Read With Conina

“If you are meant to be a guardian, then your guardian form is already inside you, waiting.”

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Soontornvat, Christina. Hong, Kevin. Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test. Scholastic, 2023. Gr. 3-6.

Young Plum normally spends her days gardening with her grandparents on their quaint island, talking to worms and plants.  One day an unexpected letter arrives, revealing that her grandfather applied for her to train as a guardian- and she was accepted. Guardians train to harvest their innate abilities to transform into magical creatures who protect the isles, and though Plum’s grandparents assure her she is special, she doesn’t believe them. The theme of insecurity is woven throughout, and Plum is a dynamic character who struggles to overcome self-conflict. As she and fourteen peers train on Lotus Island — a beautiful, Thai-inspired island filled with animals, botanicals, and mysterious ruins — Plum is the slowest to learn due to her overwhelming worries about satisfying others’ expectations. Being teased only magnifies her worries, as does her newfound drive to uncover and fulfill her late mothers’ dreams for her. “Why was it so hard to let my thoughts get out of my way?” (137). Plum’s struggles climax when she must take a test that will decide her fate. This book puts a twist on fantasy school stories, combining the genuine issues of environmentalism, social class, and identity with magical themes. The progressive plot structure and occasional foreshadowing keep the plot flowing at an ideal pace for middle grade readers. The Thai inspiration embedded throughout the book, expressed through imagery-rich prose and occasional manga-style art, evolve positively into self-growth when Plum finds the truth she was searching for: “If you are meant to be a guardian, then your guardian form is already inside you, waiting” (90). This book is well-suited for young fantasy enthusiasts who are beginning their own journeys of self-discovery and independence.