The World Behind the Door

May 1, 2023
Plant magic and majestic botanicals add fresh twists to debut author Thomson’s series kickoff, a novel tinged with Frances Hodgson Burnett vibes. Eleven-year-old Daisy Thistledown, who is of English and Persian descent, usually travels the world with her intrepid reporter mother, but she’s left at a London boarding school while her mom chases a dangerous assignment in Peru. When her mom is presumed dead after a plane crash, and the school Matron’s actions turn both cruel and suspicious, Daisy and kitten Napoleon flee for London’s Kew Gardens, where her mother bid her go if anything went wrong. There, Daisy—who’s always had a strange connection with plants—is stunned to find an entry to a botanical realm called Greenwild, cared for by magical Botanists. Discovering that her mother is one of many Greenwilders to go missing from the Amazon, Daisy seeks to find out what is behind the disappearances in the mundane world, called the Grayside. Though conveniently rendered circumstances sometimes detract from this bright conservationist fantasy, Daisy’s globe-trotting experiences grant her a mature worldview as she contends with a new magical reality, and a hidden-garden-set subplot proves affectionatly wrought. Lavish b&w illustrations by Paganelli and Baker portray characters, gardens, and botanical visuals. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Peter Knapp, Park and Fine Literary.