The Battle for WondLa (The Search for WondLa)
In this conclusion to DiTerlizzi’s much-loved series, Eva Nine is on the run, branded a traitor and a spy. The humans and aliens who both populate the magnificently lush planet, home to upside-down birds and immense water bears, are now at odds, and Eva is the only one with the skills to reason with each species. Like Middle Earth and Oz, Orbona is packed with creatures and places with proper names in unfamiliar languages, and although there are a few stabs at exposition, readers will more fully appreciate the epic sweep of this complicated story if they read the books in order. Of particular interest is Eva’s development into a young woman of unwavering compassion and courage, even in the face of betrayal, loss, and injury. DiTerlizzi’s beautiful illustrations are worth the price of admission, as usual, and they do much to help the reader distinguish among the plethora of strange creatures. WondLa fans will be sad to see it all end, and, even with some uneven pacing, they’ll be satisfied with the result. Grades 5-8. --Paula  Willey