Spiderwick Chronicles coauthor DiTerlizzi introduces 12-year-old Eva Nine, who lives centuries in the future and is trying to discover whether she is the last human being on an alien world, in this series launch. After a hunter forces her out of Sanctuary--where she's been raised by a robot, Muthr--she finds a hostile world like nothing she has learned about or trained for. She makes friends, including a wanderer named Rovender and a telepathic "water horse" she calls Otto, but also finds unexpected enemies. While there is less imaginative variety than in the Spiderwick books, and the world does not seem as fully envisioned, there is still wonder aplenty in this tense, chase-filled journey to engage young readers, plus twists for adult fans of Twilight Zone–styled stories. The bond between Eva and her friends is well drawn, and Otto, happily, is more than just a human in alien form. DiTerlizzi's evocative, detailed pen illustrations (not all seen by PW), which have a retro Star Wars vibe, and interactive maps online, unlocked via Augmented Reality, contribute to a sense of adventure as Eva dives into the unknown. Ages 10–up. (Sept.)
The Search for WondLa (Search for WondLa Series #1)
Narrated by Teri Hatcher
Tony DiTerlizziUnabridged — 10 hours, 48 minutes
The Search for WondLa (Search for WondLa Series #1)
Narrated by Teri Hatcher
Tony DiTerlizziUnabridged — 10 hours, 48 minutes
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Overview
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tony DiTerlizzi's New York Times bestselling, richly illustrated The Search for Wondla series with this first installment of the modern classic space-age adventure featuring an all-new look.
When a marauder destroys the underground sanctuary that Eva Nine was raised in by the robot Muthr, the twelve-year-old girl is forced to flee aboveground. Eva Nine is searching for anyone else like her: She knows that other humans exist because of an item she treasures-a scrap of cardboard on which is depicted a young girl, an adult, and a robot, with the strange word, “WondLa.” Can she find where she belongs?
Editorial Reviews
I was knocked out by Tony DiTerlizzi's novel... everything is described so thoroughly and fully that I felt like I was there. I think Tony's extraordinary visual sense comes though here with words. Spiderwick was amazing; this goes so much further.”-- Joan Kindig, Associate Professor at James Madison University
* "The abundant illustrations, drawn in a flat, two-tone style, are lush and enhance readers’ understanding of this unique universe...DiTerlizzi is pushing the envelope in his latest work, nearly creating a new format that combines a traditional novel with a graphic novel and with the interactivity of the computer. Yet, beneath this impressive package lies a theme readers will easily relate to: the need to belong, to connect, to figure out one’s place in the world. The novel’s ending is a stunning shocker that will leave kids frantically awaiting the next installment.”—School Library Journal, starred review
"There is...wonder aplenty in this tense, chase-filled journey to engage young readers, plus twists for adult fans of Twilight Zone–styled stories. The bond between Eva and her friends is well drawn, and Otto, happily, is more than just a human in alien form. DiTerlizzi's evocative, detailed pen illustrations, which have a retro Star Wars vibe, and interactive maps online, unlocked via Augmented Reality, contribute to a sense of adventure as Eva dives into the unknown."—Publisher's Weekly
"Imaginative, accessible technologies combine with fanciful creatures to create perpetual wonder in this fast-moving narrative."—BCCB
"Reminiscent of Arthur C. Clarke."—New York Times Book Review
Gr 5–8—Twelve-year-old Eva Nine has spent her entire life raised by Muthr, a robot, in an underground compound on planet Orbona in the first book in Tony DiTerlizzi's dazzling fantasy series. When their Sanctuary is attacked by an evil hunter, Eva must venture above ground. On her search to find other humans, she meets a blue creature named Rovender. There are many perils in this strange land of trees that eat birds, giant water bears, and horrible sand snipers. With Rovender's aid, Eva Nine reunites with Muthr and communicates telepathically with a young water bear she rescues. This suspenseful fantasy ends on a very shocking note, leaving listeners wishing that the sequel was already available. This dazzling fantasy is superbly narrated by actress Teri Hatcher. She changes tone and timbre as she voices the many fantastical creatures and different languages, completely drawing listeners in with superb pacing. She completely draws in the listener with superb pacing. The book's artwork helps readers visualize the unique environment and can be accessed from the CDs with a computer and webcam. However, DiTerlizzi's writing is so visual and Hatcher is such an excellent narrator that listeners really don't need to consult the illustrations. Listeners will eagerly await the next installment.—B. Allison Gray, Santa Barbara Public Library System, CA
Gr 5–8—Twelve-year-old Eva Nine is being raised by Muthr, a pale blue robot who is loving and maternal (she speaks in the sweet, unflappable tones of a 1950s sit-com mom), in an underground home on the planet Orbona. When a marauder destroys her home, she leaves Sanctuary in a quest to find other humans like herself. Aboveground she finds a fantastic and frightening world populated by malevolent wandering trees, a giant beast who is pursuing her, nasty sand-snipers, and more. With the aid of Rovender, a lanky blue creature with backward-bending knees, and Otto, a giant water bear with whom she can communicate telepathically, Eva faces many dangers, including capture by a taxidermist who wants to skin her in order to create a living fossil for display. This first book in the series concludes with her arrival at her destination in the ancient city of ruins. The abundant illustrations, drawn in a flat, two-tone style, are lush and enhance readers' understanding of this unique universe. In addition, augmented reality is used in three places. By holding up the page from the book to a webcam, an interactive map appears on the screen. Readers can watch as the landscape where Eva Nine is traveling unfolds. DiTerlizzi is pushing the envelope in his latest work, nearly creating a new format that combines a traditional novel with a graphic novel and with the interactivity of the computer. Yet, beneath this impressive package lies a theme readers will easily relate to: the need to belong, to connect, to figure out one's place in the world. The novel's ending is a stunning shocker that will leave kids frantically awaiting the next installment.—Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
Outstanding. When a narrator can evoke empathy for a cast of unlikely characters, there’s something special happening. And something remarkable is taking place in DiTerlizzi’s story. Eva Nine, who was raised by a robot Muthr underground, suddenly faces a quest to find more of her kind above ground in a hostile world. Teri Hatcher brings to life the myriad of distinctive creatures who journey with Eva. Listeners will relish the ethereal voice of Otto the Water Bear, the warmly protective Rovender, and the flat-voiced Muthr. As narrator, Hatcher is elegant in her elocution, and she paces the story carefully—inviting the listener to assimilate the rich details of character and action. While this production stands alone, the illustrations and interactive opportunities on the book’s Web site create a twenty-first-century reading package. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine
What's the difference between an absorbing adventure and a disappointing effort? Since it's in the mind of the reader, some may welcome DiTerlizzi's latest with open arms. Others will be frustrated that awkward word choices, inconsistent voice, lengthy descriptions and a heavy-handed environmental agenda obscure the author's usually inventive imagination and squander the appeal of the frankly beautiful, carefully designed illustrations. All of the elements for a fascinating tale are here: the solitary child, Eva Nine, apparently the only human in the world; trusty companions (Eva's robot Muthr, Rovender Kitt, an alien blue creature who is utterly charming but decidedly adult in his concerns and back story, and Otto, an animal who communicates telepathically with Eva); a quest (to search for other signs of human life and discover the meaning of a mysterious scrap of paper); and, of course, a brutish villain, Besteel, who threatens them all with capture and death. Unfortunately, while the sprawling plot offers plenty of action, stilted language distances readers, the final reveal is utterly clichéd and the shameless cliffhanger is more likely to exasperate than entice. (Science fiction. 10-14)
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940170916412 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | 09/21/2010 |
| Series: | Search for Wondla Series , #1 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
| Age Range: | 8 - 11 Years |
Read an Excerpt
Chapter 1: Alone
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