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The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor
A charming middle-grade novel about old magic, new adventures, a winged lion learning to roar, and a young girl fighting to be heard—perfect for fans of classics like The NeverEnding Story.
Poppy Woodlock believes in magic, but so far, she hasn’t found any. It’s been two weeks since her parents moved their family to Oregon to undertake their biggest project revitalizing the once-grand Lark-Hayes Manor. Her older brother instantly found his place, but after being thrown into middle school midyear, Poppy is feeling…invisible. So she retreats to where she’s always felt most at books and magic. And if the fantastic and supernatural exist, certainly they can be found in this mysterious old estate.
A late-night prowl leads Poppy to a desperate water nymph, with whom she strikes a dangerous bargain. In exchange for the thing she loves most—her favorite book— Poppy now has the secret of a her very own flying lion. Sampson is exactly what she needs to prove magic does exist and, more importantly, that she is not to be so easily dismissed.
But the cost of ancient magic is astronomic. With every night Sampson grows, another book disappears, and Poppy soon faces the harrowing reality that without their favorite stories, the lives of everyone around her begin to unravel.
Fixing the chaos will require Poppy to be clever and bold, and even at her smartest and loudest, she’s not sure it will be enough. But she has to try.
Poppy Woodlock believes in magic, but so far, she hasn’t found any. It’s been two weeks since her parents moved their family to Oregon to undertake their biggest project revitalizing the once-grand Lark-Hayes Manor. Her older brother instantly found his place, but after being thrown into middle school midyear, Poppy is feeling…invisible. So she retreats to where she’s always felt most at books and magic. And if the fantastic and supernatural exist, certainly they can be found in this mysterious old estate.
A late-night prowl leads Poppy to a desperate water nymph, with whom she strikes a dangerous bargain. In exchange for the thing she loves most—her favorite book— Poppy now has the secret of a her very own flying lion. Sampson is exactly what she needs to prove magic does exist and, more importantly, that she is not to be so easily dismissed.
But the cost of ancient magic is astronomic. With every night Sampson grows, another book disappears, and Poppy soon faces the harrowing reality that without their favorite stories, the lives of everyone around her begin to unravel.
Fixing the chaos will require Poppy to be clever and bold, and even at her smartest and loudest, she’s not sure it will be enough. But she has to try.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2023
34 people are currently reading
2872 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
February 24, 2023
What a highly imaginative & incredible story. Absolutely fell in love with this. This old manor is so amazing in itself, & the old magic, & the nymph. Poppy is a great kid, with a big imagination & a need for magic..to be seen & heard. So her magical Sampson who is trying to find his own voice & fly.. is just like her in many aspects. It's such a beautiful relationship they share. This has so many incredible underlying messages. One thing I loved was how the author shows through the story the importance of books. Many people have a book that changed them, or impacted their life in some way. What if that book never existed? What would that change about the outcome of their life? Such a thought provoking read, that shows the power of books, & how amazing they really are. Gripping, whimsical, engaging writing that sucks you in. Poppy is such an endearing, lovable, & very relatable MC. She's living the kid dream in some ways:the kid who feels invisible, but comes alive in the books they read, always going on amazing adventures through books..then actually living her own magical adventure in real life. LOVED this! I can't wait for the next book, especially after that ending! Ahhh! Lol HIGHLY recommend! This comes out May 2! STUNNING cover by Christopher Cyr too. 💜
May 18, 2023
I read this book much quicker than I do most. It was hard to put down, often went in different directions than I expected, and kept me wondering how it would end. It is chock full of metaphors and similes that made me pause to digest. I felt the author's sincerity in the message behind the story through its beautiful language and revelations. Many people will connect with Poppy's feelings as the new girl in middle school, trying to find their place. Although it's a book about magic, it feels very real.
Definitely worth the read.
Definitely worth the read.
February 17, 2023
This story is a delightful fantasy about a book lover who makes a proverbial "deal with the devil" and learns the eternal lesson that such deals are always a trick. I love the author's voice and felt Poppy's struggles to try to correct her horrible mistake. Of course, any book lover will enjoy the inevitable changes in the world that come from her rotten agreement.
After reading it, I appreciate the cover even more. Well done!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
After reading it, I appreciate the cover even more. Well done!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
December 5, 2023
After striking a deal with a water nymph for a winged lion in exchange for her favorite books, Poppy discovers just how much a story can change a person. Along the way she learns to make friends, teach a lion to roar, and speak up for herself.
I loved seeing how the absence of stories affected the people around her in small and striking ways. Some stories just resonate like they’re in tune with in your soul. Ultimately, I enjoyed Poppy’s adventure and I hope a tiny reader finds it and takes its message to heart because, after all, “If you can’t find your place, make it”. 🦁🪽 📖 ✨
P.S. The audio narration was amazing! The water nymph’s voice was so ethereally creepy. Bonus points for reading the “this is a work of fiction…” stock text in its sinister voice at the very end of the book! Also, the author’s note made me cry. 😭
I loved seeing how the absence of stories affected the people around her in small and striking ways. Some stories just resonate like they’re in tune with in your soul. Ultimately, I enjoyed Poppy’s adventure and I hope a tiny reader finds it and takes its message to heart because, after all, “If you can’t find your place, make it”. 🦁🪽 📖 ✨
P.S. The audio narration was amazing! The water nymph’s voice was so ethereally creepy. Bonus points for reading the “this is a work of fiction…” stock text in its sinister voice at the very end of the book! Also, the author’s note made me cry. 😭
June 1, 2023
Thrilled by this gem of a book. The best of YA literature. Writing as good as the cover art. A character as dear as Francie Nolan. A lion as brave as Aslan. The best author’s note I’ve ever read.
An absolute winner, and a true delight.
An absolute winner, and a true delight.
June 9, 2023
I loved this book, I'd say around a 4.5-5. It has a great lesson for adults and kids, and it really shows that book are a huge part of our lives. The whole book I was wondering how the conflict will end up being resolved. Many authors mess up the ending or leave it on cliff-hangers. This book impressively was able to resolve the issues, and tie it all up. I loved Poppy and Sampson so much, and really enjoyed reading this.
July 13, 2023
Poppy's family has moved around restoring old buildings for as long as Poppy has been alive, but this is the first move where she hasn't immediately been able to make friends. She turns to her favorite books, as usual, but when she saves a nymph on the construction site, she realizes that magic isn't only contained in books. But she doesn't realize that her new magic has a cost, and soon she learns the true value of what she's traded away. Is it too late to stop it?
This book cleverly ponders the ways that something small—a line in a story or a word of encouragement—can have unforeseen consequences. The magical elements are well crafted, and Poppy's character arc feels deeply authentic. I also kind of want a winged lion after reading this, but I don't want to give up my favorite stories in exchange. Hmm. Tough choice!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book cleverly ponders the ways that something small—a line in a story or a word of encouragement—can have unforeseen consequences. The magical elements are well crafted, and Poppy's character arc feels deeply authentic. I also kind of want a winged lion after reading this, but I don't want to give up my favorite stories in exchange. Hmm. Tough choice!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 24, 2024
This is a fun book about the power of books and reading. It took me a while to get hooked. The first third of the book seemed a bit derivative with its strong direct and indirect references to The Chronicles of Narnia (well, and Faust). About half way through, the book found its own voice and plot, which helped carry it through.
Hartman employs many classic conflicts of middle grade (fitting in, trying to gain some independence from authority figures despite the limits placed on tweens, dealing with bullies, etc.) However, she uses fantasy to make these ordinary problems extraordinary. Magic doesn't always provide a quick fix; sometimes it creates additional layers of conflict. There is no such thing as an easy fix. That's a great lesson for people who don't have the aid of magic.
Hartman employs many classic conflicts of middle grade (fitting in, trying to gain some independence from authority figures despite the limits placed on tweens, dealing with bullies, etc.) However, she uses fantasy to make these ordinary problems extraordinary. Magic doesn't always provide a quick fix; sometimes it creates additional layers of conflict. There is no such thing as an easy fix. That's a great lesson for people who don't have the aid of magic.
May 7, 2023
Our family has loved reading this book together. My 10 and 8 year olds have expressed similar emotions to the main character which have opened up wonderful conversations for us to share. And my husband and I have stopped reading at parts to discuss plot points they bring up childhood memories. These feelings are so universal and prevalent and the author does such a fantastic job of making her character someone you can relate with and adore. This is a middle grade book but I think anyone at any age can read this and enjoy this magical story.
July 4, 2023
I don’t have words to describe how much I loved this story. It was heartwarming and beautifully crafted. If you love Narnia and the Neverending Story, this book is a must read. I didn’t want this story to come to an end. If you like stories with themes about the importance of books and the power of storytelling, read it. I highly recommend not reading the synopsis, it gives away too much information. Go in blind and enjoy this beautiful story. I can’t wait to add this book to my school library. It’s going to be a huge hit.
September 30, 2023
Poppy Woodlock has recently moved to the Pacific NW with her family.
Lover of books, in particular "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", she believes in "magic" and hopes to find it here in this "spooky" manor her parents are supposed to restore to its glorious past.
Poppy makes a deal with the resident water nymph, to get her very own "winged" lion, sort of like Aslan, but Poppy learns a very hard disturbing lesson about the wish she has been granted....
Often times when one is granted a wish, one loses something, something Poppy had never considered.
Lover of books, in particular "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", she believes in "magic" and hopes to find it here in this "spooky" manor her parents are supposed to restore to its glorious past.
Poppy makes a deal with the resident water nymph, to get her very own "winged" lion, sort of like Aslan, but Poppy learns a very hard disturbing lesson about the wish she has been granted....
Often times when one is granted a wish, one loses something, something Poppy had never considered.
February 14, 2025
I really enjoyed this middle grade book about a girl who finds a few magical creatures near her home. With some inspiration from Narnia (a winged lion who is kind), and a dangerous water nymph (who is stealing books and book memories), it kept me engaged to know what would happen next. It’s a great book for bookish people, also!
“She knows
she makes the world beautiful
when she blooms in her own time.”
Loved in her author’s note, she says “Some voices take longer to find than others.
Until then, it’s up to us to change the way we listen.”
P312
“She knows
she makes the world beautiful
when she blooms in her own time.”
Loved in her author’s note, she says “Some voices take longer to find than others.
Until then, it’s up to us to change the way we listen.”
P312
June 6, 2023
This was such an amazing story! The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor is such an imaginative and magical middle grade read. There were so many great components packed into this fun story that made it really stand out from other books I’ve read in this genre. The characters were very believable and they family dynamics were relatable. If you love fantasy, wish fulfillment, and books with a strong takeaway message this is one definitely worth reading.
September 17, 2023
When Poppy’s historic preservationist parents move the family to the Oregon coast to work on a stately home, Poppy’s sure she’ll find magic. Just like in her favorite book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. And she's right . . . but : “Magic isn’t free. It cosssts.”
September 27, 2023
Delightful young adult fiction. SO FREAKING PROUD of the author.
March 4, 2024
This was book was an absolute delight- a fantasy for the deepest book lover. One that will stay with me for a long time.
January 10, 2024
4.5 Loved this middle-grade fantasy that focuses on the power of literature in our lives. The audiobook narrator was excellent!
June 22, 2023
I adored and devoured this book. The power of books, story, memory and family.
April 7, 2023
Wow - what an amazing story! “Books are like blueprints. If you build your house without blueprints, you might end up with four walls and a roof. But with books…you can have a castle.”
This book is full of magic. Poppy is a girl who lives through the story she reads until some real magic starts to change things. Follow Poppy as she learns that sometimes we have to let go what we think we want the most in order to have what really matters. I laughed, I cried and I cheered Poppy on.
Can’t wait to read this book with my class!
This book is full of magic. Poppy is a girl who lives through the story she reads until some real magic starts to change things. Follow Poppy as she learns that sometimes we have to let go what we think we want the most in order to have what really matters. I laughed, I cried and I cheered Poppy on.
Can’t wait to read this book with my class!
March 3, 2023
You know those books that change you. The books that you read and reread over and over again, because they speak to you? What if that book disappeared, forever, and never was?
That is the premise of this book, The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor. What if a book has changed you, gave you thoughts you had never had before, influenced you to be who you are, what if they were not only taken away, but vanished from exisitance. What if the one book that made you change, or grow, or think, vanished from the planet, and no one remembered them, or how it changed you.
Poppy’s family has come to the Lark-Hayes Manor to restore it to its former glory. It has fallen into disrepair. And though Poppy is not supposed to explore the building, she does, and saves a water nymph, who grants her one wish. Her wish is to have a magical, flying lion. And the price? Only a book, or so Poppy thinks. One book. But no, it is all books. All her favorite books. All her family’s favorite books. Gone from her family, and gone from the world.
And all she has to do to get them back, is give back the flying lion.
And thus the quandary.
The voices of this book are so real. The parents not perfect. The bullies just as bad as bullies are. The story surprises me at each turn. I could nto guess where it was going, or what would happen, or what books would be taken away, and what each one meant to the person that made them special. The journal that Poppy’s mother had from her mother, who dies when she was young, taught her all the old family recipes. When that is swallowed up, the food that made anywhere they went home, was gone, along with her mother’s imagination.
This is a ten star book. All the feelings, all the angst. All the love. I can’t recommend this any more highly than to say you need this book. If you love magical middle-grade stories, if you love flawed, as we all are, heroines. If you love books, you will love this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
That is the premise of this book, The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor. What if a book has changed you, gave you thoughts you had never had before, influenced you to be who you are, what if they were not only taken away, but vanished from exisitance. What if the one book that made you change, or grow, or think, vanished from the planet, and no one remembered them, or how it changed you.
Poppy’s family has come to the Lark-Hayes Manor to restore it to its former glory. It has fallen into disrepair. And though Poppy is not supposed to explore the building, she does, and saves a water nymph, who grants her one wish. Her wish is to have a magical, flying lion. And the price? Only a book, or so Poppy thinks. One book. But no, it is all books. All her favorite books. All her family’s favorite books. Gone from her family, and gone from the world.
And all she has to do to get them back, is give back the flying lion.
And thus the quandary.
The voices of this book are so real. The parents not perfect. The bullies just as bad as bullies are. The story surprises me at each turn. I could nto guess where it was going, or what would happen, or what books would be taken away, and what each one meant to the person that made them special. The journal that Poppy’s mother had from her mother, who dies when she was young, taught her all the old family recipes. When that is swallowed up, the food that made anywhere they went home, was gone, along with her mother’s imagination.
This is a ten star book. All the feelings, all the angst. All the love. I can’t recommend this any more highly than to say you need this book. If you love magical middle-grade stories, if you love flawed, as we all are, heroines. If you love books, you will love this book.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
May 28, 2023
This book has a fascinating premise: what would our lives be like without the books that have shaped us? When Poppy makes a deal with the water nymph she discovers in the old pool of the manor her parents are renovating, she strikes a deal to gain a flying lion, who turns out to be a wonderful companion, but at what cost? The water nymph takes another book away each day that Poppy has the lion, and her world and the people in it begin to change. This is such an interesting story, and I turned the pages quickly because I needed to know that everything would be okay. Poppy is a relatable character who was easy to root for, and Sampson, the winged lion, instantly captured my heart.
September 6, 2024
A beautiful book, well-written and very enjoyable. Hartman is a debut author, but I’m definitely interested in reading her next books. This is the kind of book I would have loved to read as a middle-grader, and I can’t wait to share it with my kids when they’re old enough to enjoy it. As I read, I thought I was behind in my middle-grade reading of books because there were several mentioned that I didn’t recognize at all. But it turns out, Hartman created those books as well. And now I want to read those too! Especially “The Tree in Valley Blue;” I could totally see it being a picture poem book that I want on my shelf right now.
February 26, 2023
I hardly ever give 5 stars. As an ELA secondary school educator, I am quite particular about the middle-grade novels I read. Only the best.
However, some books merit five stars, and this magical piece of heaven is one of them. I read it in a night. You think you know where the story is headed... and then you don't. And it changes you. You will laugh, gasp, and cry as it take you for an emotional ride. Here I am a middle-aged woman eating up this middle-grade book. Hence, this is absolutely everything you would want your child to read. The themes, motifs, and characters are chock-full of all the messaging I want my pre-teen daugther to live by. Most importantly the message: DO NOT LET THE WORLD SILENCE YOU. FIND YOUR VOICE.
Not only is the plot endearing and captivating while you root for the sweet protagonist, Poppy, but the writing is absolutely gorgeous. Rich descriptions, metaphorical passages, moving one-liners.... I couldn't stop marking the literary beauty that just made me gasp. Magic.
Blockbuster heads up: It has the potential for a visually stunning "Never-ending Story" type movie adults and kids will adore.
I'm going to give you the most reliable review now. It's from my 10 year old daughter, Cami. She got to the last chapter and sat on the couch with tears streaming down her face afterwards... it moved her so much. Now every book she reads she says it's not as good at the Lion of Lark-Hayes. Don't take my word for it, give it to your kid and see that it doesn't become their favorite book ever.
Cami Parkinson's Review (10 years old):
Penelope Quill Woodlock is a sixth grader who moves to Oregon with her family because her parents have to do renovations on the Lark Hayes Manor.
Poppy has always believed in magic and thought the manor was super magical. So she sneaks out one night to go to the manor to find magic. She goes to this pond in the manor and finds a water nymph. She makes a deal with the nymph that Poppy can have a winged lion if the nymph can have something special in return.
From there on things are just getting worse and worse for Poppy. What the nymph took is causing everyone Poppy loves to forget who they are and what they love. This is causing her world to turn upside down.
But, at the same time her winged lion, Sampson, is getting more and more confident and bigger and bigger. She is loving him more and more.
However, in the end she finds out she needs to sacrifice what she loves most to get back what the world has lost.
I loved that Poppy went on an adventure with Sampson and she found her voice. I don’t want to spoil it so I’ll leave it at that.
This book always had fun and exciting cliff hangers to keep you reading late at night. (Which is a good excuse parents).
Sampson was my favourite character because he reminded me of my dog Koda. He’s big and has a way of talking to Poppy.
I liked the idea of books being magic in the story because this book, Lion of Lark Hayes Manor, is magic to me.
It is magic because you are never bored in this story. I really like how Poppy always had a journal of quotes and they helped her get better when she needed it.
I really like how descriptive it was and I was never lost in the story, I was never like “ wait, what’s going on?”
A lot of the messages I got from the book include keep going, keep trying, you’ll get there. Never give up.
This book is for kids and young adults that need help finding out who they are.
It really helped me feel like I can do anything. It really inspired me to read a book a month.
This author, Aubrey Hartman, should teach some other authors how to be better because the other books I’m reading are not nearly as good.
This book was magical in a big way because it inspired me to be more like
Poppy, to take risks, chances, and go into the world of books often.
PS. I cried A LOT in this book, so be prepared.
However, some books merit five stars, and this magical piece of heaven is one of them. I read it in a night. You think you know where the story is headed... and then you don't. And it changes you. You will laugh, gasp, and cry as it take you for an emotional ride. Here I am a middle-aged woman eating up this middle-grade book. Hence, this is absolutely everything you would want your child to read. The themes, motifs, and characters are chock-full of all the messaging I want my pre-teen daugther to live by. Most importantly the message: DO NOT LET THE WORLD SILENCE YOU. FIND YOUR VOICE.
Not only is the plot endearing and captivating while you root for the sweet protagonist, Poppy, but the writing is absolutely gorgeous. Rich descriptions, metaphorical passages, moving one-liners.... I couldn't stop marking the literary beauty that just made me gasp. Magic.
Blockbuster heads up: It has the potential for a visually stunning "Never-ending Story" type movie adults and kids will adore.
I'm going to give you the most reliable review now. It's from my 10 year old daughter, Cami. She got to the last chapter and sat on the couch with tears streaming down her face afterwards... it moved her so much. Now every book she reads she says it's not as good at the Lion of Lark-Hayes. Don't take my word for it, give it to your kid and see that it doesn't become their favorite book ever.
Cami Parkinson's Review (10 years old):
Penelope Quill Woodlock is a sixth grader who moves to Oregon with her family because her parents have to do renovations on the Lark Hayes Manor.
Poppy has always believed in magic and thought the manor was super magical. So she sneaks out one night to go to the manor to find magic. She goes to this pond in the manor and finds a water nymph. She makes a deal with the nymph that Poppy can have a winged lion if the nymph can have something special in return.
From there on things are just getting worse and worse for Poppy. What the nymph took is causing everyone Poppy loves to forget who they are and what they love. This is causing her world to turn upside down.
But, at the same time her winged lion, Sampson, is getting more and more confident and bigger and bigger. She is loving him more and more.
However, in the end she finds out she needs to sacrifice what she loves most to get back what the world has lost.
I loved that Poppy went on an adventure with Sampson and she found her voice. I don’t want to spoil it so I’ll leave it at that.
This book always had fun and exciting cliff hangers to keep you reading late at night. (Which is a good excuse parents).
Sampson was my favourite character because he reminded me of my dog Koda. He’s big and has a way of talking to Poppy.
I liked the idea of books being magic in the story because this book, Lion of Lark Hayes Manor, is magic to me.
It is magic because you are never bored in this story. I really like how Poppy always had a journal of quotes and they helped her get better when she needed it.
I really like how descriptive it was and I was never lost in the story, I was never like “ wait, what’s going on?”
A lot of the messages I got from the book include keep going, keep trying, you’ll get there. Never give up.
This book is for kids and young adults that need help finding out who they are.
It really helped me feel like I can do anything. It really inspired me to read a book a month.
This author, Aubrey Hartman, should teach some other authors how to be better because the other books I’m reading are not nearly as good.
This book was magical in a big way because it inspired me to be more like
Poppy, to take risks, chances, and go into the world of books often.
PS. I cried A LOT in this book, so be prepared.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2023
Moving hasn't been this challenging before for Poppy. This time all the plans that used to work, don't anymore, and Poppy can't find her people in this new school where there is a bully or two and kids have no interest in magic or reading. On top of that, Poppy feels that her parents don't know her or understand her at all.
Poppy's passion for books and magic ends up making her fall into a trap and be tricked by a nymph (from the old ancient magic world). This creature is quite upset with humans' disrespect for nature and uses Poppy for her revenge tricking Poppy into a bargain. Poppy gets a winged lion, but magic has a cost, affecting the lives of those around her in a negative way.
I love the references to famous books. I noticed this book is great for fans of Neverending Story and that was one of the books that changed my life, I still have it. I truly believed it was magic. I'm so glad that I came across Poppy's story. In a way, with each chapter, I felt I was her closest friend as Bastian once was to Atreyu. Poppy's story is definitely a keeper too.
I love that the author makes us think of what would happen if a certain book had never been written at all. So much good and knowledge comes from experiencing one story at one point in our lives, including lessons and knowledge that shape us or our paths, and our dreams. How the disappearance of a book from ancient Greek, for example, could be catastrophic in today's society, which scares me a lot when it comes to cancel culture. For example, the teacher mentions that by reading The Odyssey he understood heroes make mistakes too, and made him a better person.
Poppy makes also mistakes, but her journey to correct them and be a better version of herself is what makes it all worthwhile. By having knowledge from books, and understanding good or bad, she is equipped with the right tools to make the right choices. The author's wonderful writing takes us along on this journey of finding one's voice.
For those who love fantasy but keep it at some distance I thought this was one of the most creative ways to write "an imaginary" friend and a coming-of-age story. For those who keep fantasy close, we understand that there is a friend in each book to keep our loneliness away.
Explores themes such as loneliness, isolation, doubt in own's voice, standing up for the things and people you love, defending those in need (even when they don't deserve it), love for books, love for family, respecting individuality, awareness of others, respecting other's oddities, new school, new friendships, moving from isolation and silence to honesty and community, finding a voice, strength in family and community ties.
Poppy's passion for books and magic ends up making her fall into a trap and be tricked by a nymph (from the old ancient magic world). This creature is quite upset with humans' disrespect for nature and uses Poppy for her revenge tricking Poppy into a bargain. Poppy gets a winged lion, but magic has a cost, affecting the lives of those around her in a negative way.
I love the references to famous books. I noticed this book is great for fans of Neverending Story and that was one of the books that changed my life, I still have it. I truly believed it was magic. I'm so glad that I came across Poppy's story. In a way, with each chapter, I felt I was her closest friend as Bastian once was to Atreyu. Poppy's story is definitely a keeper too.
I love that the author makes us think of what would happen if a certain book had never been written at all. So much good and knowledge comes from experiencing one story at one point in our lives, including lessons and knowledge that shape us or our paths, and our dreams. How the disappearance of a book from ancient Greek, for example, could be catastrophic in today's society, which scares me a lot when it comes to cancel culture. For example, the teacher mentions that by reading The Odyssey he understood heroes make mistakes too, and made him a better person.
Poppy makes also mistakes, but her journey to correct them and be a better version of herself is what makes it all worthwhile. By having knowledge from books, and understanding good or bad, she is equipped with the right tools to make the right choices. The author's wonderful writing takes us along on this journey of finding one's voice.
For those who love fantasy but keep it at some distance I thought this was one of the most creative ways to write "an imaginary" friend and a coming-of-age story. For those who keep fantasy close, we understand that there is a friend in each book to keep our loneliness away.
Explores themes such as loneliness, isolation, doubt in own's voice, standing up for the things and people you love, defending those in need (even when they don't deserve it), love for books, love for family, respecting individuality, awareness of others, respecting other's oddities, new school, new friendships, moving from isolation and silence to honesty and community, finding a voice, strength in family and community ties.
June 4, 2023
The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor has all the necessary components of a young-adult novel. It has fantasy, wish-fulfillment, teenage adolescence, middle school drama, and family. Nothing unusual, but then I found a few things that gave it that extra oomph that set it apart in my mind:
1. First and foremost, the message - my biggest takeaway was the importance of books in our upbringing. The author makes the hypothesis that our favorite books are critical to our character, and the changes in characters throughout the novel highlight this point. Whether or not it's true that books can be *so* dramatic in forming us, it's definitely an interesting point to consider - how much of who I am is based on what I read?
2. The family scenes felt less forced and more real than in similar media - as a trivial example, the conflict between Luca and his parents regarding his screen time. As someone who has gone through these conflicts multiple times (and from both sides), I appreciated that the author stayed away from the trap of trying to throw out videogame buzzwords as an attempt to say "look! I know what I'm talking about!", and instead focused on the situation as the main character views it - that is, from afar. That helps lend legitimacy. Same with the conflict between the parents - there's no trite insights or forced exposition, just realistic interactions.
3. All of the mentions of "The Old World" vs. the mortal world are shrouded in mystery, but similar to #2, feel real and thought-out. The author shows us just enough to understand the context of the book, but keeps enough hidden that I wanted more. The Old World, its structure, its magic, and how the water nymph found itself banished remain a mystery, but an intriguing one.
Again, the book follows many of the same key tropes as other young adult novels, but does enough extra work to make it stand out among the crowd.
1. First and foremost, the message - my biggest takeaway was the importance of books in our upbringing. The author makes the hypothesis that our favorite books are critical to our character, and the changes in characters throughout the novel highlight this point. Whether or not it's true that books can be *so* dramatic in forming us, it's definitely an interesting point to consider - how much of who I am is based on what I read?
2. The family scenes felt less forced and more real than in similar media - as a trivial example, the conflict between Luca and his parents regarding his screen time. As someone who has gone through these conflicts multiple times (and from both sides), I appreciated that the author stayed away from the trap of trying to throw out videogame buzzwords as an attempt to say "look! I know what I'm talking about!", and instead focused on the situation as the main character views it - that is, from afar. That helps lend legitimacy. Same with the conflict between the parents - there's no trite insights or forced exposition, just realistic interactions.
3. All of the mentions of "The Old World" vs. the mortal world are shrouded in mystery, but similar to #2, feel real and thought-out. The author shows us just enough to understand the context of the book, but keeps enough hidden that I wanted more. The Old World, its structure, its magic, and how the water nymph found itself banished remain a mystery, but an intriguing one.
Again, the book follows many of the same key tropes as other young adult novels, but does enough extra work to make it stand out among the crowd.
November 10, 2023
I took a really long time to finish this book, but i ended up glad I finally did. I was bothered by some things (like her deception to her parents), but overall, I really enjoyed the novel and its various messages. Great for older elementary kids or middle school kids. I hope my kids always feel like I would believe them or listen to them with an open mind—even if they tell me they’re hiding a magical winged lion in the carriage house.
I listened to the audiobook, so I couldn’t highlight the parts that touched me, but here are some paraphrases.
The importance of reading:
Books are like blueprints. They change the people who read them and turn them into the best versions of themselves.
Advice to someone moving or trying something new: Look for the place where you fit, and if you can’t find it, then make it and invite others to join you.
Forgiving the bully who had hurt you:
That’s the thing about forgiveness. You don’t know if someone deserves it until you see what they do with it.
Another strong message was about speaking up, finding your voice, being true to yourself.
“She knows she makes the world beautiful when she blooms in her own time.”
Wow. Make sure to listen to/read the author’s note at the end. More paraphrases: I wrote a book about a girl finding her voice and then gave birth to a girl without a voice. “How can I take care of a baby who can’t cry?” “You will have to change how you listen.”
May we all learn how to listen to those who are still finding their voices and their personal roars.
I listened to the audiobook, so I couldn’t highlight the parts that touched me, but here are some paraphrases.
The importance of reading:
Books are like blueprints. They change the people who read them and turn them into the best versions of themselves.
Advice to someone moving or trying something new: Look for the place where you fit, and if you can’t find it, then make it and invite others to join you.
Forgiving the bully who had hurt you:
That’s the thing about forgiveness. You don’t know if someone deserves it until you see what they do with it.
Another strong message was about speaking up, finding your voice, being true to yourself.
“She knows she makes the world beautiful when she blooms in her own time.”
Wow. Make sure to listen to/read the author’s note at the end. More paraphrases: I wrote a book about a girl finding her voice and then gave birth to a girl without a voice. “How can I take care of a baby who can’t cry?” “You will have to change how you listen.”
May we all learn how to listen to those who are still finding their voices and their personal roars.
February 17, 2025
Who are we without the stories we love? This is the question at the heart of Hartman’s debut novel and the one that Poppy must discover the answer to through a deal gone wrong with a water nymph. When Poppy’s family moves to Oregon to restore the Lark-Hayes Manor, she has a difficult time adjusting. Poppy lives in a world of books and magic, her favorite being the Narnia series, so when she discovers a water nymph living in the abandoned manor, she can’t believe her luck… magic does exist! In exchange for a real-life winged lion, Poppy gives the water nymph her own form of magic: her Narnia book. This seems like a great deal until one by one the books from Poppy’s house disappear and all memory of their stories along with them. Only Poppy is left to remember the stories that once existed as she watches those she loves most change overnight without the influence of the stories that once shaped them. Soon Poppy must choose: keep her winged-lion turned best friend, Sampson, or bring the books back?
As someone who does not normally read fantasy books, I truly enjoyed this one. There was just the right touch of magic and fantastical creatures mixed with real life. While I still have questions (why did the water nymph get banished to the human world? Who was the Lady of Lark-Hayes Manor and what was her story?), this was one of those books that provided a small escape from the world and wasn’t heavy to read, which was a pleasant change. It truly was just a nice book and one that I could see myself using as a read aloud in the classroom.
As someone who does not normally read fantasy books, I truly enjoyed this one. There was just the right touch of magic and fantastical creatures mixed with real life. While I still have questions (why did the water nymph get banished to the human world? Who was the Lady of Lark-Hayes Manor and what was her story?), this was one of those books that provided a small escape from the world and wasn’t heavy to read, which was a pleasant change. It truly was just a nice book and one that I could see myself using as a read aloud in the classroom.
January 3, 2026
I didn’t know about this book until I read the author’s other book, which is a Mock Newbery this year. I knew as soon as I heard of it that I had to read it because the other book was so great. Both of them deal with interesting questions about the world. And with magic. That is probably where the similarities end though.
In this book, a young girl, lonely and wishing for a friend, makes a deal with a magical nymph living on her parents’ property. The nymph will give her a lion to take care of—a friend—but she must give her most prized possession in return. In this case, the prized possession is a book. The girl is perfectly happy with the lion and continues to sneak around to see him whenever possible. But she notices him growing faster than expected. And she notices changes in her family’s dynamic. Her mother can’t seem to remember a favorite book. Her brother is no longer his cool, collected self. It’s as if something is being taken from them. And the girl and her lion wonder if the stories we tell one another have more of an effect on us than we truly know. They must be clever and figure out a way to get the stories back before it’s too late!
As we think about what is happening with shows being taken off of streaming services and books being banned, I think this book is so important. We cannot lose the stories. We must protect our attention spans and our ability to read and communicate fun, riveting texts. We must be readers, viewers, consumers. Let’s let our imaginations fly like the Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor.
In this book, a young girl, lonely and wishing for a friend, makes a deal with a magical nymph living on her parents’ property. The nymph will give her a lion to take care of—a friend—but she must give her most prized possession in return. In this case, the prized possession is a book. The girl is perfectly happy with the lion and continues to sneak around to see him whenever possible. But she notices him growing faster than expected. And she notices changes in her family’s dynamic. Her mother can’t seem to remember a favorite book. Her brother is no longer his cool, collected self. It’s as if something is being taken from them. And the girl and her lion wonder if the stories we tell one another have more of an effect on us than we truly know. They must be clever and figure out a way to get the stories back before it’s too late!
As we think about what is happening with shows being taken off of streaming services and books being banned, I think this book is so important. We cannot lose the stories. We must protect our attention spans and our ability to read and communicate fun, riveting texts. We must be readers, viewers, consumers. Let’s let our imaginations fly like the Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor.
May 23, 2023
The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor is a gentle fantasy novel with a good message.
Poppy's family moves around a lot, as her parents restore old homes. The latest, Lark-Hayes Manor, is their largest yet, and a dream project of her mother's. Poppy believes in magic. Her favorite book is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and she'd rather be in a fantasy world than the real one. Her older brother fits right in at his new school, but Poppy feels out of place and invisible.
When she rescues a water nymph, it offers her a wish. Poppy first wishes to go to Narnia, but the nymph scoffs at that. Then she wishes for her very own magical lion. Unfortunately, she doesn't realize what the cost is (and there's always a cost for magic) - the nymph is stealing books from the real world, starting with her precious Narnia books.
The winged lion, named Sampson, is wonderful, but as more books disappear from the world, Poppy must decide what is more important - keeping her lion or keeping the world full of the magic of books.
Poppy is the kind of kid I was - more happy in the world of books than at middle school - and there are a lot of kids who will really identify with her. The disappearing books have an interesting effect on the world, and I really liked that aspect of the story. For kids who still believe in magic (and adults who wish they could), this is a great escape from the real world!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.
Poppy's family moves around a lot, as her parents restore old homes. The latest, Lark-Hayes Manor, is their largest yet, and a dream project of her mother's. Poppy believes in magic. Her favorite book is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and she'd rather be in a fantasy world than the real one. Her older brother fits right in at his new school, but Poppy feels out of place and invisible.
When she rescues a water nymph, it offers her a wish. Poppy first wishes to go to Narnia, but the nymph scoffs at that. Then she wishes for her very own magical lion. Unfortunately, she doesn't realize what the cost is (and there's always a cost for magic) - the nymph is stealing books from the real world, starting with her precious Narnia books.
The winged lion, named Sampson, is wonderful, but as more books disappear from the world, Poppy must decide what is more important - keeping her lion or keeping the world full of the magic of books.
Poppy is the kind of kid I was - more happy in the world of books than at middle school - and there are a lot of kids who will really identify with her. The disappearing books have an interesting effect on the world, and I really liked that aspect of the story. For kids who still believe in magic (and adults who wish they could), this is a great escape from the real world!
Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book.
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