Forest of Wonders

From Newbery Medal-winning author Linda Sue Park, this is a captivating fantasy-adventure about a boy, a bat, and an amazing transformation. The first book in an enchanting trilogy, Forest of Wonders richly explores the links between magic and botany, family and duty, environment and home. Raffa Santana has always loved the mysterious Forest of Wonders. For a gifted young apothecary like him, every leaf could unleash a kind of magic. When an injured bat crashes into his life, Raffa invents a cure from a rare crimson vine that he finds deep in the Forest. His remedy saves the animal but also transforms it into something much more than an ordinary bat, with far-reaching consequences. Raffa’s experiments lead him away from home to the forbidding city of Gilden, where troubling discoveries make him question whether exciting botanical inventions—including his own—might actually threaten the very creatures of the Forest he wants to protect. As his creation reveals its astonishing secrets, Raffa must confront the true cost of his gift. Will his desire to heal do more harm than good? A Unique Magic System: Discover a world where apothecary is an art form, and every plant in the Forest of Wonders holds the potential for miracles or disaster. An Unforgettable Animal Friendship: When Raffa saves an injured bat with a powerful cure, he gains a friend unlike any other—one who can talk. A Coming of Age Adventure: Follow Raffa from his forest home to the bustling city of Gilden on a journey that tests his skills, his courage, and his conscience. Thought-Provoking Themes: Perfect for young readers who love adventure with depth, this story explores responsibility, the consequences of invention, and protecting the natural world.