Runner Up San Francisco Book Festival - Best Science Fiction
Paris Book Festival Honorable Mention
Los Angeles Book Festival Award - Honorable Mention Best Science Fiction
New England Book Festival Honorable Mention - Best Children's Book
New York Book Festival Honorable Mention - Best Science Fiction Book
Hollywood Book Festival Honorable Mention - Best Science Fiction
Zoom Into Books Author
Wandala's world was made up of five continents made up of five very different cultures. They quarreled over everything, especially who was the best. There were terrible fights with ugly words between the groups. One day a massive earthquake shook the ground so violently that most of the planet broke apart and fell into the sea – leaving only one island: Centrailia. The survivors quickly rushed to the far corners: North, South, East, West and set up new civilizations. Wandala dreams of bringing her world back together and sets out on a quest to accomplish this impossible feat against great odds.
What People Say
What author would dare mix lofty themes of peace and brotherhood with such a cock-eyed, zany humor as to be found in this, The Adventurers of Wandala? Only West Virginia’s Danny Boyd, Boyd whose disturbing and dystopian graphic novels have seeded hope in discerning adults, and whose early films did much the same, here ventures into the world of children’s books with this brave and heart-felt fantasy whose hope in these dark times should be welcomed by us all.
—Marc Harshman, Poet Laureate of West Virginia
The Adventures of Wandala written by Daniel Boyd, illustrated by Hector Mexia, introduces a quietly confident, inquisitive girl. Young readers will admire her under-stated spunk as they thoroughly enjoy her adventure. Older readers may get an eerie, this-fiction-doesn’t-feel-too-far-off, vibe as they appreciate the tenacity and resolution of someone who learns to keep her head, but follow her heart.
—Book Review by JV Poore for Goodreads
jv poore –
Wandala is resigned in Centralia while everyone else exists in a comfortably-content ignorance. She isn’t ungrateful, or jealous; she simply seeks something…more. Her dreams display a bridge to everywhere: North, East, South and West.
So silly. Since the big Boom-Boom, citizens have happily convinced themselves that their home is truly the only place on the planet. They are the only people.
But. Super Eddie doesn’t doubt or dissuade Wandala and he was once a Wiseman. It only takes one (intelligent and thoughtful) person to agree with the potential of her plan. Wandala simply will not accept intentional isolation. Instead of wondering, she and her constant canine companion, Rodney, wander.
Explorations bring new experiences and emotions. Bitter cold to desert heat. Excitement upon meeting someone new. Confusion; each boy the pair encounters initially speaks with haughty authority, despite his overall lack of knowledge.
She remains steadfast in her goal and eventually creates a conversation; hope. Sadness when he concurs, yet refuses to join her. Still, Wandala will exhaust every option. Perhaps she will see her patience and perseverance pay off; but it may not be in the way she expects.
Wandala is every child with her open-acceptance, alongside curiosity and determination. Wise-cracking Rodney proves to be amazingly adaptable, in truly transformative ways, as he accompanies his human on her quest.
The Adventures of Wandala written by Daniel Boyd, illustrated by Hector Mexia Sanchez, introduces a quietly confident, inquisitive girl. Young readers will admire her under-stated spunk as they thoroughly enjoy her adventure. Older readers may get an eerie, this-fiction-doesn’t-feel-too-far-off, vibe as they appreciate the tenacity and resolution of someone who learns to keep her head, but follow her heart.