The Weaver by Kai Strand: Review

Lovers of young adult literature get ready, this is one to add to your classroom library and personal collection.  I am thrilled to be able to share it with you and my thanks go out to the author for the opportunity to read and review it.

About the Novel:

In a town of word weavers, Mary suffers through her third year of Novice Word Weaving. Mary thinks her troubles are over when she meets a gnome-elf who grants her a wish. But instead of weaving a better story, she's weaving strange yarn charms to accompany her still pathetic tales.

Suggested age for readers: 9-12

About the Author:

Kai Strand writes middle grade and young adult fiction. She was born and raised in the mid-west, where she inherited a wholesome outlook on life. She lived in California long enough to find a husband and have four kids. Now they live in Central Oregon, which boasts the bluest sky you'll ever see and miles and miles of hiking trails to enjoy it from.

Kai has a Facebook page: Kai Strand, Author. But her favorite stall tactic from writing is answering email. If you have a question about her or her writing, email her at kaistrand (at) yahoo (dot) com. 

See an interview with Kai Strand HERE on Goodreads.

Visit Kai on the web at http://www.kaistrand.com/

My Thoughts:

Interestingly enough in a book with many beautiful and well-written words I cannot find the right ones to describe just how much I loved this book!  It is a delightful read and I am inspired by the story.

Perhaps the most beautiful part of this novel is the language and that would make sense being that it is a book about words and about storytelling.  Kai is magnificent in her writing about Mary and her journey into the world of word-weaving...I mean, her name is Mary Wordsmith, how appropriate and adorable is that?

The gnome and the elements of fantasy will capture a variety of young readers thirsty for the "other beings" that are inhabiting more and more literature.  The moral lesson will capture parents and teachers and Mary herself will inspire others to begin their storytelling adventure. 

Kai uses simple yet striking language in the book and it truly is the best element.  It just seems like she chooses just the right words to describe each element of the story and it truly captures the reader's imagination.

One of the highlights while reading was the quote at the beginning of each chapter that really were thought-provoking as if the reader was being lured into the chapter.

5 star rating on this novel, it is a keeper and one that I am adding to my classroom library and highly recommending to my students.  Thanks Kai!