“A lush and mysterious fable, full of beauty, full of wonder.” - —Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Reach Me
“Lalani of the Distant Sea is a powerful and gripping story about one girl’s quest to save her island. With lyricism and elegance, Erin Entrada Kelly weaves a rich tale that reads like folklore, writing from the perspectives of animals, plants, and human beings. The end result is an expansive journey through nature and myth, anchored by Lalani, an unlikely hero whose greatest weapon is her simple and pure understanding of the world.” - Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil series
“With lyricism and elegance, Erin Entrada Kelly weaves a rich tale. Powerful and gripping.” - Soman Chainani, author of The School for Good and Evil series
“Kelly turns from the contemporary realistic settings of the Newbery–winning Hello, Universe and of You Go First to a tropical island–set fantasy world. . . . An excellent job of world-building.” - Horn Book (starred review)
“Lyrical.” - Wall Street Journal
“Lalani’s tale is a lyrical lullaby, a homage to Filipino folklore, and a skillfully made story that reminds us that even the ordinary can do extraordinary things.” - New York Times Book Review
“Unlikely but determined heroine Lalani is lovably loyal, kind-hearted, and optimistic even as she faces unspeakable dangers, and her relentless spirit makes her a worthy protagonist in this triumphant tale about fighting for the people one loves and staying true to oneself.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Newbery Medalist Kelly writes a heroic fantasy about making choices, going on a quest, and conquering evil. Scattered throughout the novel are short, beautifully illustrated second-person vignettes allowing readers to imagine they are the mythical creatures Lalani encounters . . . Fast-paced and full of wonder, this is a powerful, gripping must-read.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Inspired by Filipino folklore, Newbery Award̶winner Kelly has woven her narrative with a mythology that is rich and delicious. . . . Readers will be cheering for Lalani in her unlikely quest to save her family and friends, using only the power of her wits, courage, and empathy.” - Booklist (starred review)
“Beautifully rendered . . . A journey illustrating the importance of story and the power of faith and hope.”
- School Library Journal (starred review)
“Brimming with injustice, beauty, pain and wonder . . . A fluid, intentional novel grounded strongly in emotional reality and overflowing with the fantastic. Absolutely bewitching.” - Shelf Awareness (starred review)
“Fans of Lin’s Where the Mountain Meets the Moon will be enthralled.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books