Title: THE GROUNDWORLD HEROES
Author: Adrian So
Publisher: Monarch Educational Services, 2024
Genre: Middle Grade Adventure Fiction
Audience Age: 8 to 12
Themes/Topics: Animals, human threat to wildlife habitat, overcoming difficulties
*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for a review.
Blurb: “An original voice and a fun, funny adventure underground.” ~ Adam Rex, NYT Bestselling Author of THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY
Opening Sentences:
There was never a bright day in Soiland, for it was thousands of bunny-hops below the humans’ feet. Dirt and rock walls served as a barrier between the furry citizens of this realm and the outside world.
Synopsis:
Despite Soiland being so many bunny-hops beneath the surface of the earth, soon its citizens—moles, badgers, hares, gophers, armadillos, meerkats and more—find their home and their very lives threatened by human invaders with excavation equipment. They must flee for their lives.
One young mole, Benjamin, has never managed to make it past the rank of Junior Digger. He does his best to help with digging the evacuation tunnel, but uncovers a dragonfly fossil which seems to have strange power. In the midst of all the chaos and confusion, Benjamin is instructed to take it to the fossil museum. In his attempt to do this, he gets left behind.
The book tells the hair-raising story of the animals’ scramble to safety, and Benjamin’s struggle to catch up with them. When they do find safe haven, it is already occupied by other animals, and they must prove their worthiness to join them. One harrowing adventure after another leads to the climax of the story—but who will prevail? The animals? Or the powerful humans who threaten them?
My thoughts:
Adrian So, at the age of fourteen, has written a gripping adventure story with animals at the forefront. Not only does his book provide a page-turner of a read, but it shows vividly the threat wildlife is under from humans.
As well as the suspense of the plotline, I particularly enjoyed Adrian’s wordplay and inventiveness. In Soiland, time is measured in mole-blinks, mole-ments, and badger-winces, distance is measured in bunny-hops, prisoners are held with (what else?) paw-cuffs. Adrian’s similes and metaphors are spot-on, using animal terms to paint word pictures and convey ideas.
How many of us adult writers would even think it possible to publish a book at the age of fourteen? Kudos to Adrian for doing so, and for doing such a good job of it!
Availability: Should be readily available after August 6, 2024—TODAY! Book release day! Search the title online for many sources.
For Further Enrichment:
Learn more about Adrian and his writing at this post from Pamela Kramer.
Gain more insight (and get some great writer advice) in this interview of Adrian in LitKidsMagazine.
Check out Adrian’s website here: https://adriansotheauthor.my.canva.site/
Follow him on X/Twitter here: https://x.com/Adrian62852188
Congratulations, Adrian, on your debut book!
