Cecilia Undergarment has been haunted by the forest of Northwood, which looms to the north beyond her balloon home, ever since she can remember. She never imagined she would land there, lost and alone, after rescuing a mistreated dog. Cunning royalty and beastly black lions rule Northwood, and those who dare to enter the mysterious forest never return. Can Cecilia escape before it's too late?

The story starts on a very whimsical footing, with our heroine living in the family's balloon shaped house, (since Father is the leading maker of balloons). I was a bit concerned that this was going to descend into twee preciousness. But not to worry, the balloon house, or rather its collapse, is what sets our heroine floating off to her various adventures. Once the plot is set in motion we, both literally and figuratively, come back down to earth.

And what a ripping yarn is spun. A dark forest, an abandoned castle, underground tunnels, secrets, companions, dangerous beasts, a quest to return home, a loyal dog sidekick, and much much more. And, we get a heroine worthy of such an adventure. Cecilia is smart, determined, polite, stubborn, resourceful and loyal. She is plucky and undaunted by danger or obstruction. She is a marvelous middle grade adventurer.

All of this is wrapped up very nicely in accomplished but restrained prose that is direct, for the younger reader, but peppered with sly asides and subtle observations for the amusement of older readers. The overall effect is engaging and rewarding and I can easily imagine a young reader taking Cecilia to heart.

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