Holly Wild: Bamboozled on Beaver Island

by Lori Taylor

Holly H. Wild has dreamed of following in the
footsteps of her Wild relatives for ten years. Legends like
Daisy Crockett Wild and Jenny Appleseed Wild. When she
and her friends, twins Sierra and Tierra Hills, travel to
Beaver Island, they come face to face with unruly villains,
monsters, and wild island wildlife. Will Holly become the
hero that she has always dreamed of?

Genres: Juvenile

162 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

I am a proud native Michigander artist/author/illustrator grandma and I have loved drawing, reading and writing since I was a tot. I grew up on 5 acres of pines and ponds on the edge of a mysterious wood in Clarkston, MI. This was my very own playground. My brother and sisters and I would spend our days in the woods playing and making forts.
I made books and games early on and still remember the day that my mother took me into our library at age nine!
I have spent over 30 years making art and illustrations professionally. I have been artist-in-residence for the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park (2007) and the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (2008). I hike, bike, fish, hunt, bird, kayak, backpack, camp and wander, sketch and write about Michigan's amazing parks and wild places.
Books and book-making are my passions!

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, it took me months to read this book because every time my 7 year old daughter saw me reading it, she'd snatch it from me to re-read. (I can't even tell you how many times she's re-read this book!)

As for my thoughts, this is an excellent middle grade adventure following down-to-earth heroine, Holly Wild. Holly is a refreshing contrast to the plugged-in princess culture. Holly prefers to explore the natural world around her with her best friends, Sierra and Tierra. (They're twins.) The girls are not afraid to get dirty and their active imaginations lead them to make some great discoveries. This book combines elements of mystery, adventure, and education. But it's all done in a fun way that includes poop, a mysterious rotting thing on the beach, and the great state of Michigan. Girls will benefit from a female character who isn't afraid of snakes and mud. Due to the lack of pink frills or romance, boys can enjoy this story as well. The book also promotes the good old fashioned joy of poking things with a stick.

An added bonus: quirky, fun illustrations throughout the book not only bring the characters to life, but they're also used to convey information about animal tracks, plants, and weather. It even includes simple instructions for kids to make their own mini-explorer pack and field notebook. The book encourages kids to get outside and star in their own adventures.


A solid story with unique characters and lots of kid-friendly information about nature. I really enjoyed this book, and my daughter certainly does too. We will definitely follow Holly Wild's adventures as the series continues.

[Art Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 10-year-old daughter got all 4 books from this series as a gift from her Pappy in Michigan. She picked the first one for her school reading assignment and is nearly finished. She is excited to read the other three. A really great series for Michigan folks and others who may want to enjoy fun tales from that area by a Michigan author. Highly recommended!

[J.D. Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a bit conflicted, but I'm going to give this 5 stars. It's no fault of the book that I don't like mysteries. This story is mostly adventure and slice-of-life, so I'm willing to forgive the mysterious aspects of it. Plus I'm lenient when the author gives me a discount on her books. :D Review coming ... six months later ... to http://moonlit-librarian.blogspot.com...

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love these books!!!