Beyond the Birch + Giveaway
Long ago, faeries were banished from the land after a legendary battle. So long ago that many wonder if faeries really exist or if the battle was just a tall tale. But one mysterious night, Macy’s mother is attacked, and ever since, unusual things start happening. Missing items, changing moods, and most strange of all, the family’s sheep, Slip, takes an unnerving interest in Macy.
This feeling was deeper than her usual love and concern for animals--she [Macy] knew Slip was acting strangely for a reason. She just needed to figure out why.
Her mother is suddenly determined to get rid of the sheep, and Macy suspects that the reason may be sinister. When Macy meets a boy her age, the aloof and sarcastic Jay, they embark on a journey to discover the truth and save her mother. In this twist on The Wonderful Birch, you won’t find kings, queens, or evil stepmothers. Instead, you’ll find two courageous pre-teens from the outskirts, ready to defend Odele from the magical forces that threaten it.
Author Torina Kingsley masterfully creates a world where things aren’t always as they seem. Beyond the Birch is an imaginative spin on an old folktale that reminds us all to hold our loved ones close and always believe in own our capabilities.
My Review
While, these books may be geared towards the younger readers, they can be enjoyed by the adult audience as well. What I love the most about Torina is that she creates magical twists on forklore stories. For example, this one is based on The Wonderful Birch, a Finnish/Russian forklore tale.
I instantly liked Macy. She has a warm personality and it showed when she and Jay bonded quickly. Jay had no choice but to open up. These two make a good pair. Which was good as they needed to work together if they were going to defend their hometown from the fairies. Come join in for a book that is sure to delight all readers on this magical reading journey filled with friendship, mayhem, and intrigue.
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Meet the Author: Torina Kingsley
Torina Kingsley has always dreamed of becoming a published writer. By the time high school came around, her mind was swirling with tales ready to be told. She finds inspiration for her stories from viewing things from a different perspective, including her most recent book The King's Decree, a chapter book that is a spin on the well-known Russian folktale, The Princess Who Never Laughed.
Kingsley believes that a great story needs to be relatable and completely captivating, that it needs to drop the reader into a whole new world. She hopes that her young readers are made to think by her stories. For instance, Kingsley has seen that, although very few children's books reflect characters afflicted with depression and anxiety, it's something that kids and teens deal with every day, and she wanted to share that in her story. It is also important to Kingsley that characters are diverse characters who can fall in love with anyone, not just those who one might expect. As an author of Hispanic heritage, representing a diverse audience in her books is meaningful to her.
When she isn't writing thought-provoking and socially conscious young adult stories, Kingsley teaches music and loves working with her students. She lives with her husband and two rescue dogs in the Chicago area where she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
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