For the child coping with an absent parent or needing to find their inner strength, this story follows a brave girl's quest through a magical, perilous wilderness.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is coping with the absence of a parent or needs a model of resilience in the face of uncertainty. Dreamwood follows twelve-year-old Lucy, a determined girl who refuses to accept that her father is dead. She ventures into a mysterious and magical wilderness in the Pacific Northwest to find him, discovering her own courage and strength along the way. The story thoughtfully explores themes of grief, perseverance, and the complexities of family love. For ages 9-13, it's an ideal choice for a child who loves adventure and fantasy, but it also serves as a gentle vehicle for conversations about loss and finding your way forward when things don't go as planned.
Survival scenes in a magical wilderness include threatening creatures and environmental dangers.
Sensitive Topics
The core of the book is the ambiguous loss of a parent. It is handled directly, with Lucy actively processing her grief and hope. The resolution is not a simple reunion; it is hopeful in that Lucy finds answers and inner strength, but also realistic and bittersweet, acknowledging that loss changes a family forever. The approach is secular, focusing on emotional fortitude and the wonder of the natural world.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful 10 to 12-year-old who is dealing with feelings of powerlessness or navigating a significant family change. This reader appreciates fantasy and adventure but also connects with strong, quiet characters who must find their own voice and courage. Perfect for a child who needs to see that bravery isn't the absence of fear, but acting in spite of it.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. However, parents should be prepared for the nuanced ending. It does not provide a simple, happy reunion, which is a powerful lesson in resilience but may be difficult for children expecting a conventional fairytale outcome. It's a good opportunity to discuss how we can find strength even when we don't get the answers we wanted. A parent hears their child say, "I wish Dad/Mom would come back," long after a separation or death, or observes their child feeling helpless and unable to change a difficult family situation. The child seems stuck in magical thinking, wishing for an impossible return to the past.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will be captivated by the magical elements: the walking trees, the survival adventure, and the mystery. An older reader (11-13) will more deeply appreciate the emotional complexity of Lucy's journey, her internal conflicts, and the book's mature themes of accepting hard truths and forging one's own path.
What Makes It Special
Unlike epic fantasies, Dreamwood's quest is deeply personal and internal. The magic is rooted in a specific, tangible place (the Pacific Northwest), giving it a unique, 'American folklore' feel. Its primary differentiator is the emotionally realistic resolution, which prioritizes the protagonist's growth and resilience over a simplistic, happy-ever-after ending.
Read plot summary
Twelve-year-old Lucy Darrington's father, a scientist, has gone missing in the mysterious Dreamwood, a territory in the Pacific Northwest full of magical, semi-sentient trees called deodarns. While her stern aunt insists he is dead, Lucy believes he is alive and runs away to find him. Her quest forces her to navigate the dangerous, enchanted wilderness, evade adults with their own agendas for the forest, and uncover the truth about her father's research and his fate.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Lucy's Aunt Hornsby believes she is protecting Lucy by keeping her away from Dreamwood. Was she right to try and stop Lucy? Why do you think adults and kids sometimes have different ideas about what is 'safe'?
2
Pete seems helpful at first, but his motivations are complicated. When did you first start to suspect he wasn't telling Lucy the whole truth? How can you decide who to trust when you're on your own?
3
The deodarns in Dreamwood can be dangerous but are also a part of its natural world. Do you think Lucy was right to try and understand them instead of just fighting them? What does this say about facing our fears?
4
At the end of the book, Lucy doesn't find exactly what she hoped for, but she does find strength in herself. Do you think this was a happy ending? Why or why not?
