Book Review: Echo Mountain - Highly Recommend

Lauren Wolk is a marvelous writer. I loved Wolf Hollow and Beyond the Bright Sea. She deserves the title "Newbery Honor-winning author" and I will read anything she puts out. While unsure if I was up for a 356 page middle grade book, I should have figured Wolk would sweep me in right away.

Ellie is plucky and resilient. While her mother and sister long for the past life in town, before the Depression stripped her parents of their jobs and forced the family to move to the mountain, Ellie basks in the freedom and opportunity to learn fresh things. She has a brand new puppy and an anonymous friend in the woods who leaves her carved trinkets. All would be well for her there, if a tragic accident hadn't left her father in a coma. But even worse, her family blames her for the accident and resents her efforts to waken her father. Ellie feels sure the old hag who lives up the mountain can help. Ellie defies her mother and goes to the hag, but what she finds there only presents even further complications.

This book celebrates human resilience, friendship, and the power of possibility. The setting is part of the struggle. Readers will root for Ellie against every obstacle and cheer when she carves out her own path to healing. The writing sings and provides an interesting setting, a strong protagonist, overwhelming obstacles, and satisfying redemption. This would make an outstanding read-aloud. What a marvelous example of personal integrity and grit! Moreover, if you are looking for books to encourage girls to follow their goals and dreams, this is dynamite. I think it is my favorite of Wolk's books yet!