Plum lives with her grandparents on their farm on a small island - until she receives a letter summoning her to Lotus Island to become a Guardian. After a month of training, Plum will either pass a test to become a Novice, or fail the test and return home. Plum isn't sure what she wants, but becomes convinced that being a guardian was her mother's dream for her, and she is determined to fulfill it.

Along the way she meets Cherry, a feisty friend; Hetty and Rella, from Nakhon Island; and standoffish Sam. As the potential guardians learn about Hand, Heart, and Breath, their test draws nearer, and Plum is unable to settle into the meditative state she needs - except when she's doing chores in the garden. Ultimately, it's Sam who helps Plum realize her transformation into a roan (Sam is a wulfhund; Cherry is a gillybear), just in time. Rella, who achieved her transformation via a forbidden shortcut, is sent home - but receives an offer of employment from Sam's mother, Lady Ubon.

This series opener is complete in itself, but readers will likely want to continue on to see what happens next!

See also: Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch by Julie Abe

Quotes

"There is no shortcut to becoming what you already are." (Master Sunback to Plum, 90)

"If you care for your people, you must care for the world they live in. Without the plants and animals of our islands, we humans will not last very long." (Master Sunback to Lady Ubon, 115) ( )

The young girl (Plum) has been chosen to go to a camp to be trained to be a "Guardian" to help protect nature with special magical skills if she can make the grade. You may be a hand, heart or breathe guardian each with unique skills. Each novice learns to shape shift into some kind of an animal also. It is an imaginative easy to read novel with engaging characters and no major traumas in the plot. Most sixth greaders can handle this one. ( )