What This Book Is About
Barclay Thorne has one goal in life: to become the best mushroom-foraging apprentice in the town of Dullshire and live a quiet, ordinary existence. In Dullshire, the Wilderness beyond the town border is feared, and anyone connected to the magical Beasts that inhabit it is banished forever. Rules are rules, and Barclay follows every single one of them.
Then everything goes wrong. A mishap in the woods accidentally bonds Barclay with a powerful, ancient Beast—a bond that cannot be undone. Overnight, Barclay goes from model citizen to outcast. Exiled from the only home he has ever known, he is forced into the Wilderness to train as a Lore Keeper, a guardian of magical creatures, under the guidance of the legendary (and terrifying) Instructor Fauna Erhart.
Amanda Foody has created a richly imagined world where magic is wild and dangerous, where loyalty is earned rather than given, and where the boy who wanted nothing more than to follow the rules discovers that the most important thing he can do is break them. This is the first book in the Wilderlore series—and once your child finishes it, they will immediately want the next one.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
A perfect "gateway fantasy" for A2-B1 readers, especially those ready for something beyond Harry Potter. Three reasons why.
First, the themes of belonging and identity mirror the experience of students adapting to new school environments. Barclay is literally exiled from his community and must build a new life among strangers—a powerful metaphor for students who have moved countries, switched schools, or feel caught between cultures. International school students see themselves in Barclay's journey without the story ever feeling heavy-handed.
Second, at Lexile ~780L and 368 pages, this is a substantial read that builds genuine reading stamina. The series format—there are multiple books—encourages sustained reading habits. Once students are hooked, they keep going voluntarily, which is the single most effective way to improve English fluency.
Third, the worldbuilding introduces academic vocabulary naturally. Terms related to ecology, natural science, and environmental stewardship appear throughout the story. Students studying IB MYP Sciences will encounter concepts like ecosystems, symbiosis, and conservation wrapped in an adventure they can't put down.
Reading Level Guide
Too challenging at A1. Start with Magic Tree House or Wings of Fire for age-appropriate fantasy.
Perfect range. Strong A2 readers can handle it with support; B1 readers will fly through it.
Easy reading at B2. Try Howl’s Moving Castle for a more linguistically challenging fantasy.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.