For the child grappling with feelings of isolation and the weight of their responsibilities, this enchanting fantasy explores finding warmth and connection in unexpected places.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is feeling isolated by their responsibilities or is struggling with grief. It speaks directly to the child who feels older than their years, who carries a heavy emotional load and feels no one else understands. Whichwood tells the story of Laylee, the last mordad in a magical village, whose job is to wash the dead so their spirits don't linger. The overwhelming task is literally turning her body into wood. When two strangers arrive, she is forced to confront her loneliness and learn to accept help. This beautiful, melancholic fantasy uses magic to explore profound themes of grief, burnout, and the importance of connection, making it ideal for thoughtful readers aged 10 and up.
Some scenes involving ghosts and a magical, dying forest could be mildly spooky for sensitive readers.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with death and grief. Laylee's entire life revolves around handling dead bodies, which is a powerful, extended metaphor for processing sorrow and loss. The loss of her parents is a central trauma. The approach is fantastical and metaphorical, not religious. The resolution is hopeful, emphasizing that burdens, especially grief, are meant to be shared and that community is essential for healing.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for a sensitive, introspective child aged 10-13 who is grappling with feelings of being overwhelmed or alone in their struggles. It will resonate strongly with a child who has experienced loss, or one who feels like they have to be the 'responsible one' in their family or friend group and is struggling to ask for help.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for the central theme of death. While not gory, the descriptions of preparing bodies are constant. The key element to understand is the metaphor: Laylee turning to wood is a physical manifestation of burnout and unprocessed grief. Discussing this metaphor can help a child process the story's deeper meaning. The book can be read cold, but this context is helpful. A parent notices their child seems withdrawn, burdened, or expresses sentiments like "I have to do everything myself," or "Nobody gets it." The child might seem to be shouldering an emotional weight beyond their years, perhaps in response to a family illness, a death, or another significant stressor.
Age Experience
A 9 or 10-year-old will likely enjoy the enchanting, fairy-tale atmosphere, the magic, and the adventure of the plot. They will understand Laylee is sad and lonely. An 11 to 13-year-old will connect more deeply with the allegorical elements of burnout, depression, and the immense difficulty of asking for and accepting help. They will appreciate the nuanced exploration of emotional labor.
What Makes It Special
While many middle-grade books address grief, Whichwood's unique strength is its fantastical world-building that makes abstract emotional concepts tangible. The job of the mordad and the physical transformation Laylee undergoes provide a stunning, unforgettable metaphor for how grief and responsibility can consume a person, making the internal struggle visible and accessible.
Read plot summary
In the magical village of Whichwood, 13-year-old Laylee is the last mordad, a caretaker for the dead. Her sacred duty is to wash and prepare bodies so their souls can pass to the Otherwhere. The work is endless and the loneliness is immense, causing her body to slowly petrify. Her solitary existence is interrupted by the arrival of two human travelers, Alice and Oliver, who bring friendship and an offer of help. Laylee must learn to trust them and confront her deep-seated grief over her parents' deaths to save herself and her village.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Laylee's body turns to wood as a result of her sadness and overwork. If an emotion could change your body, what would it be and what change would it cause?
2
At first, Laylee refuses help from Alice and Oliver, even though she desperately needs it. Why do you think it is sometimes hard for people to accept help?
3
The villagers of Whichwood rely on Laylee for her important job, but they also fear her and keep their distance. How does this contradiction affect Laylee's feelings of loneliness?
4
Laylee believes she has to do her work alone to honor her mother's memory. Have you ever felt you had to do something a certain way because of what you thought someone else would want?
