The Wonder of Wildflowers

Gr 4-6–Staniszewki’s latest tween novel combines magical realism with current events in a gentle yet empowering story. Mila and her family have moved to Amberland, a country named after its magical natural resource, amber. As non-natives, they are not permitted to use this powerful liquid that fends off illnesses and enhances abilities. Navigating the fifth grade is hard enough but being an outsider makes everything worse. When a sudden nationwide amber shortage threatens the community, Mila’s family and other immigrants face harassment and even violence. Mila is relying on her citizenship paperwork to come through, but will that be enough to be accepted in her class as an equal? The story rings true in how it approaches the “us vs them” mentality of extreme nationalism. Although some allegories are pretty on-the-nose, Mila navigates desperately wanting to be “normal” like a 10-year-old would. In a nation currently divided by different messages regarding immigration, Staniszewski (an immigrant herself) does a great job at portraying a vulnerable character who finds her strength and eventually faces her tormentors. Readers will feel proud of Mila for speaking up and standing up for what’s right.