What do you think?
Rate this book
Sticks n' Stones and the Garden of Phea
Rather than spending one more day amongst the humiliating remarks to the amusement of her fellow peers, Emily Fickeltin runs away. Or, rather, walks away.
Emily is misunderstood and disliked by what seems to be every other child her age and on topof it all, she is overweight. Her attempt to escape her pain leads her to discover a hidden place with new hope for friends and acceptance, though she cannot stay long. In this magical garden, Emily meets Phea and finds that she is not the only one looking for an escape. Together they battle their inner most demons.
Will they ever discover peace and acceptance? These two lost and disheartened souls must find who they are before they are both lost forever.
Emily is misunderstood and disliked by what seems to be every other child her age and on topof it all, she is overweight. Her attempt to escape her pain leads her to discover a hidden place with new hope for friends and acceptance, though she cannot stay long. In this magical garden, Emily meets Phea and finds that she is not the only one looking for an escape. Together they battle their inner most demons.
Will they ever discover peace and acceptance? These two lost and disheartened souls must find who they are before they are both lost forever.
122 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2014
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 14, 2015
First and foremost, thank you for your interest in my book! Just your desire to read my thoughts here in this review is humbling. This story is directed toward middle school age and younger, but I believe everyone can enjoy this fantastical story of facing down bullies, discovering new worlds, searching for a past, and fighting for existence.
Sticks n' Stones first began after rummaging through my great-grandparents house for the first time in 2011. The home was built by my great-grandfather and they seemed to have saved everything. Everything. Every cabinet and drawer had its key, every lamp had been rewired for electricity, even toys from my grandmothers childhood were found. The most exciting of discoveries were the two massive trunks in the basement I learned they had brought all their possessions in on their trek from Italy to America.
I wanted to know more and though my aunt put together all the documents on our family she could find, I could still feel a loss at having never heard the story straight from the source. And truly, I never will. My loss, however, is your gain as my imagination went wild and formed the mysterious story surrounding the trunk in Emily's school library. Emily takes you along to unravel a mystery in finding what truly defines us as individuals.
Sticks n' Stones first began after rummaging through my great-grandparents house for the first time in 2011. The home was built by my great-grandfather and they seemed to have saved everything. Everything. Every cabinet and drawer had its key, every lamp had been rewired for electricity, even toys from my grandmothers childhood were found. The most exciting of discoveries were the two massive trunks in the basement I learned they had brought all their possessions in on their trek from Italy to America.
I wanted to know more and though my aunt put together all the documents on our family she could find, I could still feel a loss at having never heard the story straight from the source. And truly, I never will. My loss, however, is your gain as my imagination went wild and formed the mysterious story surrounding the trunk in Emily's school library. Emily takes you along to unravel a mystery in finding what truly defines us as individuals.
April 16, 2014
Very cute and a lesson learned about being excepted and loving yourself. I enjoyed Emily's journey in discovering who she was and learning to love herself. Her friend Phea had been through a lot in her life and hid herself from herself, but she finally realized what would make her happy and decided to join Mr. Tinkle toes, a cute rabbit, in becoming one herself and being happy.
In her friendship with Emily she learned too that she can be excepted and have friends, the same lesson Emily had to learn. After facing their own torment together, they came out of it happy and healthy and ready to face whatever and whoever came their way.
I loved it and thought it would be a great book to read to my grandkids! Great story, Angela!
In her friendship with Emily she learned too that she can be excepted and have friends, the same lesson Emily had to learn. After facing their own torment together, they came out of it happy and healthy and ready to face whatever and whoever came their way.
I loved it and thought it would be a great book to read to my grandkids! Great story, Angela!
March 25, 2014
I really enjoyed this. In many ways it reminds me of Bridge to Terabithia, in that it's the story of somewhat of a social outcast who finds hope and salvation in a fantasy world. Very nicely written, the story moves along at a brisk pace. I read this to my 11-year-old daughter after reading Neil Gaiman's Stardust to her. She preferred Stick n' Stones.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
October 28, 2014
Sticks n' Stones and the Garden of Phea falls under the genre of magical realism; where Emily, a 10 year-old girl, lives a difficult life with an absent father, a mother who ignores her, and relentless bullying by her peers. One day, Emily decides to escape by hiding in old wooden chest in the library which magically transports her to a beautiful garden where she meets the mysterious Phea and her companion, a white rabbit (uh-huh) named Mr. Tinkle Toes.
With Phea's friendship, Emily begins a journey toward healing as she uncovers the history of the chest. But, Emily is not the only one who undergoes drastic changes. Phea herself and even Mr. Tinkle Toes also harbor secrets from their past. Each of these characters struggle with their identity and each is given the chance to be reborn as they come to accept and love themselves for who they are.
There was something about Sticks n' Stones and the Garden of Phea which moved me deeply and had me drawing comparisons to Alice in Wonderland. The author does a great job of introducing Emily and having the reader sympathize with her as we see get a glimpse into what it is like to be bullied and to have a poor system of support even from the adults in her life. Here is a passage that I thought just nailed it:
Phea is an equally interesting character who also undergoes a significant transformation. I don't want to give too much of the story away but her back story is quite moving as well. The lessons learned from both of these characters is that we can have surrounding circumstances out of our control and there will always be people whose words can be cutting; but, it is within our own power to stand up for ourselves and live a life true to our own self. Individuals do have great strength and can control certain aspects of their lives such as eating well and exercise in order to lead a healthy life. I love the weaving in of the garden and flowers as symbols of how the main character "blossoms" by the end of the book.
I felt that Emily's character was very well-developed and it felt like I was along for her journey: feeling what she was feeling when she was treated badly by her peers and unjustly by the adults in her life, and her triumph when she makes changes in her life and learns to love herself. In contrast, I felt that Phea's character was under-developed. I would have liked to see her story moving alongside of Emily's because her journey was just as interesting. Regardless, the author excelled at having me emotionally invested in the story.
My Bottom Line:
Sticks n' Stones and the Garden of Phea is a heartfelt tale featuring a trio of sympathetic characters who are brought together through the magic of an old wooden chest. Each character undergoes a transformative journey involving letting go of the past and learning to love themselves. I recommend this book to middle grade girls in particular who may be able to relate to Emily as they navigate the tricky waters of middle school themselves. Ages 9+
* This book was provided to me free-of-charge from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
With Phea's friendship, Emily begins a journey toward healing as she uncovers the history of the chest. But, Emily is not the only one who undergoes drastic changes. Phea herself and even Mr. Tinkle Toes also harbor secrets from their past. Each of these characters struggle with their identity and each is given the chance to be reborn as they come to accept and love themselves for who they are.
There was something about Sticks n' Stones and the Garden of Phea which moved me deeply and had me drawing comparisons to Alice in Wonderland. The author does a great job of introducing Emily and having the reader sympathize with her as we see get a glimpse into what it is like to be bullied and to have a poor system of support even from the adults in her life. Here is a passage that I thought just nailed it:
Other children.
The thought came to her like a knife to the heart. Rather than leaning on the tree out of exhaustion, the tree now held Emily upright from the sagging and disabling weight of sadness.
Other children. Why do they tease me so? She wondered desperately.
Her head hung as low as a head could hang as she thought about what she could possibly done, or what she might be able to do to make them stop. Then, Emily began to cry. She cried about the bus that morning, she cried about the teasing that afternoon, and the she cried... just because.
Phea is an equally interesting character who also undergoes a significant transformation. I don't want to give too much of the story away but her back story is quite moving as well. The lessons learned from both of these characters is that we can have surrounding circumstances out of our control and there will always be people whose words can be cutting; but, it is within our own power to stand up for ourselves and live a life true to our own self. Individuals do have great strength and can control certain aspects of their lives such as eating well and exercise in order to lead a healthy life. I love the weaving in of the garden and flowers as symbols of how the main character "blossoms" by the end of the book.
I felt that Emily's character was very well-developed and it felt like I was along for her journey: feeling what she was feeling when she was treated badly by her peers and unjustly by the adults in her life, and her triumph when she makes changes in her life and learns to love herself. In contrast, I felt that Phea's character was under-developed. I would have liked to see her story moving alongside of Emily's because her journey was just as interesting. Regardless, the author excelled at having me emotionally invested in the story.
My Bottom Line:
Sticks n' Stones and the Garden of Phea is a heartfelt tale featuring a trio of sympathetic characters who are brought together through the magic of an old wooden chest. Each character undergoes a transformative journey involving letting go of the past and learning to love themselves. I recommend this book to middle grade girls in particular who may be able to relate to Emily as they navigate the tricky waters of middle school themselves. Ages 9+
* This book was provided to me free-of-charge from the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 2, 2014
"Stick N'Stones and the Garden of Phea" by Angela Burkhead which I won from Goodreads Giveaways is a short but heartwarming story that begins when overweight and bullied Emily Fickeltin runs away from home only to tumble down a hill and into a magical garden where she meets Phyllda (Phea) Eaton. This is a story of discovery as both Emily and Phea, two hapless girls find friendship, love and acceptance.
The plot is filled with wonder and mystery; a puzzling trunk, a magical bunny and beautifully exotic flowers. A bridge of understanding is built between two lost and discouraged souls who find they're not alone in their anguish and despair. But through their friendship the two gain courage and hope as they confront their demons. Emily and Phyllda's stories are woven into an ending that's not only surprising, but enchanting.
Because this story is short the characters like the plot tend to be under-developed and the reader only gets glimpses of their personalities. Both are lonely and misunderstood, the criticism and bullying of other children weighing them down. With a father who's absent and a mother who ignores her Emily Fickeltin is timid, quiet, and lacks self-confidence. Phyllda Eaton has parents with high expectations who want a new life in America,can't afford another fare and place her in a trunk in the cargo hold of their ship. As an immigrant,with a new name she feels isolated, despised by other children. She's intimidated, insecure and angry. Both characters seek deliverance from their heartache, and freedom from the pain of criticism, to be reborn as young and carefree young girls.
I enjoyed "Stick N' Stones and the Garden of Phea" although the cover of the book doesn't depict how heartwarming and uniquely magical this story is.
The plot is filled with wonder and mystery; a puzzling trunk, a magical bunny and beautifully exotic flowers. A bridge of understanding is built between two lost and discouraged souls who find they're not alone in their anguish and despair. But through their friendship the two gain courage and hope as they confront their demons. Emily and Phyllda's stories are woven into an ending that's not only surprising, but enchanting.
Because this story is short the characters like the plot tend to be under-developed and the reader only gets glimpses of their personalities. Both are lonely and misunderstood, the criticism and bullying of other children weighing them down. With a father who's absent and a mother who ignores her Emily Fickeltin is timid, quiet, and lacks self-confidence. Phyllda Eaton has parents with high expectations who want a new life in America,can't afford another fare and place her in a trunk in the cargo hold of their ship. As an immigrant,with a new name she feels isolated, despised by other children. She's intimidated, insecure and angry. Both characters seek deliverance from their heartache, and freedom from the pain of criticism, to be reborn as young and carefree young girls.
I enjoyed "Stick N' Stones and the Garden of Phea" although the cover of the book doesn't depict how heartwarming and uniquely magical this story is.
January 7, 2016
Read at the request of the author.
I had originally rated this four stars, but after some consideration and reflection, I've decided it's more of a 3.5 rating for me. This is by no means a bad rating. I found Sticks n' Stones and the Garden of Phea a quick and easy read.
Because of the size of the book, it doesn't give time to get to know the characters, or connect with them that much. Whilst I did like Emily and enjoyed her development through the story, I found myself sort of detached. One character I really did enjoy was Phyllda Eaton and of course, , and I loved reading about her childhood and her connection with the trunk.
The plot revolved around acceptance, Emily accepting herself, knowing Phea, Phea accepting herself, and thus an important lesson in self-esteem. Whilst this is probably more suitable for younger teens and children, I think you'll find older teens and adults may also find it an enjoyable read.
You can buy on: Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Also posted on Tumblr and Wordpress.
I had originally rated this four stars, but after some consideration and reflection, I've decided it's more of a 3.5 rating for me. This is by no means a bad rating. I found Sticks n' Stones and the Garden of Phea a quick and easy read.
Because of the size of the book, it doesn't give time to get to know the characters, or connect with them that much. Whilst I did like Emily and enjoyed her development through the story, I found myself sort of detached. One character I really did enjoy was Phyllda Eaton and of course, , and I loved reading about her childhood and her connection with the trunk.
The plot revolved around acceptance, Emily accepting herself, knowing Phea, Phea accepting herself, and thus an important lesson in self-esteem. Whilst this is probably more suitable for younger teens and children, I think you'll find older teens and adults may also find it an enjoyable read.
You can buy on: Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Also posted on Tumblr and Wordpress.
May 15, 2014
Ms. Burkhead wrote a very imaginative story. Emily is an amazing character. She is bullied for being over-weight and her parents and teachers don’t realize or pretty much ignore how miserable she is. I like that Emily doesn’t try to become someone different – she really likes herself. Her character does make healthier eating choices and gets more exercise after meeting Phea and exploring her garden, but that is only a minor point to the whole story. Emily’s story is told in parallel with the story of another little girl who lived in the past and was bullied (Phyllda) and the two stories connect together in the book. One part of the story was a bit confusing for me – the origins of Phea – how she got to the garden and how Mr. Twinkletoes (her bunny) met her, but it wasn’t necessary for the story to be complete. I do wish it was explained more. The book was a quick read for me but it was a very enjoyable story.
*NOTE I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
*NOTE I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
August 3, 2016
A great book dealing with REAL issues in school today.
July 19, 2016
This fantasy book about an overweight girl who is bullied by her schoolmates is part Alice in Wonderland, part sociological study of a girl who finds love despite real-world challenges. In my mind it is most suitable for the young reader who can relate to the secret garden themes and feeling like a misfit. I read with interest as the main character, Emily, pulled in and out of the garden, the trunk and her real life. The writing was easy to follow and the dialogue was simple. My only criticism is that the action was occasionally too slow for my tastes, but it likely wouldn’t be for the young fantasy reader. The author’s ability to create a believable story in the midst of all the magical creatures and plants speaks to her skills as an author. The transformation of the two main characters, Emily and Phea, by the end of the story is a “feel-good” message about the power of relationships to heal. I especially liked the use of the rabbit character as rabbits are symbolic of new life and new beginnings.
I would recommend this book to middle-school readers who spend their time huddled over computers, looking for escape on the internet. They are guaranteed to find a safe world of hope in this imaginative story. Who knows, it may even prompt them to step out of their comfort zones and take a chance in finding at least one good friend.
*NOTE I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I would recommend this book to middle-school readers who spend their time huddled over computers, looking for escape on the internet. They are guaranteed to find a safe world of hope in this imaginative story. Who knows, it may even prompt them to step out of their comfort zones and take a chance in finding at least one good friend.
*NOTE I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2014
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. If I were to try and put this book on a shelf by category I would have trouble deciding which shelf to choose. It is written with an eye toward children's literature but I felt some of the story line to be above the heads of kids. Emily, one of the main characters, is sympathetic and you feel for her troubles at the hands/tongues of her vicious classmates. However Phea, another main character, seems to be more a partially explained cautionary tale. The story moves along at a rapid pace and dances among the present real world, the past real world and a few magical worlds. Because of these jumps, and for a few other reasons, there are times you feel the character is in the middle of a psychotic break. The story does find its way, somewhat awkwardly, to a happy ending. Emily is a sweet girl and you will be proud of her will and decisions. This is definitely a mental adventure to be enjoyed. It is unique and has some positive themes for kids about health and self-esteem.
July 6, 2014
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a fast paced, heartwarming story about an overweight girl named Emily. She’s bullied and longs to have friends. So poof, she magically discovers one.
I liked the mystery of the old magical, wooden chest. There wasn’t a lot of time spent detailing how Emily gets to and from the enchanted garden where she meets her new friend Phea but it had something to do with the chest. I don’t want to give any spoiler alerts about that backstory though.
There could have been more character development but the author got across that Emily was lonely and wanted other kids to accept her. There’s magic, enchantment and a cute white bunny named Mr. Twinkletoes. Who could ask for more in a kids book? Kids who don’t have a great attention span should like this book since it’s an easy, fast read.
I liked the mystery of the old magical, wooden chest. There wasn’t a lot of time spent detailing how Emily gets to and from the enchanted garden where she meets her new friend Phea but it had something to do with the chest. I don’t want to give any spoiler alerts about that backstory though.
There could have been more character development but the author got across that Emily was lonely and wanted other kids to accept her. There’s magic, enchantment and a cute white bunny named Mr. Twinkletoes. Who could ask for more in a kids book? Kids who don’t have a great attention span should like this book since it’s an easy, fast read.
July 12, 2017
This is a beautiful, bittersweet tale, set amidst an enchanting garden and lovely scenery, where flowers come to life. It seemingly written for children, but one which has lessons about life for adults as well. Like the flower that's picked and immediately shrivels because it was picked for no particular purpose, the main characters see their lives shriveling as if they have no meaning. Each one has run away from their life in search of something they don't even realize. Their lives are entwined and each helps the other to know who they are and where they belong and how life can be fulfilling when you learn to love yourself. Truly a beautiful heroic tale of love and courage in overcoming adversity.
November 6, 2014
This is an absolute delight to read. From the sudden appearance of a stunningly beautiful garden and the the first friends ever gained through to the knowledge and ability to not only create her own garden but to overcome the effects of serious bullying as well, this book has it all. The characters are all 'viewable' to the reader so it's almost as if it is the self we can see in the story. I have no hesitation in recommending this story to all our young readers whether they read for themselves or enjoy being read to.
October 3, 2014
I enjoyed this story about a 10 year old girl who thinks she is fat and friendless.
One day she gets upset and starts running and ends up in a magical garden, and meets Phea.
Emily's adventure makes her realise she can be anyone she wants to be, especially has Phea
went through something similar.
You have to read this fantasy book to see what happens in the end :)
One day she gets upset and starts running and ends up in a magical garden, and meets Phea.
Emily's adventure makes her realise she can be anyone she wants to be, especially has Phea
went through something similar.
You have to read this fantasy book to see what happens in the end :)
September 15, 2014
A very interesting tale that will help middle graders to accept themselves
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews