"Many tales, legends and myths say the opal helps people by giving them insight and the ability to predict what's to come, what will be."
OPAL HEART Spiritual Adventures
$23.00
Opal Heart - $14.00 plus $9 postage
Many people know Australia, but they don’t know about Frazer Glazia, the land of spirit, dreams, and magic.
Originally written for her children in 2013, Donna’s light-hearted, mystical fairy tale takes you on a fun-filled and, at times, gripping spiritual adventure through the last city of fairies.
But Frazer Glazia is under threat by the slothal quolls, paper wasps and fresh-water crocodiles, allies of Queen Lightning who still roams deep in the valleys of Northern Queensland. The allies are plotting for the Queen’s return to rule their home. If the Queen returns, the existence of the fairy life throughout Frazer Glazia will be under threat.
The Opal Heart is the source of all the power and magic needed to safeguard the existence of the fairies in Frazer Glazia.
Join three little fairy children on their quest to move the Opal Heart to its new home. With the help of their elders, spirits, guides, and goanna and doppelganger friends, the children learn about their native land and its animals and legends, as well as practical tips in dealing with bullies, and how to look after each other in a crisis.
Discover the myths, legends and hidden secrets of life in the Aussie bush as Tahzia, Bosco and Holly take you on a wild ride as they unite in their efforts to protect their home.
With these three around, there’s never a dull moment!
(Paper Back)
book review by Mihir Shah
The classic theme of good versus evil takes form in an enchanting, unknown area of Australia, Frazer Glazia. Revolving around the world of fairies, Young demonstrates the importance of being responsible with power and teaches readers how to respond to bullies. Children of the fairy queen, Queen Frazer Glazia, Holly, Tahzia, and Bosco find their peaceful lives interrupted by Holly's seven-year-old doppelganger, as well as an onslaught of quolls, crocodiles, paper wasps, and other remnants of Queen Lightning supporters. At its core, Frazer Glazia is purely entertaining and educational; the author describes the siblings' adventure to Snapper Island through enriching facts about Australia's animals.
Mesmerizing descriptions of "bubbling creeks" and the "light splashing of the waterfalls," help the reader both visualize and become one with the land of fairies. Along with the faithful lizard, Izzy and the doppelganger Maggie, the three fairy siblings are entrusted with the infamous and omnipotent Opal Heart, a force that can lead to disastrous results if it falls into the wrong hands.
Young does a commendable job of giving younger children a taste of fantasy along the lines of Harry Potter, without the complex plot twists and character arcs. In fact, the plot is as simple as it is alluring: Queen Lightning's dark forces are invading Frazer Glazia and Holly and company must rise to the challenge. While Young avoids the intensity and raging battles of Harry Potter, she uses the unique element of comic relief in the heat of battle to elicit humor from her elementary readers. For example, the main weapon of a dark fairy, Namorrodor, is the flying booger.
Opal Heart is an intriguing combination of riveting plot, strong characterization, and educational insight that young readers everywhere will relish.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review