The Lost Wonderland Diaries - by J Scott Savage (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Something monstrous has been found in the magic world of Wonderland and it wants to get out.

Lewis Carroll created a curious and fantastical world in his classic book Alice in Wonderland, but he secretly recorded the true story of his actual travels to Wonderland in four journals which have been lost to the world...until now.

Celia and Tyrus discover the legendary Lost Diaries of Wonderland and fall into a portal that pulls them into the same fantasy world as the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter. However, Wonderland has vastly changed. A darkness has settled over the land, and some creatures and characters that Tyrus remembers from the book have been transformed into angry monsters.

Celia and Tyrus make their way through this unpredictable and dangerous land, helped by familiar friends including the Cheshire Cat and a new character, Sylvan, a young rabbit. Together, they desperately work to solve puzzles and riddles, looking for a way out of Wonderland. But the danger increases when the Queen of Hearts begins hunting them. Believing the two young visitors hold the key to opening multiple portals to multiple worlds, she will stop at nothing to capture them.

It's up to Celia and Tyrus to save Wonderland and the real world. It's a race against time before they are trapped in Wonderland forever.

Review Quotes

"Whimsical. An amazingly fun world. All of the characters are intriguing. A fun read for any age."-- "Compass Book Ratings"

"A whimsical adventure packed with clever puzzles and plenty of heart. Whether you're already a fan of Wonderland, or new to Lewis Carroll's world, you'll be so glad you fell down this rabbit hole!"
--Shannon Messenger, NYT bestselling author

"It's very clear that Scott not only loves the [Wonderland] books, but he GETS them. He gets Lewis Carroll/Charles Dodgson. His love of wordplay, which is so often missing from sequels and interpretations! The math! The names! The puns! What a delight! This is both an action-adventure and a wonderful exploration of Wonderland, and written with such sensitivity, too, toward the new main characters and the original characters!"

--Jessica Day George, NYT bestselling author

"Savage (the Mysteries of Cove series) packs this loving homage to Carroll's work with riddles, puns, ciphers, and more, challenging his intrepid heroes at every turn, even as they learn to combine their strengths to overcome their weaknesses. Playing with typography to further embrace its source material's gleeful absurdity, this adventure captures the Wonderland spirit while updating it for a new era." -- "Publishers Weekly"

"Savage pays homage to Carroll's world with imagination as well as a notable love for math and literature while adding his own ingenious twists to the original. Both Celia and Tyrus struggle with bullying back home, and Celia's dyslexia is a constant source of frustration when other kids underestimate her intelligence, and the book ultimately offers a message of empowerment and self-love. A fun and clever return to Wonderland."-- "Kirkus"

"This novel succeeds at highlighting the ways in which different talents and interests are beneficial, and how well differences can complement each other...Unique."-- "School Library Journal"

About the Author

J. Scott Savage is the author of the Mysteries of Cove and Farworld middle-grade fantasy series. He has published more than seventeen novels, visited more than 1,400 schools, and taught dozens of writing classes. He has four children, five grandchildren, and lives with his wife, Jennifer, in a windy valley of the Rocky Mountains.