While at face value this is a book about magic, in reality the focus is on immigration in an age of limited resources. It posits magic that is acquired via an external resource. Magic that enhances a person physically and mentally though it seems to inhibit creativity. Magic that has a deleterious effect when overused. Magic that is rationed and seems to be running out. It asks us to consider the question of who is deserving of resources. What is our obligation to provide aid? These are interesting and complex questions and tying them into a world of magic is certainly clever. It is a pretty surface exploration though. It asks big questions but answers them with the simplest and most obvious replies. A dying child is easy to sympathize with. The question, in reality, is far more complex.

This was a unique Middle Grade story, that was very interesting! I liked the discussions around Amber (the magic that everyone uses in the book). I also thought Mira was a good main character! If you think this book sounds interesting, then I would definitely recommend trying it! :)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

When I saw that this was a mid-grade book that tackled immigration, it immediately went on my must-read list.

The Wonder of Wildflowers is a beautiful, poignant, at times tragic story about a young girl who wants so desperately to fit in, in a country that seems like it will forever see her as “other”.

My heart broke over and over for Mira, and I swung so hard from wanting to cry to wanting to throw some people in a lake and hand them an encyclopedia set. Wait, I guess that’s not very fair, is it? The encyclopedias didn’t do anything. We’ll hand them a cinder block instead.

My Thoughts:

- There were so many moments in this book that were an emotional punch to the gut and sort of took my breath away. It was just so hard to read at times and elicited a very strong emotional response, whether it was sadness or anger or righteous indignation. Mostly, Mira just wants to be like everyone else. In this world, that means taking amber, which only citizens are allowed to do, and she’s convinced that it’ll make her better—a little more perfect, a little more like everyone else. Mira, like so many of us, is caught in this endless struggle of wanting to fit in, but always standing out, and trying to decide which one means the most to her. The part that hit me the hardest? Her conclusion that even her best would never be good enough and that she had to work twice as hard as the rest of the class to earn the same grade because of the amber. Just ooof.

- It was really easy to feel for and root for these characters, because they felt super realistic. Right down to the things they face, which are struggles that immigrants often face in this country. The microaggressions were the worst. All the characters had very compelling struggles, though, not just Mira, including her parents and her classmates. Yes, even the ones who were already on amber. I particularly related to Mira’s father, who resented losing everything, including his ability to practice medicine, and being treated like nothing in this new country. He fought so hard to try to instill traditional values in Mira, values that went against Amberland’s culture, that the man deserves a dang reward. And a hug. And maybe a cookie or two.

- The narrative has the opportunity to raise so many important discussion points. It’s the sort of book that would make a wonderful group read, because it’s so full of stuff and emotions that it needs some decompressing and working through. There’s a lot packed into not many pages, and things that would open up a wonderful discussion with middle grade readers. Like I said, this book is just full of so many good lessons that one may not necessarily think of, especially pertaining to immigrants. It’s a great jumping-off point to introduce young readers to concepts they may not have thought much about in an easy-to-comprehend fashion.

- This is a quick and easy read, one that was compelling and hard to put down. The book is very character driven, so don’t go in expecting a whirlwind plot or anything. Still, the struggles the characters faced were so relatable and compelling that I had absolutely no problem getting caught up in their lives.

Sticking Points:

- The allegory was a little on the nose and in your face, relying on the reader’s knowledge of the real world rather than constructing a well-thought-out fantasy one. Amberland is obviously America. But I couldn’t really tell you more about the world other than that. I loved the idea of the amber and the magic, but without fleshing out the world more, the allegory seems almost pointless, like this could have easily been set in the real world and it would’ve lost nothing. Okay, that’s not entirely true, since there were some things that definitely relied on the amber and magic plotline. But I felt like the world was a little too close to reality without distinguishing itself enough for the fantasy elements to really shine.

The Wonder of Wildflowers, by Anna Staniszewski, is timely and compelling. Mira's family has emigrated to Amberland, sacrificing much (her father's job) so that they can enjoy the benefits of using Amber, a magical substance enjoyed only by citizens of Amberland. Mira feels separate from her classmates as she awaits citizenship status and the right to use Amber. She especially does not want to be lumped in with Daniel, who is avoided and mocked by classmates because he is weaker and wears glasses. Mira just wants to fit in and try to feel equal to her peers. When she and her parents are granted citizenship at the same time that Amber rations are tightened, they begin to feel the resentment of citizens who want to keep the Amber for themselves, as quantities are dwindling.
While the action kept me reading eagerly, this book is truly about Mira's transformation and growth as she learns to accept herself and others, and finds the courage to stand up for what is right. I loved the social justice themes as well as the themes of friendship, family, bullying, immigration, and the concept of changing oneself to fit in or feel equal to others. There's so much to unpack and discuss with young readers. It would make a wonderful readaloud or book club choice!

I received an electronic ARC from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
This is a terrific social justice book that also needs to be a discussion book.
Mira's family has been in this country for five years. They are close to receiving citizenship so they will be able to receive the Amber along with every other citizen. They've come because her mother is a scientist studying Amber. Readers see the hardship as her mother is working in her field but her dad is not allowed to be the doctor he is and has to settle for part-time jobs. She works to be accepted at school and follow the crowd.
Contrasted against Mia is Daniel. He is another immigrant that doesn't worry about following the norms. As the story unfolds, readers see why. His younger brother is not a legal immigrant but was smuggled in to be with his aunt as he as a serious illness that Amber can cure.
This is all balanced against the very real scenario that the country is running out of Amber.
Readers see all types of POVs from characters and must do some serious thinking about what they believe.
Messner could have shared more details about what Amber is and how it works but has chosen to leave that to readers. The other worlds are also left to the readers to flesh out with only the basic information that this is the better place to be.

This book took me completely by surprise in the best way possible. I thought I was going to read a book about magic and had no idea it was going to be so relevant. Immigration is a topic so many are focused on but I find many people don't think about the actual immigrates. They think about the issue and the laws but don't see the people. This book forces you to think about the individual immigrates with a focus on children. I often say children can make even the complicated idea simple with their logic and I think this book proves that.

I could not put down Anna Staniszewski's new book, The Wonder of Wildflowers.

When I first picked up the book, The Wonder of Wildflowers, I had no intention of reading for long. I just wanted to get a little feel of this book to decide if I wanted to read it or not.

Apparently, I wanted to read it, because the rest of my night consisted of me reading this book cover-to-cover.

The Wonder of Wildflowers is a fantasy story that is packed full of parallelism to life in today's world. In this story, you will meet 10-year-old Mira. Mira and her family have just moved to her country because of her mother's job as a scientist. Like many immigrants, Mira and her parents are out to find a better life for their family. Starting over in a new country is hard, but Mira desperate wants to find a way to fit in with everyone around her.

Fitting into a new world is especially hard when magic is available for the citizens, but not anyone else. This liquid magic makes everyone strong, healthy, smart, and all-around perfect. Mira knows she has no chance at fitting in until she herself can share in the magic.

Unbeknownst to everyone in the community, the magic is dwindling, and if things don't change, it will be gone forever. Mira may never have a chance to experience life with the magic, but she is still determined to find any way to fit it.

The Wonder of Wildflowers is a powerful story about finding yourself, fitting in, and sticking up for others when things are wrong. I was entranced in the magic of the story and Anaa Staniszweski's ability to make the story also applies to our world today.

This is a lovely story of friendship and discrimination that is very poignant in today's political climate. The characters are well-developed and likable and the plot moves quickly, while being descriptive and engaging. The title is a little young for my library, so I probably won't purchase it, but I will recommend it far and wide. I think this is a very teachable book. I love this author and everything she comes up with!

Absolutely beautiful story about xenophobia, belonging, and immigration set in a fantasy world where one nation has sole access to dwindling supply of liquid magic. Child readers will learn about tolerance, character, and human values while adult readers will undoubtedly be reminded of the refugee crises currently occurring in the US and Europe and the ways in which nations decide who has a "right" to vital resources and who doesn't.