

***I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway***

[Erin Bragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spectacular second book by the lovely Landra Jennings. She crafts a beautifully enchanting fairy tale of Mira, a young girl struggling to find a place that truly feels like home. Following the death of her parents, her life is turned upside down and she isn’t quite sure where she belongs. One day as she’s playing in the woods behind her house a mysterious young woman with an odd name, Lyndame, approaches her. She offers Mira a chance to make three wishes. While Mira knows the offer is probably too good to be true, she can’t resist. What ensues is utter chaos as Mira realizes this person isn’t the gift she thought she was. With the help of her family and a few pixies, she’s able to find her way back to happiness and love in the places she least expected.

[As You Wish · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-done story about a girl looking for a family. I love that in the end her eyes are open to the family who has been there for her. The touch of magic is nice, and I like that the author didn't try and explain how the magic works in our world and just let it be.

[Sails and Scales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mira wants to go back to her life before everything changed, when her father was alive, she went to her old school, she was able to go to gymnastics, and she wasn't living with just her stepmother and stepsiblings. When a strange girl with a wand comes and asks her if she wants to make three wishes, it's hard for Mira to say no.

The overall reaction I had to this book was "meh". The characters and story were all flat. It had some interesting concepts —-an evil stepmother who probably isn't as evil as the character thinks, portal travel to a magic world, manipulative fairy-like creatures, sibling dynamics, grief and loss — but it was hard to get attached to any of it. It wasn't a very long book, but the lack of sparkle made it hard to finish.

Thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Can Dragons Read? · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author did an amazing job with the characters and creating this world. The world gives such whimsical and cozy vibes, it was super easy to get sucked into the story.

[Carol Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who can resist opening lines like the following:

Something watched from the kitchen window. Mira noticed it peering in as she gathered the ingredients for the pancakes. (p.1)

Immediately, the reader knows that something unusual is happening on an otherwise normal day. Mira was being watched by a THING.

From that intriguing opening, the reader is immersed in a world that is simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary. The "ordinary": Mira is an eleven-year-old loaded with huge responsiblities to care for her step-sisters, a disfunctional relationship with her step-mother, and feels alone and misunderstood.

The "extraordinary": a huge golden bird who suddenly appears one day, the town's Glass Pond that randomly vomits up strange characters, and Lyndame- a strange looking girl who promises to be the answer to all of Mira's problems.

The reader empathizes with Mira when the three wishes she asks for backfire. Suddenly, the thing she has yearned for (such as a normal family) doesn't seem so great anymore. The reader will want to cry out when Mira turns her back on her younger step-sisters who obviously love her. And they will feel anguish when Mira makes choices and decisions that are dangerous.

Following Greg Pattridge's great example when he reviews books, here are somethings I particularly liked about Wand.

How the author weaves in Mira's backstory and why she distrusts Val.
The mystery of the magical world underneath the Glass Pond.
How Val and her step-sisters follow her into the magical world in order to bring her home.
I was impressed with the world-building of the magical world beneath the Glass Pond.
How Mira realizes that she is looking for a place where she is loved.
When Mira throws away the magic and faces her grief over losing her father.
When she gets ready to return to Between, Georgia she realizes, "Life wasn't exactly as Mira had wanted it to be, she thought as she followed. But maybe everything would be all right."
Mira is a character who learns and grows. Although she faces her fears, anger, and grief in unusual ways, at the end, she has learned to love the people who love her. The more people you love, the bigger your heart gets. (p. 206)

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Be careful what you wish for” is a quote we have often heard But no one explains it better than @Landra Jennings in WAND.

Eleven-year-old Mira Blaise has been living with her two younger stepsisters and her stepmother since her beloved grandmother and her father died. Her mother died when she was a few months old and she has been told very little about her; the only thing she has is a wedding picture and her mother’s amulet pendant which she wears. Since Papa died, they have very little money—Val working multiple jobs, and Mira has left her private school and her gymnastics classes and is not making any friends. Most importantly, Mira is convinced that Val, as she calls her stepmother, only keeps her around to do chores and their babysitter, neighbor Mrs. Sutter is unjustly, it seems, mean to her.

When Mira meets Lyndame a mysterious teen wielding a magic wand, in the woods and is granted 3 wishes, she realizes just how difficult it is to choose the perfect wish which is in some manner to again have the perfect family. And then she discovers that Lyndame is not the benevolent friend she claims to be.

Finding out that her mother probably came to Between from the magical Glass Pond, Mira jumps in, trying to find her mother’s mother. When stepsisters, Sara and Beans and the pixies from the Fairy Village Papa built in their yard, follow her through the perils of this magical kingdom filled with both helpful and ferocious people and animals Mira locates her very strange grandmother and, again, the spiteful, jealous aunt Lyndame. Meanwhile Stepmother Val has also followed her trying to save her, and Mira realizes that she may have had the family she was looking for.

“Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” — David Ogden Stiers, actor
and “There’s no place like home.” – Dorothy Gale, Wizard of Oz

A mesmerizing story for readers who like magical realms as well as those who feel they don’t fit in with their families.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting and sweet adventure! I love the character development of Mira and the family dynamics, and I think tweens will especially love the Glass Pond and adventures of traveling to another world!

Mira was trying so hard to be good, but the only one who seemed to notice was the big, bright bird with the golden feathers that seemed to be popping up wherever she went. Was it following her? And why did her two younger stepsisters never see it? They were certainly ALWAYS hanging around her, and never helping with chores! Moments like these made her miss Papa even more. Things had been so hard since his accident. Mira especially missed him as she went into the backyard to look for the golden bird and say “top of the morning” to the Fairy Village they had built together. This is probably why she was so surprised when the women with the beautiful wand appeared as if out of nowhere! Should Mira believe her offer of three wishes? Was there a catch?
Jennings has written another wonderful book that features a believable heroine, Mira, who is working her way through the stress of growing up, a family in transition after a parent’s death, and magical moments and adventures, woven into normal occurrences of everyday life. As Mira navigates life in a small quiet town with a mysterious secret, eventually traveling to another magical world, she comes to realize that she can find happiness after tragedy, and that love can often be found in unexpected places.
(Read Galley Proof - Book being released Cot 31, 2023)

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of fairytales and portal fantasy. This is my first contact with the writing of this author and I liked it.

Mira lost her father to cancer and before that her grandmother. She now lives with her stepmother and two young step sisters, first, we think of Cinderella, but there's more to it. 

The author wrote well the feeling of being alone in the world, we feel that anguish in the beginning of the book up to the middle, then it becomes lighter with all the adventuring. 

Mira doesn't feel at home with this family and can't forgive her stepmother for a wrong she did. In this stage of grief, we see this family through Mira's eyes and how unhappy Mira is. Someone appears and offers three wishes but when we think the story is going to end and we get the moral of it all, the book begins and starts a fast-paced adventure into a fantasy world with fantastical fairytale creatures. 

Mira just wants a family who loves her, but her grief is blinding her. 

Plot twists. Themes such as grief, becoming an orphan, adopted family, finding a place to belong, dealing with sudden changes, coming of age, and a great lesson: we can't force anyone to love us but we can be mindful of those who already do. 

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the Arc. My opinions are my own and honest.

[Jonathan Pongratz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun middle-grade portal fantasy adventure!

Mira lives with her stepmother and stepsisters Sarah and Beans after her father died. As she helps out with chores around the house she finds herself wanting more from the life she has. When a strange woman appears in the woods beyond her backyard offering wishes to make Mira's life better, Mira is ecstatic. But her wishes turn sour, and as she tries to get things to go back to the way they were she finds herself on a fantasy-filled adventure.

This book had a sense of magic from front to back. Pixies, magical creatures, wands with magic powers, it had it all. I think younger readers will love all the magic in every page, and the tone was positive throughout with nothing too terribly dark.

Mira was interesting to figure out. We learn more about her tragic backstory involving her father's death along the way, and Mira herself is brave and determined. I loved the support that Sarah and Beans provided, and their characters felt very real. Val, Mira's stepmother, had more of a realistic feel to her for a mother and her involvement wasn't overly sugar-coated.

I liked the sense of mystery and magic in each chapter, and the plot moves fast and keeps your attention. No big complaints here. This was a great book, perfect for a young reader looking to dip their toes into portal fantasy.

[Rose Q. Addams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book. While the book did not, ultimately, disappoint me (I was looking for an interesting, clean, light middle-grade read)... it took a large chunk of such a small book to really grab me. I was waiting for more answers than actually came for quite awhile. However, when the reveals and action came, they were worth it. There were, however, gaps in the story that I wanted explanations on that never came. Someone (I won't spoil it for you) has a narrow brush with death, but there's not much explanation on HOW they actually survived. There is little closure on the rhino, and I really wanted to know more about him, for no particular reason.

Cons: There is death threats, magic being used for personal gain (and you can tell it's not a good thing), and a child insults someone by calling them a "hiney-hole".

Pros: There is an excellent theme of looking for and being grateful for the love and people in your life that you have, instead of looking for circumstances to make you happier. The aforementioned magic is proven to be not only ineffective in making things good, but dangerous.

All in all, not the best novel I've read, but not a bad fluff book in Between other reads. ;)

[Shea Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and publisher for the Goodreads Giveaway!

This middle school aged book gives a nod at Cinderella. Grieving her recently passed father and grandmother, Mira lives in a small town in Georgia with her stepmother and stepsisters. Feeling like a burden and not belonging, she meets Lyndame, a mysterious girl, from the woods behind her house who can grant her three wishes. Don't worry though, because these wishes take an unexpected turn.

This is all I'm going to tell you in this review. But I can guarantee, lovers of the fantasy genre won't be able to put this book down. I know I couldn't! Although short, it's a must-read!

[Jo Hackl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a touching and engaging story about the importance of family. I was swept away by Mira’s story and immersed in her grief and uncertainty. Mira is caught between two worlds: the world of her father and the life she used to have, and the life she has today. I enjoyed the gothic elements, the adventure, and the relationships between the sisters. It was hard to put down! Perfect for readers ages 8 to 12. It would also be wonderful for a younger child as a read-aloud—there is nothing inappropriate or particularly scary.

[Leigh Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a fantasy reader. I do not "live" well in unknown worlds so I was hesitant to start Wand by Landra Jennings. But I adored Mira, the main character. Mira has lost everyone she has loved and has forgotten the words her dad once told her, "The more people you love, the bigger your heart gets." As she struggles to find her true home, she realizes the place we belong is right where we are. This book has a touch of fairytale magic, enchantment, and pixie dust but enough realism to hold me grounded in the story. At 215 pages, this book will appeal to many of my readers.

[Michelle Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book! A beautifully written combination of spooky mystery, suspense, and thrill, but also addresses two of life's most craved needs - unconditional love and the support of family. Mira grows in her understanding of what it means to be a family and she accepts that although she does not view her family as "perfect", it is certainly good enough for her!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely tale! So glad to have been selected for a copy through the Goodreads giveaways. Thank you to Harper Collins and Landra Jennings for the autographed copy. Really enjoyed this story even though it is a middle school age book and I am far from those days! Everyone loves a little magic now and then!

[Sincerely Sutton💚📚 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t recommend reading this book. It doesn’t have a good plot. It didn’t have very good characters and it kept throwing in extra stuff to the plot so there was no main thing to focus on. I think it would be a good book if it had better characters and didn’t throw so many things at once in. I think this book only deserves 1 star. Don’t read this book.

Sincerely,
Sutton💚📚

[Josh Branan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully written and enchanting story.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Atmospheric, Southern fantasy with the same sort of vie as Natalie Lloyd or Corey Ann Haydu.

[Vincenza Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun to read. The characters are interesting and the plot kept me turning the pages.

[Cj Otaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like the main character so much. For someone grieving and longing for love, why can't she see all the love offered by her step mom and step sisters?

[Deanna Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Very cute story with a bit of magic as well as dealing with feelings both sad and happy. Not to mention that sometimes not all family need to be blood related.

[Hannah H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely more middle-grade than I anticipated (but hey, the description does give the age of Mira, so that's on me), but I still enjoyed it quite a bit. I think the magical system works well for the intended audience; not too advanced that it was hard to understand and not super simplistic -- I like that there's an open door for more books being written in this world.

[Kim Krapf · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly engaging middle grade fantasy novel! Mira is a young girl who recently lost her father, living a life where she just doesn’t fit anymore. She’s had to leave her old school and she can’t do gymnastics anymore, which she loved. No one at her new school likes her. Val - Mira’s step-mother - can’t afford to pay for the sorts of clothes and things the popular kids have. She doesn’t even have her Gammy anymore, as she passed away in the year before her father. She’s stuck with Val, who married her father just weeks before he passed away, and Val’s two daughters, Sara and Bean. But Mira is sure she only has a place with Val’s family so long as she can make herself useful - certainly not because Val wants her there.

When a strange young woman named Lyndame appears offering her three wishes, Mira is sure this is an opportunity to fix her life. But as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for...

This is a touching story about what truly makes a family, and that sometimes what we want and what we need bear remarkably little resemblance to each other. This very compelling and grounded story is infused and lifted with magic and whimsy, from wands and magical ponds to pixies. I highly recommend this novel for the middle grade set. Five out of five stars! Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy of this book!

[KInla Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Mira. She is such a courageous little heroine. A beautiful story that I am sure I will read again and again.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story with a touch of magic. This was a cute story of a lonely little girl who feels unwanted and mistreated and the lengths she will go to feel loved and go fit in. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read an advance copy.

[Lisa L Graeb · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely heartwarming story

I thoroughly enjoyed Wand! Mira was such a relatable character and her feelings and emotions about her family were well written—you could “feel” her frustration through the text. The magical encounters in the book were fun and unusual while adding just a little darkness to make things uncomfortable and exciting. Thank you Landra for another great story!!