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The Thickety

The Thickety 1

A Path Begins

by J. a. White
Hardback
Age range: 8 to 12 years old Publication Date: 06/05/2014
4/5 Rating 1 Review

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$24.99
The Thickety: A Path Begins is a spellbinding tale about a girl, the Thickety, and the power of magic. Fans of Neil Gaiman will love this thrilling new world.

When Kara Westfall was five years old, her mother was convicted of the worst of all crimes: witchcraft. Years later, Kara and her little brother, Taff, are still shunned by the people of their village, who believe that nothing is more evil than magic...except, perhaps, the mysterious forest that covers nearly the entire island. It has many names, this place. Sometimes it is called the Dark Wood, or Sordyr's Realm. But mostly it's called the Thickety.

The villagers live in fear of the Thickety and the terrible creatures that live there. But when an unusual bird lures Kara into the forbidden forest, she discovers a strange book with unspeakable powers. A book that might have belonged to her mother.

And that is just the beginning of the story.

Supports the Common Core State Standards
Publishers Weekly Best Book
IndieBound Indie Next List
Publishers Weekly Flying Start
Amazon's Big Spring Books
Washington Post Summer Book Club
ISBN:
9780062257246
9780062257246
Category:
General fiction (Children's / Teenage)
Age range:
8 to 12 years old
Format:
Hardback
Publication Date:
06-05-2014
Language:
English
Publisher:
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Country of origin:
United States
Pages:
496
Dimensions (mm):
189x154x38mm
Weight:
0.48kg
What I’m reading right now…  
I always read 2-3 books at a time, usually an adult book, a MG/YA book, and a book of short stories.  At this moment it’s THE CIRCLE by Dave Eggers (thought provoking), THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS by Claire Legrand (creepy and suspenseful), and THE MICROCOSMIC GOD, a collection of stories by Theodore Sturgeon (one of my all time favourite writers).

My favourite book growing up (why?)…
THE BLACK CAULDRON by Lloyd Alexander.   It’s the first book I remember reading literally cover-to-cover; I sat down one Saturday morning and did not leave my seat until I was finished.  I was about eight when I read it, and it had everything I wanted in a story: adventure, magic, mystery, a dash of romance, and a legitimately scary villain. A close second favourite book would be A WRINKLE IN TIME, which was the first book I read about children that did not seem like it was specifically written for children.  I felt very smart reading it.

My all time favourite book is (why?)…
Such a difficult question!  Ask me tomorrow and my answer might be different, but for today I’m going with SALEM’S LOT.   It was one of the first adult books I read when I was growing up and it gave me nightmares for years—which, oddly enough, I loved.  King’s greatest gift is his ability to make the supernatural seem all too feasible in everyday life, and each time I re-read the novel I learn something new about the craft of writing.

The book I would recommend everyone to read (why?)…
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is as close to a perfect book as has ever been written.  Reading it can only make you a better human being.

The book I wish I wrote…
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES by Ray Bradbury, because it’s such a brilliant depiction of the otherness of adulthood from a child’s perspective, with lyrical prose that begs to be read aloud.  Plus…greatest title ever (with props to Shakespeare, of course).

My guilty reading pleasure is
Paperback horror novels from the 1980’s—the cheesier the cover, the better.  Also: Anna Kendrick’s tweets.

The book on my bookshelf that I have never read…
There are an embarrassing number of books on my bookshelf that I have never read.  Actually, it’s gotten to the point where I seriously wonder if I will be able to finish them all before I die (which of course doesn’t stop me from purchasing more books). But I’m most humiliated that I have yet to read ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE, which I purchased over a decade ago.

The book that never should have been turned into a film…
The HARRY POTTER series. Not that I don’t love the movies — I think they’re wonderful! But as a teacher I’m now seeing a generation of students who have no interest in reading the books because they’ve already seen the films. And that’s a tragedy.

My book is…
 a snuggle-beneath-the covers, read-it-by-flashlight sort of story.

I’ll never forget…
The time I found a graveyard behind a toy store and Emily Dickinson was buried there.

My favourite place is…
wherever my wife and children are.

The most dangerous thing I have ever done is… 
Strangely enough: a horse and buggy ride!  Apparently I am incredibly allergic to horses.  This somehow escaped my notice until three years ago when, during said buggy ride, my face swelled up like a balloon and I found that I could barely breathe.  

The first time I…
tried to kiss a girl I completely missed her lips and smooched her chin instead.  

I regret… the answer to that last question.

I remember…
very little.  That’s why I write things down.

The one piece of advice I should have listened to but didn’t…
“Don’t put cheap hair gel in your hair or it will all fall out.”

I love…
when I see my sons reading when no one has told them they have to read.

I hate… 
millipedes. Forget cockroaches or spiders…there’s something about all those little legs that really freaks me out. They are so obviously mutant aliens from another dimension.  Is that not obvious to everyone?

I wish…
I had the time to watch GAME OF THRONES. I hear it’s pretty good and stuff.

I can’t say no to…
anyone. For anything. It’s an issue. I’m working on it.  

Yesterday, I…
ate expired yogurt, but it was only by one day.

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1 Review

This book is like the movie from a few years ago ‘The Village’ but for middle - teen readers. It is still interesting and relevant for older readers though, as I found myself really enjoying it!
When Kara’s mother was convicted of Witchcraft and killed her family is shunned from the village they live. When Kara wanders into the forbidden ‘Thickety’, a forest that surrounds the island, she finds a powerful book with special powers.
This is a great story about a young strong female, forced into situations where she must make decisions between good or bad. It is fast paced enough that it is difficult to get bored as you become absorbed into Kara’s world and what happens next!

Contains Spoilers No
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