Review: Imaginative and A great MG Read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 25, 2013
The Grotto Under the Tree is a very sweet middle grade read about two friends who find themselves wrapped up in a fantasy. The plot has the feel of Narnia and Tolkien wrapped together with a world of magic, elves, and adventure for these two children. Sara and Sebastian are a funny pair, Sara is sporty and Sebastian is more intellectual so they make for a good friendship. One is always getting up to something and in this case leads to an adventure.The story begins with some background about the old Oak tree that stands in from of their school, when a few days later the tree is damaged the kids find a secret place underneath of it and with it magical creatures like elves and mermaids, but they also find evil. This evil affects Sebastian and they must go with an elf to save him.I found the plot fun and exciting and very easy to read. The story was paced well and the chapters were short and make for some good breaks in the plotline. I very much enjoyed the adventure and think that this will be a wonderful book for young readers. It will keep their attention, make them ask questions, and is a magical journey.