Into the Wild Magic
by Michelle Knudsen
Intermediate, Middle School    Candlewick    368 pp.
8/25    9781536227697    $18.99
e-book ed.  9781536244977    $18.99

Eleven-year-old Bevvy, a quiet sixth grader more comfortable with kittens and fantasy novels than with her peers, finds herself drawn to a mysterious new girl, Cat. After Cat provokes a confrontation at school and disappears, Bevvy is left bewildered—until Cat returns, pursued by shadowy forces. Fleeing through the woods, the girls leap through an opening in the air and into the kingdom of Lorelkey. The land is in chaos: the king is dead, and war looms between wielders of wild magic and a dangerous villain with dark powers. As Bevvy and Cat are reluctantly swept into the resistance, Bevvy discovers she has a gift that connects her to Lorelkey’s natural forces. She begins to understand why she was brought to Lorelkey—and what’s at stake. Knudsen successfully weaves elements of classic fantasy—portal travel, hidden royalty, a heroine who must grow into her unexpected destiny—with themes of friendship and bravery and an emphasis on moral complexity and emotional intelligence. Her world-building is immersive, and the story balances action and magic with deeply felt emotional stakes. Bevvy and Cat’s friendship is tested and strengthened through their adventures, and the novel’s ensemble of magical characters adds warmth and nuance to the plot. Recommended for readers who dream of other worlds—and wonder if they could be brave enough to face what lies within them.

From the September/October 2025 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.