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Wendington Jones and The Missing Tree
Wendington Jones has her world abruptly up-ended when her adventuring mother dies in a car crash in late 1920. Left in the care of her Grandmamma and her valet Rohan, Wendington receives a parcel in the middle of the night, seemingly from her dead mother. It's half of a manuscript from a book her mother was writing, and describes a mystery surrounding the mythical Tree of Life. When Wendington reads that the tree could have the power to bring her mother back to life, she throws herself into finding the remainder of the manuscript and solving her mother's mystery. However, her initial attempts are laced with danger. Other people also seek to find the Tree of Life and Wendington has to trick, fight and talk her way out of many perilous situations. Does Wendington have what it takes to complete her mission? Enola Holmes meets Indiana Jones in this epic story of mystery, adventure and learning to live with grief along the way.
332 pages, Paperback
Published April 6, 2023
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 19, 2023
In a Nutshell: An adventure story featuring a fifteen year old who can do anything and everything. Mixed feelings from this parent. But might work better for teens as they’ll identify better with the over-smart protagonist.
Story Synopsis:
Bookish Yays:
👌 The target audience will probably like Wendington as she handles things so much better than the adults in her life.
👌 Percival the newt, Wendington’s trusty amphibian sidekick who gets pulled into her adventure at no fault of his, is a fun addition to the cast of characters. The poor fellow does the best he can in every scene.
👌 The ending is somewhat bittersweet and works well for the story. It is actually the only good part of the story.
👌 I mostly liked the presence of the Indian character, though some parts of his track were quite unbelievable. (His sister ran the successful family business? In the UK? In 1920? C’mon!)
Bookish Nays:
💀 There are two kinds of children’s adventure books: one where the child has no choice but to do everything on their own (as in the recent MG adventure book I read: Lost on Gibbon Island, which was brilliant), and one where the child simply does everything on their own, disregarding the possible alternative solution that involves taking help from the adults around. This book falls in the second category. I might have gone ga-ga over this book in my teens, but as an adult, I will always point this feature as a negative in children’s fiction as it puts incorrect ideas in kids’ heads. Being brave and being foolhardy aren’t the same thing, and asking for help doesn’t make you weak.
💀 On that note, despite what the cover suggests and what the genre category on NetGalley declares, this should not be classified as children’s or middle-grade fiction for various reasons.
1. The protagonist is in her mid-teens, so this technically comes in the YA age group.
2. There are details of a first kiss. (I can picture my tween going “Ewwww!” at that scene and then bursting into giggles.)
3. There are scenes that might be scary for children. People shooting bullets that end up “shattering the kneecap” of one character and hitting another squarely in the chest? In a kid’s book? No, thank you!
💀 During the course of the story, Wendington passes judgement on quite a few people (including her own mother) for lying, not considering the feelings of others, not thinking about the long-term repercussions of a decision, being selfish, hiding true intentions, too much of secret-keeping, and so on. Guess what Wendington does throughout the book? *Sigh.*
💀 There are inconsistencies about Wendington’s character detailing as well. She is said to have an impressive height, and yet she can’t even reach the brake pedal of a car. Moreover, except for the first chapter where she speaks to her best friend, the rest of the book has her speaking mostly to adults. Yet, none of the adults speak with her as they would to a teen. Their tone of voice and manner of speaking is as if she is an adult herself. Not one of the ship staff, whom Wendington endears herself to by being a pro at engines [*eye roll*], bothers to find out why a young girl’s mother never steps out of her cabin.
💀 Speaking of inconsistencies, let me not get started on all the adventures that take place on the ship, specifically in the engine room and the boiler room. As the wife of a ship superintendent, I know the dangers in both these places, and also the noise and temperature involved. You expect me to believe that a privileged girl who knows engines mainly through theory can expertly identify the engine problems of a huge passenger liner at the snap of a finger? Moreover, no engine crew (especially a hundred years ago) would have allowed a young girl in the engine room. I won’t venture into the anomalies depicted in the functionality of lifeboats, because that will need a separate full-length rant.
💀 There are several arcs left incomplete at the end. The quest for the mythical tree involved several characters. What in the world happened to them?
I know this wasn’t a book written for my age group, and I tried my best to see some positives in it. But given a choice, this is not a book I would purchase for my kids. In many ways, it is typical YA fiction – having flat characters and a one-note story and farfetched situations. (I must remind you that I have no fondness anymore for the YA-NA genre.) I might have liked this better had it been a genuine middle-grade story with a more believable and endearing protagonist.
In short, it’s a no from me. But do keep in mind that mine is the only 2 star review so far. Others have enjoyed the book far better, so do go through those reviews to take a more informed call.
2 stars.
My thanks to UCLan Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
1920. Fifteen-year-old Wendington Jones’s world turns haywire when she hears that her adventurer-explorer mother has died in a car crash. Having already lost her father a few years back, Wendington is now left in the care of her grandmother.
When she receives a parcel in the middle of one night, she is surprised to find that it is from her late mother, and contains half a manuscript about a mythical ‘Tree of Life’ that supposedly has regenerative powers. Wendington, in her intrepid style, seeks the other half of the manuscript, but soon realises that there are more people looking for the same information. Escaping from the dangers, Wendington finds herself alone and almost penniless on a ship to Australia, attempting to locate the elusive tree. Will she be successful before the other parties catch up with her?
The story is written in the limited third person perspective of Wendington.
Bookish Yays:
👌 The target audience will probably like Wendington as she handles things so much better than the adults in her life.
👌 Percival the newt, Wendington’s trusty amphibian sidekick who gets pulled into her adventure at no fault of his, is a fun addition to the cast of characters. The poor fellow does the best he can in every scene.
👌 The ending is somewhat bittersweet and works well for the story. It is actually the only good part of the story.
👌 I mostly liked the presence of the Indian character, though some parts of his track were quite unbelievable. (His sister ran the successful family business? In the UK? In 1920? C’mon!)
Bookish Nays:
💀 There are two kinds of children’s adventure books: one where the child has no choice but to do everything on their own (as in the recent MG adventure book I read: Lost on Gibbon Island, which was brilliant), and one where the child simply does everything on their own, disregarding the possible alternative solution that involves taking help from the adults around. This book falls in the second category. I might have gone ga-ga over this book in my teens, but as an adult, I will always point this feature as a negative in children’s fiction as it puts incorrect ideas in kids’ heads. Being brave and being foolhardy aren’t the same thing, and asking for help doesn’t make you weak.
💀 On that note, despite what the cover suggests and what the genre category on NetGalley declares, this should not be classified as children’s or middle-grade fiction for various reasons.
1. The protagonist is in her mid-teens, so this technically comes in the YA age group.
2. There are details of a first kiss. (I can picture my tween going “Ewwww!” at that scene and then bursting into giggles.)
3. There are scenes that might be scary for children. People shooting bullets that end up “shattering the kneecap” of one character and hitting another squarely in the chest? In a kid’s book? No, thank you!
💀 During the course of the story, Wendington passes judgement on quite a few people (including her own mother) for lying, not considering the feelings of others, not thinking about the long-term repercussions of a decision, being selfish, hiding true intentions, too much of secret-keeping, and so on. Guess what Wendington does throughout the book? *Sigh.*
💀 There are inconsistencies about Wendington’s character detailing as well. She is said to have an impressive height, and yet she can’t even reach the brake pedal of a car. Moreover, except for the first chapter where she speaks to her best friend, the rest of the book has her speaking mostly to adults. Yet, none of the adults speak with her as they would to a teen. Their tone of voice and manner of speaking is as if she is an adult herself. Not one of the ship staff, whom Wendington endears herself to by being a pro at engines [*eye roll*], bothers to find out why a young girl’s mother never steps out of her cabin.
💀 Speaking of inconsistencies, let me not get started on all the adventures that take place on the ship, specifically in the engine room and the boiler room. As the wife of a ship superintendent, I know the dangers in both these places, and also the noise and temperature involved. You expect me to believe that a privileged girl who knows engines mainly through theory can expertly identify the engine problems of a huge passenger liner at the snap of a finger? Moreover, no engine crew (especially a hundred years ago) would have allowed a young girl in the engine room. I won’t venture into the anomalies depicted in the functionality of lifeboats, because that will need a separate full-length rant.
💀 There are several arcs left incomplete at the end. The quest for the mythical tree involved several characters. What in the world happened to them?
I know this wasn’t a book written for my age group, and I tried my best to see some positives in it. But given a choice, this is not a book I would purchase for my kids. In many ways, it is typical YA fiction – having flat characters and a one-note story and farfetched situations. (I must remind you that I have no fondness anymore for the YA-NA genre.) I might have liked this better had it been a genuine middle-grade story with a more believable and endearing protagonist.
In short, it’s a no from me. But do keep in mind that mine is the only 2 star review so far. Others have enjoyed the book far better, so do go through those reviews to take a more informed call.
2 stars.
My thanks to UCLan Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC of “Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this didn’t work out better.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
May 27, 2025
The plot
It is late in 1920, and fifteen-year-old Wendington Jones, aka Wendi, daughter of the famed anthropologist Pennington Jones, has her world turned upside down. She is informed by the headmistress at her school that her mother, along with her valet, has died in a car crash.
Now orphaned, she becomes the responsibility of her grandmother, and her valet Rohan, a man Wendington isn’t at all sure of. At the stroke of midnight, not long after, Wendington receives a parcel from her dead mother. Within is half of a manuscript relating to a book her mother was writing. It describes her adventures in pursuit of the mythical Tree of Life.
Realising that the fabled tree could bring her mother and father back to life, she decides to complete her mother’s work and adventure. But first, she must find the other half of the manuscript. In recent mail received at her grandmother’s house, she discovers a letter from her mother’s editor. It reveals that the other half was posted to her mother’s valet’s house in a nearby village. There is also a ticket on a ship leaving for Australia the next day. But the letter holds a warning that others also seek the tree, and Pennington should not travel alone!
Whilst trying to retrieve the other half, she is attacked and has to flee the scene. Finding her gran’s car outside, she makes good her escape, dodging gunfire. In the rearview mirror, she spies Rohan, gun in hand, staring after her.
This is where everything starts to go wrong for Wendi. It is the turning point that leads to danger, discovery and adventure. And an ocean trip to Australia to discover, or rather, rediscover, the tree which is said to be there.
The story takes on a cat-and-mouse game on the ship and off. Wendi is desperately trying to figure out the secrets and location of the tree from only part of her mother’s work. She also needs to find out who has the other half of the manuscript that was not at the valet’s house. Heeding the editor’s warning, she has to figure out whom amongst her fellow passengers she can trust. None of this is easy when you are a child alone on a cruise liner and trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible to the crew and passengers.
And there is as strange and doubtful a group of passengers on board as even Agatha Christie could wish for. One person, or rather creature, she can rely on is Percival. He is a newt she discovered on the evening of the funeral. His opinions, however, will not save her from the destruction of the ship as well as attempts on her life and that of other passengers.
To find out what else goes on in this action-packed adventure, be it by car, ship, horse or plane, you’ll just have to read the book…..
So, what did we think?
Rich in description, attitude and adventure, this book offers and delivers so much to the reader. The 1920s are such a wonderful period in human history to set an adventure in. Arguably a golden age for travel and exploration. Even more so as women were starting to explore and exercise their own rights and talents, and in some respects, come to the fore.
As a writer myself, I love this period; our own adventures are set in this time, and it creates a wonderful air of discovery, challenges and opportunity for characters and writers. It is empowering for younger readers to truly understand what we have. For them to appreciate where we are now, and to understand what we have gained, and also sadly, what we have lost.
It was difficult not to love our protagonist’s attitude from the start. Pendington is bold, clever in the sense of well-read, very inquisitive, with a wit that is often pithy. However well-read she is, she is, like most fifteen-year-olds, not well-practised or experienced. She is also very human and a bit flawed, as the opening scene at her school indicates. Mrs H says that she was a bit like that as a child.
I loved that about Wendi. She is a very human fifteen-year-old who is dealing with the loss of her mother, having already lost her father. In fact, this book really is all about dealing with loss.
Having said that, it was hard to place this book down as there was always something happening or about to happen. It has oodles of adventure interspersed with tongue-in-cheek humour and thoughts as Wendington works things out. Having read up on the author’s process, Percival the newt is there as a silent foil, a sounding board so Wendi, who is alone in her grief, can express her thoughts out loud to us, the reader. He also makes a delightful sidekick who adds his own humour.
There is peril aplenty, everything from planes to trains, with cars and horses in between. I doubt the likes of Enola Holmes, Adèle Blanc-Sec, or a certain American professor would have fared better against the villains our Wendington Jones comes up against.
So, to sum this book up...
A rare and wondrous story that is a subtle and delightful blend of an adult movie adventure with heaps of Agatha Christie 1920s style. The very best adventure a young lady or man could ever wish for. At 317 pages, this is, we feel, at the more advanced end of Middle Grade reading, but well within the grasp of most. It definitely fits into the 10-14 year old range. Certainly, it makes for a grand adult read.
But most important of all, under all the action, there is a much bigger driver. One that we think is incredibly well dealt with. This story is first and foremost about loss, grief, the avoidance thereof, and then coming to terms with and dealing with it. Some of the strongest moments, and also the most heart-tugging, come from these themes. That in itself is a journey of discovery and as strong, if not stronger, than what goes on around and about.
Of course, a satisfactory conclusion does not mean all’s well that ends well, at least for some. Which is another reason to love this story. Come the end of the tale and the character’s journey thus far, both the spiritual and actual, we both truly felt we had been on the adventure too. And had learned something very important about life and death, just like Wendi. This adventure deals with all aspects of both in a respectful way. At times blunt, but better for it.
So there you have it. An excellent read, a highly recommended adventure that will stay with us a long time, and become a reference by which to judge other stories.
It is late in 1920, and fifteen-year-old Wendington Jones, aka Wendi, daughter of the famed anthropologist Pennington Jones, has her world turned upside down. She is informed by the headmistress at her school that her mother, along with her valet, has died in a car crash.
Now orphaned, she becomes the responsibility of her grandmother, and her valet Rohan, a man Wendington isn’t at all sure of. At the stroke of midnight, not long after, Wendington receives a parcel from her dead mother. Within is half of a manuscript relating to a book her mother was writing. It describes her adventures in pursuit of the mythical Tree of Life.
Realising that the fabled tree could bring her mother and father back to life, she decides to complete her mother’s work and adventure. But first, she must find the other half of the manuscript. In recent mail received at her grandmother’s house, she discovers a letter from her mother’s editor. It reveals that the other half was posted to her mother’s valet’s house in a nearby village. There is also a ticket on a ship leaving for Australia the next day. But the letter holds a warning that others also seek the tree, and Pennington should not travel alone!
Whilst trying to retrieve the other half, she is attacked and has to flee the scene. Finding her gran’s car outside, she makes good her escape, dodging gunfire. In the rearview mirror, she spies Rohan, gun in hand, staring after her.
This is where everything starts to go wrong for Wendi. It is the turning point that leads to danger, discovery and adventure. And an ocean trip to Australia to discover, or rather, rediscover, the tree which is said to be there.
The story takes on a cat-and-mouse game on the ship and off. Wendi is desperately trying to figure out the secrets and location of the tree from only part of her mother’s work. She also needs to find out who has the other half of the manuscript that was not at the valet’s house. Heeding the editor’s warning, she has to figure out whom amongst her fellow passengers she can trust. None of this is easy when you are a child alone on a cruise liner and trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible to the crew and passengers.
And there is as strange and doubtful a group of passengers on board as even Agatha Christie could wish for. One person, or rather creature, she can rely on is Percival. He is a newt she discovered on the evening of the funeral. His opinions, however, will not save her from the destruction of the ship as well as attempts on her life and that of other passengers.
To find out what else goes on in this action-packed adventure, be it by car, ship, horse or plane, you’ll just have to read the book…..
So, what did we think?
Rich in description, attitude and adventure, this book offers and delivers so much to the reader. The 1920s are such a wonderful period in human history to set an adventure in. Arguably a golden age for travel and exploration. Even more so as women were starting to explore and exercise their own rights and talents, and in some respects, come to the fore.
As a writer myself, I love this period; our own adventures are set in this time, and it creates a wonderful air of discovery, challenges and opportunity for characters and writers. It is empowering for younger readers to truly understand what we have. For them to appreciate where we are now, and to understand what we have gained, and also sadly, what we have lost.
It was difficult not to love our protagonist’s attitude from the start. Pendington is bold, clever in the sense of well-read, very inquisitive, with a wit that is often pithy. However well-read she is, she is, like most fifteen-year-olds, not well-practised or experienced. She is also very human and a bit flawed, as the opening scene at her school indicates. Mrs H says that she was a bit like that as a child.
I loved that about Wendi. She is a very human fifteen-year-old who is dealing with the loss of her mother, having already lost her father. In fact, this book really is all about dealing with loss.
Having said that, it was hard to place this book down as there was always something happening or about to happen. It has oodles of adventure interspersed with tongue-in-cheek humour and thoughts as Wendington works things out. Having read up on the author’s process, Percival the newt is there as a silent foil, a sounding board so Wendi, who is alone in her grief, can express her thoughts out loud to us, the reader. He also makes a delightful sidekick who adds his own humour.
There is peril aplenty, everything from planes to trains, with cars and horses in between. I doubt the likes of Enola Holmes, Adèle Blanc-Sec, or a certain American professor would have fared better against the villains our Wendington Jones comes up against.
So, to sum this book up...
A rare and wondrous story that is a subtle and delightful blend of an adult movie adventure with heaps of Agatha Christie 1920s style. The very best adventure a young lady or man could ever wish for. At 317 pages, this is, we feel, at the more advanced end of Middle Grade reading, but well within the grasp of most. It definitely fits into the 10-14 year old range. Certainly, it makes for a grand adult read.
But most important of all, under all the action, there is a much bigger driver. One that we think is incredibly well dealt with. This story is first and foremost about loss, grief, the avoidance thereof, and then coming to terms with and dealing with it. Some of the strongest moments, and also the most heart-tugging, come from these themes. That in itself is a journey of discovery and as strong, if not stronger, than what goes on around and about.
Of course, a satisfactory conclusion does not mean all’s well that ends well, at least for some. Which is another reason to love this story. Come the end of the tale and the character’s journey thus far, both the spiritual and actual, we both truly felt we had been on the adventure too. And had learned something very important about life and death, just like Wendi. This adventure deals with all aspects of both in a respectful way. At times blunt, but better for it.
So there you have it. An excellent read, a highly recommended adventure that will stay with us a long time, and become a reference by which to judge other stories.
April 8, 2023
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Adventurous indeed; danger and action galore
1920
Wendington Jones finds her world torn apart when her mother dies in a car accident. An adventurer all her life, Pennington Jones has been an inspiration for her daughter. Now, Wendington is left in her Grandmamma’s care with Rohan, a new valet, to handle the details.
When Wendington receives a half manuscript of her mother’s latest book, she realizes that her mother might have succeeded in finding the Tree of Life somewhere in Australia. One thing leads to another, and Wendington realizes that many people want the manuscript and will do anything to take it from her.
Determined to complete the mystery, Wendington gets the ship to Australia. She realizes that the danger is greater than she expected, and no one is who they claim to be. Can she solve the mystery and find the Tree of Life? Will the magical tree bring back her mother?
The story comes in Wendington Jones’ limited-third person POV.
My Thoughts:
This is a book I wanted to love. It has everything I like in MG fiction. However, I ended the book with mixed feelings.
The blurb calls it Enola Holmes meets Indiana Jones, and I agree with the comparison. The number of times Wendington gets into dangerous situations is exhausting. Kids who read the book should be aware that they aren’t supposed to try any of this to have an ‘adventure’.
Here’s a fifteen-year-old girl- adamant, determined, sharp, brave, but also reckless and careless. Moreover, she is mourning the loss of her parents and is emotionally vulnerable. The book is one danger after another, which means Wendington also has numerous injuries and still keeps going, just like Indiana Jones.
I love that Wendington is more than capable of taking care of herself. She can get things done and isn’t afraid to bend the rules when necessary. Thankfully, she also knows enough to stay away from dangerous people, if only she could easily identify who they are.
The first chapter establishes Wendington’s character and does it with enough laughs and bittersweet moments. The first 35% of the book is fast-paced as it establishes the core plot and leads us to it. The last 25% picks up pace again, and things start to come together. However, the chunk in the middle (with Wendington on the ship) gets a little too long with endless incidents.
One issue I have with MG and YA fiction is how the main characters think they need to take on the world on their own. Ask for help! Without giving spoilers, I can say that Wendington would have had it easier if she went to that one person who controlled the ship. Of course, she probably could have worked it out without running away from home, but then that’s no adventure.
Grief, loss, and loneliness are presented very well. Wendingtoon goes through different emotions and learns to deal with them over time. Her emotions are real and a part of her. She does grow at the end of the book, so that’s a good thing.
Percival is Wendington’s adopted pet newt, and he accompanies her on the adventure. The poor guy hardly has any say in the matter, though he is 100% loyal and sticks close to his new human friend. The scenes with the newt are quite funny and will appeal to the target audience.
The writing is descriptive without being overly done. It’s easy to picturize the setting and the characters. The style is easy- informal and casual enough to keep the reader’s hooked. However, the book doesn’t have a single illustration. I hoped it would have at least a few, especially of the tree. Maybe the final copy will include artwork, but the ARC doesn’t. (The cover is perfect with those little details).
The ending brings a hopeful and bittersweet closure for the lead character. However, I’m left with a few questions about what happened to certain people who played a major role in the book. It would have been nice to know they got their due. Since the book is very much standalone, a couple of paragraphs to tie the loose ends would have helped.
I appreciate the Indian rep in the book, though I have to point out that India was still fighting to be rid of colonial rule during that period (and for another 27 years!). Rohan's family has been in England for years by then, and as always, this kind of thing leaves me with mixed feelings.
To summarize, Wendington Jones and The Missing Tree is an action and danger-filled adventure story with a capable and clever lead character. The target audience will love it. However, as an adult, I couldn’t help but want to knock sense into her head and tell her to be sensible. There’s only so much danger a human body can handle!
Thank you, NetGalley and UCLan Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #WendingtonJonesandTheMissingTree
***
TW: Parental death, mourning, shooting, near-death experiences.
One Liner: Adventurous indeed; danger and action galore
1920
Wendington Jones finds her world torn apart when her mother dies in a car accident. An adventurer all her life, Pennington Jones has been an inspiration for her daughter. Now, Wendington is left in her Grandmamma’s care with Rohan, a new valet, to handle the details.
When Wendington receives a half manuscript of her mother’s latest book, she realizes that her mother might have succeeded in finding the Tree of Life somewhere in Australia. One thing leads to another, and Wendington realizes that many people want the manuscript and will do anything to take it from her.
Determined to complete the mystery, Wendington gets the ship to Australia. She realizes that the danger is greater than she expected, and no one is who they claim to be. Can she solve the mystery and find the Tree of Life? Will the magical tree bring back her mother?
The story comes in Wendington Jones’ limited-third person POV.
My Thoughts:
This is a book I wanted to love. It has everything I like in MG fiction. However, I ended the book with mixed feelings.
The blurb calls it Enola Holmes meets Indiana Jones, and I agree with the comparison. The number of times Wendington gets into dangerous situations is exhausting. Kids who read the book should be aware that they aren’t supposed to try any of this to have an ‘adventure’.
Here’s a fifteen-year-old girl- adamant, determined, sharp, brave, but also reckless and careless. Moreover, she is mourning the loss of her parents and is emotionally vulnerable. The book is one danger after another, which means Wendington also has numerous injuries and still keeps going, just like Indiana Jones.
I love that Wendington is more than capable of taking care of herself. She can get things done and isn’t afraid to bend the rules when necessary. Thankfully, she also knows enough to stay away from dangerous people, if only she could easily identify who they are.
The first chapter establishes Wendington’s character and does it with enough laughs and bittersweet moments. The first 35% of the book is fast-paced as it establishes the core plot and leads us to it. The last 25% picks up pace again, and things start to come together. However, the chunk in the middle (with Wendington on the ship) gets a little too long with endless incidents.
One issue I have with MG and YA fiction is how the main characters think they need to take on the world on their own. Ask for help! Without giving spoilers, I can say that Wendington would have had it easier if she went to that one person who controlled the ship. Of course, she probably could have worked it out without running away from home, but then that’s no adventure.
Grief, loss, and loneliness are presented very well. Wendingtoon goes through different emotions and learns to deal with them over time. Her emotions are real and a part of her. She does grow at the end of the book, so that’s a good thing.
Percival is Wendington’s adopted pet newt, and he accompanies her on the adventure. The poor guy hardly has any say in the matter, though he is 100% loyal and sticks close to his new human friend. The scenes with the newt are quite funny and will appeal to the target audience.
The writing is descriptive without being overly done. It’s easy to picturize the setting and the characters. The style is easy- informal and casual enough to keep the reader’s hooked. However, the book doesn’t have a single illustration. I hoped it would have at least a few, especially of the tree. Maybe the final copy will include artwork, but the ARC doesn’t. (The cover is perfect with those little details).
The ending brings a hopeful and bittersweet closure for the lead character. However, I’m left with a few questions about what happened to certain people who played a major role in the book. It would have been nice to know they got their due. Since the book is very much standalone, a couple of paragraphs to tie the loose ends would have helped.
I appreciate the Indian rep in the book, though I have to point out that India was still fighting to be rid of colonial rule during that period (and for another 27 years!). Rohan's family has been in England for years by then, and as always, this kind of thing leaves me with mixed feelings.
To summarize, Wendington Jones and The Missing Tree is an action and danger-filled adventure story with a capable and clever lead character. The target audience will love it. However, as an adult, I couldn’t help but want to knock sense into her head and tell her to be sensible. There’s only so much danger a human body can handle!
Thank you, NetGalley and UCLan Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #WendingtonJonesandTheMissingTree
***
TW: Parental death, mourning, shooting, near-death experiences.
April 17, 2023
In Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree, Dockery has conceived a magical book fizzing with whirlwind adventure. Wendington is a spunky teen whose world is turned upside down with the sudden demise of her adventure loving mother. She was her entire world and meant so much to her. The bottom has fallen out of her world. Until she receives one half of a manuscript from a book her mother was writing. It describes the mythical Tree of Life. Could there be a chance that her beloved mother could be brought back to life?
This is where Wendingtons adventures begin accompanied by a newt she befriends or is it the other way round. Her determination to find the tree against all odds is nothing short of inspirational. Along the way she meets the good and the very many bad and ugly. Undaunted she continues to race headlong into danger paying little heed to herself. Unable to trust anyone she has to resort to trickery and subterfuge to get out of sticky situations. Her courage and determination are all the more admirable as it is 1920 and women and young gals did not have many freedoms.
Dockerys imagination floods every page, terrifying and interspersed with folkloric magic, that is both clever and gripping. I jumped into it full throttle, impressed with Wendingtons boldness and intellectual brilliance. True she had been encouraged in this by her parents. She is what we call a geek aka nerd depending on which side of the pond one lives today. However, an unusually intrepid one who would readily get entangled in an adventure full of high stakes, unexpected twists and baddies galore. I loved Wendingtons character. Naturally she had her highs and lows when she almost gave up. Yet she could do no wrong in my eyes. The lass was unfazed that she would have to travel alone halfway across the world to find this elusive missing tree. Throughout I was biting my nails hardly able to contain my excitement whilst rooting for our heroine.
I loved how Dockery laid out this plucky intrepid teens character. He braids her character and emotions with those of the other characters which was pivotal in keeping me glued to the story. Dockerys perceptiveness is enthralling, All the jigsaw puzzles in this mystery fit together perfectly and in the right order. The only thing missing was why Peni chose to find this tree. True, as an explorer her curiosity was likely piqued by its sheer mystery. And yet….. um something was missing. I discovered the real reason toward the end of the tale and suddenly it made sense. Ah I’m not engaging in a spoiler reveal. If your curiosity is also piqued, I suggest reading the novel. One things for sure, you won’t regret it. The very definition of a page-turner: riveting, punchy, with surprises around every bend it is an exciting read.
Ending with an HEA my only sticking point is if a young lass could survive the numerous falls and serious injuries Wendington suffers to her head. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful story of grief in the midst of a chaotic ocean journey across the world. Wendington defied so many of the norms for girls her age at the time and the contrast between England and Australia was crafted perfectly. Yup definitely an Indiana Jonesque style tale. This book is definitely a keeper.
This is where Wendingtons adventures begin accompanied by a newt she befriends or is it the other way round. Her determination to find the tree against all odds is nothing short of inspirational. Along the way she meets the good and the very many bad and ugly. Undaunted she continues to race headlong into danger paying little heed to herself. Unable to trust anyone she has to resort to trickery and subterfuge to get out of sticky situations. Her courage and determination are all the more admirable as it is 1920 and women and young gals did not have many freedoms.
Dockerys imagination floods every page, terrifying and interspersed with folkloric magic, that is both clever and gripping. I jumped into it full throttle, impressed with Wendingtons boldness and intellectual brilliance. True she had been encouraged in this by her parents. She is what we call a geek aka nerd depending on which side of the pond one lives today. However, an unusually intrepid one who would readily get entangled in an adventure full of high stakes, unexpected twists and baddies galore. I loved Wendingtons character. Naturally she had her highs and lows when she almost gave up. Yet she could do no wrong in my eyes. The lass was unfazed that she would have to travel alone halfway across the world to find this elusive missing tree. Throughout I was biting my nails hardly able to contain my excitement whilst rooting for our heroine.
I loved how Dockery laid out this plucky intrepid teens character. He braids her character and emotions with those of the other characters which was pivotal in keeping me glued to the story. Dockerys perceptiveness is enthralling, All the jigsaw puzzles in this mystery fit together perfectly and in the right order. The only thing missing was why Peni chose to find this tree. True, as an explorer her curiosity was likely piqued by its sheer mystery. And yet….. um something was missing. I discovered the real reason toward the end of the tale and suddenly it made sense. Ah I’m not engaging in a spoiler reveal. If your curiosity is also piqued, I suggest reading the novel. One things for sure, you won’t regret it. The very definition of a page-turner: riveting, punchy, with surprises around every bend it is an exciting read.
Ending with an HEA my only sticking point is if a young lass could survive the numerous falls and serious injuries Wendington suffers to her head. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful story of grief in the midst of a chaotic ocean journey across the world. Wendington defied so many of the norms for girls her age at the time and the contrast between England and Australia was crafted perfectly. Yup definitely an Indiana Jonesque style tale. This book is definitely a keeper.
May 5, 2023
"An adventure only half lived, Wendington, is not an adventure at all. It is an opportunity missed."
Thank you, NetGalley and UCLan Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wendington Jones idolises her mother, an explorer and adventurer. Pennington Jones dies tragically in an accident, leaving her daughter to live with her Grandmother.
One might, a man delivers a package to Wendington which holds a rough draft of her mother's latest book. The book details a mystery about the Tree of Life, and Wendington begins to wonder if this truly could be the way to bring her mother back.
"The Tree of Life was a different tree. A tree that gave essence and vitality to everything and everyone around it."
Others have hoped to find the Tree of Life, and it seems that Wendington's mother had found something that was enough to endanger her life...and now the life of her daughter. Despite the danger, Wendington sets out on her adventure, "and although she held in her hands maps of everywhere in the world, Wendington felt completely lost".
Review
My first thought reading this is that I think it feels a little more YA than a children's book - the level of threats/violence just felt a bit more grown up than the cover and rating would suggest you would expect as a reader.
I really enjoyed the premise of this and felt that Wendington's personality was mostly the right fir for this type of story. On that note, Wendington is very grown up for a teenager, which I think works for a younger audience. She definitely comes across as over smart, and feels she would be best to do things rather than someone else.
Maybe this is because I'm an adult, but I wish this story could have shown Wendington asking for help! I do think it is so important to show independent 'I can do this myself' characters in fiction for younger audiences, but I also think there needs to be balance and that there is no shame in asking for help (from grown ups or otherwise).
I also really liked the setting! The 1920s is such an interesting era and it felt fitting for this story.
The representation of grief was really nice. We see Wendington struggle with loneliness and this felt well written. I liked that there was an arc to this and it supported the development of her character.
My only major criticism would be some of the inconsistencies. Some parts of the story didn't feel complete by the end, and I was struggling to picture Wendington at times as her descriptions felt like they changed? The pacing was fast in places and then dragged a little in others but overall it felt fine.
Overall, the premise was really fun and overall the story was enjoyable. I felt like some of the lessons presented in the story were valuable, and it was nice to see Wendington grow throughout.
Thank you, NetGalley and UCLan Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wendington Jones idolises her mother, an explorer and adventurer. Pennington Jones dies tragically in an accident, leaving her daughter to live with her Grandmother.
One might, a man delivers a package to Wendington which holds a rough draft of her mother's latest book. The book details a mystery about the Tree of Life, and Wendington begins to wonder if this truly could be the way to bring her mother back.
"The Tree of Life was a different tree. A tree that gave essence and vitality to everything and everyone around it."
Others have hoped to find the Tree of Life, and it seems that Wendington's mother had found something that was enough to endanger her life...and now the life of her daughter. Despite the danger, Wendington sets out on her adventure, "and although she held in her hands maps of everywhere in the world, Wendington felt completely lost".
Review
My first thought reading this is that I think it feels a little more YA than a children's book - the level of threats/violence just felt a bit more grown up than the cover and rating would suggest you would expect as a reader.
I really enjoyed the premise of this and felt that Wendington's personality was mostly the right fir for this type of story. On that note, Wendington is very grown up for a teenager, which I think works for a younger audience. She definitely comes across as over smart, and feels she would be best to do things rather than someone else.
Maybe this is because I'm an adult, but I wish this story could have shown Wendington asking for help! I do think it is so important to show independent 'I can do this myself' characters in fiction for younger audiences, but I also think there needs to be balance and that there is no shame in asking for help (from grown ups or otherwise).
I also really liked the setting! The 1920s is such an interesting era and it felt fitting for this story.
The representation of grief was really nice. We see Wendington struggle with loneliness and this felt well written. I liked that there was an arc to this and it supported the development of her character.
My only major criticism would be some of the inconsistencies. Some parts of the story didn't feel complete by the end, and I was struggling to picture Wendington at times as her descriptions felt like they changed? The pacing was fast in places and then dragged a little in others but overall it felt fine.
Overall, the premise was really fun and overall the story was enjoyable. I felt like some of the lessons presented in the story were valuable, and it was nice to see Wendington grow throughout.
August 22, 2023
“An adventure only half lived is not an adventure at all. It is an opportunity missed.”
One of my favourite children’s reads of this year so far - a brilliant and funny adventure with a cast of fascinating characters.
Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree is a brilliant middle grade adventure story with one of the funniest heroines I’ve read in a long time. Set in the 1920s, Wendington’s mother is an explorer and adventurer so when she dies in a car crash and Wendington is made an orphan (her father having died years earlier) she sets out to unravel the mystery behind her mother’s last book - that of the Tree of Life.
The majority of the book is set aboard a passenger ship as Wendington travels from Southampton to Australia. Onboard she meets a huge cast of fascinating characters and she can’t tell who is there to help her or who is out to steal her mother’s final manuscript and find the tree before her.
It was a brilliantly written, pacey adventure story with some fantastic characters. They were all described so well - I particularly liked Maggie and Teddy Jackson, a newly married couple who befriended Wendington early on in the voyage when she found them playing cards on deck with only half a pack.
The focus of the book was on dealing with grief and the ending did bring a satisfying sense of closure. There were some threads left unexplored and questions remaining around some of the characters but I did like that not everything was neatly tied up.
It’s definitely a middle grade adventure for older readers with Wendington being 15 years old but I don’t think this stops it being middle grade - I can think of lots of children who would enjoy her wit, courage and intelligence.
Overall, an excellent read and one I highly recommend.
One of my favourite children’s reads of this year so far - a brilliant and funny adventure with a cast of fascinating characters.
Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree is a brilliant middle grade adventure story with one of the funniest heroines I’ve read in a long time. Set in the 1920s, Wendington’s mother is an explorer and adventurer so when she dies in a car crash and Wendington is made an orphan (her father having died years earlier) she sets out to unravel the mystery behind her mother’s last book - that of the Tree of Life.
The majority of the book is set aboard a passenger ship as Wendington travels from Southampton to Australia. Onboard she meets a huge cast of fascinating characters and she can’t tell who is there to help her or who is out to steal her mother’s final manuscript and find the tree before her.
It was a brilliantly written, pacey adventure story with some fantastic characters. They were all described so well - I particularly liked Maggie and Teddy Jackson, a newly married couple who befriended Wendington early on in the voyage when she found them playing cards on deck with only half a pack.
The focus of the book was on dealing with grief and the ending did bring a satisfying sense of closure. There were some threads left unexplored and questions remaining around some of the characters but I did like that not everything was neatly tied up.
It’s definitely a middle grade adventure for older readers with Wendington being 15 years old but I don’t think this stops it being middle grade - I can think of lots of children who would enjoy her wit, courage and intelligence.
Overall, an excellent read and one I highly recommend.
March 7, 2024
A fun teenage adventure story but with a strong message about how to cope with loss and grief. Wendington was a strong and adventurous girl, daughter of the great explorer Pennington Jones, and now orphan who takes it upon herself to finish her mother's last adventure. Except there are others who also wish to find what she found, and maybe her accident wasn't so accidental. Using her mother's boat ticket and what she can read of her mother's last manuscript she sets off on what should be an easy trip, if it weren't for the others.
With so much going on, the book was action-packed and kept you hooked easily. There were lots of characters, but all easily distinguishable (the American couple, the French family, the group of sinister-looking men whose accents keep changing) and with a setting of pretty much just the SS Pembroke so everyone was around the whole time and there wasn't too much to keep track of, it was easy to follow along with Wendington. I do think there were some small things that didn't get answered in the end, but then since Wendington didn't find out maybe we weren't meant to find out either (I'd have liked to know though haha).
I think I was imagining this book was for a slightly younger audience than maybe it was, so I thought some of the things seemed a little bit dangerous for a young audience (a 15 year-old being able to drive on their first attempt having only been told how a car works from the valet?) but maybe I'm just underestimating teenagers.
A great debut, a lovely message about coping with grief and a fun adventure.
With so much going on, the book was action-packed and kept you hooked easily. There were lots of characters, but all easily distinguishable (the American couple, the French family, the group of sinister-looking men whose accents keep changing) and with a setting of pretty much just the SS Pembroke so everyone was around the whole time and there wasn't too much to keep track of, it was easy to follow along with Wendington. I do think there were some small things that didn't get answered in the end, but then since Wendington didn't find out maybe we weren't meant to find out either (I'd have liked to know though haha).
I think I was imagining this book was for a slightly younger audience than maybe it was, so I thought some of the things seemed a little bit dangerous for a young audience (a 15 year-old being able to drive on their first attempt having only been told how a car works from the valet?) but maybe I'm just underestimating teenagers.
A great debut, a lovely message about coping with grief and a fun adventure.
February 26, 2023
When her mother's dies, Wendington Jones loses not only a parent but also her idol and her dreams of being one day an explorer, going to the most remote places on Earth with the great Pennington Jones.
However, out of the depths of Wendington's grief, comes a ray of hope, delivered at midnight to the door of her family home. The last, incomplete manuscript of her mother, revealing the discovery of the mysterious Tree of Life, associated with stories and legends where the dead are brought back to life. The idea of bringing back her mother is irresistible but others are also looking for the tree - Wendington's quest will be fraught with obstacles and danger.
Wendington Jones and The Missing Tree is an enchanting and very exciting read. The main character captures the hearts of the reader straight away as we share her pain at losing her mother so young and even more so when it becomes clear that Wendington is far from being a helpless damsel in distress. She's sharp-witted, daring, brave, thinks of others and has a keen interest in travelling and engineering. In short, she's an amazing role model and inspiration for young people everywhere. The story is absolutely bursting with action and twists, making it appealing for any reader, really. Highly recommended read!
However, out of the depths of Wendington's grief, comes a ray of hope, delivered at midnight to the door of her family home. The last, incomplete manuscript of her mother, revealing the discovery of the mysterious Tree of Life, associated with stories and legends where the dead are brought back to life. The idea of bringing back her mother is irresistible but others are also looking for the tree - Wendington's quest will be fraught with obstacles and danger.
Wendington Jones and The Missing Tree is an enchanting and very exciting read. The main character captures the hearts of the reader straight away as we share her pain at losing her mother so young and even more so when it becomes clear that Wendington is far from being a helpless damsel in distress. She's sharp-witted, daring, brave, thinks of others and has a keen interest in travelling and engineering. In short, she's an amazing role model and inspiration for young people everywhere. The story is absolutely bursting with action and twists, making it appealing for any reader, really. Highly recommended read!
Read
February 19, 2023I had the pleasure of working on this book during my dissertation and became extremely familiar with its story and characters. It was amazing to be able to watch Wendington develop throughout the story and the process and see her become the strong heroine that she is by the end of the book. Wendington is a strong and charismatic character who makes it impossible not to fall in love with and I know that myself at 13 or 14 would have been in awe of her. The story sits somewhere between slow and fast paced with extremely tense moments at time that leave the reader hooked and unable to stop reading during those intense moments of action. The narrative takes the reader on a journey that mimics that of Wendington, allowing us to embrace not only the emotions of the character but the chaos of the journey that she takes. Wendington Jones and The Missing Tree is a beautiful story of grief in the midst of a chaotic oceanic journey across the world. The setting of the 1920s was perfect for this story as Wendington defied so many of the norms for girls her age at the time and the contrast between England and Australia was crafted perfectly.
May 3, 2023
A fast paced thriller, perfect for teens and tweens who enjoy mystery and adventure. Within a very short space of time Wendington Jones, daughter of famous female adventurer, Pennington Jones, discovers that her mother has been killed, that before her death she sent half of the manuscript for her latest book to her daughter and half to her valet. The valet is also dead and the courier who delivers the manuscript to Wendington soon also meets his end. Then Wendington's manuscript disappears and she suspects the family's new valet, Rohan, is the culprit, and a threat to her life to boot. Bravely she embarks on a sole journey on a steamship across the world to Australia ... where again she is beset by a host of unsavory characters keen to learn her mother's secrets. From beginning to end I thought this was an excellent story, keeping me entertained and wanting to know what the ultimate outcome would be. A recommended read for fans of the Murder Most Ladylike stories
March 19, 2023
This is a ‘rip roaring’ adventure for the younger reader. In the 1920s Wedington Jones, a feisty young women, finds herself orphaned and on her way to Australia following her mother’s unpublished manuscript about the tree of life, and the thought she might be able to bring back her parents. As things get a bit scary who can she trust? Well definitely a newt she befriends. (It doesn’t matter if the newt she nameds Percival understands or is actually a help, Wedington likes talking to him and he likes being fed). Has Wedington got what it takes to complete her quest? Well she is certainly going to give it a go! Thank to UClan Publishing and NetGalley. for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
April 9, 2023
“Dinner first, and then I aim to misbehave.”
Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree is for those who love the Enola Holmes series/films or a bit of Agatha Christie.
With a huge cast of characters, kind of in a locked room (it’s a ship in the middle of the ocean on the way to Australia), you can’t trust anyone, and you second guess every interaction.
Wendington is experiencing a huge grief (loss of her mother) and all she really needs is a friend, and she struggles to find this. The only one she can truly trust is her newt sidekick. I did feel very sorry for her, but she’s also a very brave, very clever (she knows all about engines etc.) character, so she seems to handle the situation remarkably well, even if she could have benefited from taking just a minute to see what she could do without running all the way to Australia alone.
I enjoyed the sense of mystery, with myths and legends at the heart of the story. I enjoyed the sense of closure Wendington finally got by the end.
Wendington Jones and the Missing Tree is for those who love the Enola Holmes series/films or a bit of Agatha Christie.
With a huge cast of characters, kind of in a locked room (it’s a ship in the middle of the ocean on the way to Australia), you can’t trust anyone, and you second guess every interaction.
Wendington is experiencing a huge grief (loss of her mother) and all she really needs is a friend, and she struggles to find this. The only one she can truly trust is her newt sidekick. I did feel very sorry for her, but she’s also a very brave, very clever (she knows all about engines etc.) character, so she seems to handle the situation remarkably well, even if she could have benefited from taking just a minute to see what she could do without running all the way to Australia alone.
I enjoyed the sense of mystery, with myths and legends at the heart of the story. I enjoyed the sense of closure Wendington finally got by the end.
April 17, 2023
An exciting, intrepid and bold character who bravely follows her mother's footsteps across the world alone! This story took me on an exhilarating ride from the beginning with twists and turns, a wealth of characters you don't know if you can trust, and dangers round every corner. I loved it and would highly recommend to older KS2 readers and above!
**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **
**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **
April 21, 2023
A wonderful feel good book. Wendington faces adventure, peril and excitement on the high seas and in the Australian outback. It is sad in places but deals with loss in a sympathetic and understanding way. The twists and turns had me wondering who the bad guys really were all the way through. I would like to read more by this author.
February 24, 2024
Really enjoyed this book. A fun adventure story with a timelessness to it. Larger than life characters, lots of twists and action, plus some touching moments reflecting on grief that feel very real and beautifully written
March 16, 2024
As someone who personally knows Dan and was the first person to read the first copy as his god daughter I love this books as I’ve had it with me through many years of my childhood, I love this book and can’t wait for the next one to come out
July 14, 2024
The most fun you can have in the 1920s.
All the wit, humour and sass of Indiana Jones with the best young female protagonist. A thrilling ride, beautifully written. Will delight all adventurers (and newts).
All the wit, humour and sass of Indiana Jones with the best young female protagonist. A thrilling ride, beautifully written. Will delight all adventurers (and newts).
July 13, 2023
Very enjoyable adventure story!
August 5, 2023
An exciting adventure across the world to discover the Tree of Life. This was one of my favourite books so far this year. It was very easy to get into and the writing flowed really well.
I kept forgetting that Wendington is supposed to be 15, it reads more like middle grade which I actually prefer.
Wendington is multi-talented but she's mostly brave and tenacious. I loved how she overcame her fears and set off on such a long voyage, all for the sake of her mother. The book had lots of witty comebacks and many surprises.
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.co...
I kept forgetting that Wendington is supposed to be 15, it reads more like middle grade which I actually prefer.
Wendington is multi-talented but she's mostly brave and tenacious. I loved how she overcame her fears and set off on such a long voyage, all for the sake of her mother. The book had lots of witty comebacks and many surprises.
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.co...
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews