Anyone who loves to read would find it hard to live in a world without stories. Follow teenage boy Ankido as he tries to stop words from disappearing in the imaginary world of Mesopo, the middle grade fantasy written by Eva Dietrich, founder and director of Aladdin Books. Learn more about this unique book and enter to win a fun prize pack!
My Review
Mesopo is a fast-paced and action-packed story that would appeal to any lover of adventure, fantasy and mystery. Like his grandma Habubti, Ankido has got a talent for words. He is especially good at discovering new words, even in his dreams. After his dad goes missing during an archaeological mission in Iraq, Habubti has to leave Ankido in the care of his uncle and aunt in order to search for her son all by herself. Plotting to take over the Gulzar Estate, to which Ankido is the only lawful heir, his greedy, malicious and merciless aunt sends him away to a boarding school. Ankido falls asleep on the way, but wakes up to find himself in the strange, magical land of Mesopo, with vast stretches of sand in sight.
As a world built with words, Mesopo is in danger of losing all its words and stories to the word thief. Ankido has to use his special gift wisely to save Mesopo from demons, dragons and other mythical creatures, and ultimately the lives of his father and grandmother. Will he succeed?
The skillful storytelling of the book manifests that the author is a master of words herself. Ankido's challenging adventure is brought to life with intriguingly detailed descriptions, unexpected twists and turns, and vigorous imagination. The characters, on both the good and evil sides, are well developed through their thoughts, behavior, and interaction with one another. The few full-color illustrations in the book provide helpful visuals of the cultural elements that are ancient and exotic.
The book clearly demonstrates the power of words, and the importance of reading and writing. It also teaches about courage, responsibility, friendship, sacrifice, and self-control, more specifically anger management, all of which are useful life lessons for teenagers on their way to maturity and adulthood. Besides, Mesopo opens the door to the Middle Eastern civilization for those who are interested in learning more about it. It's an enjoyable and smooth read for middle graders and beyond.
About the Book:
Written by Eva Dietrich
Illustrated by Ingrid Kallick
Ages 9+ | 338 pages
Publisher: Independently published | ISBN-13: 978-1731518217
Twelve-year-old Ankido is on a quest to save his missing father through the magical realm of Mesopo.
Mesopo is the land where all fantasy originates, a land whose words and language are in peril. Can Ankido save his father and restore all these words in time?
It was a red velvet box, the size of a school book. Ankido lifted the lid, revealing an old-fashioned quill made out of a reed. It smelled remote and otherworldly. Ancient. And for a reason he couldn’t explain, everything felt all right for a moment.
He thought he caught a sound flowing out of the quill, a word maybe. He wasn’t sure and he shook his head. This was ridiculous. No, he surely must have been mistaken. But there! There was the sound again. This time Ankido was sure of it.
“Mesopo” … whispered in a way that slipped around the room like the warm breeze of the desert.
Order your copy: Amazon | Bookshop
About the Author
Eva Dietrich is the author of The Great Rainbow Hug (Le gros câlin arc-en-ciel, from Samir Editeur, 2011), recognized by La Revue Des Livres Pour Enfants in 2011 as their annual selection. Eva holds Masters’ Degrees in Children’s Literature from the University of Surrey, London, and Creative Writing from the Metropolitan University of Manchester, UK, and is the founder and director of Aladdin Books. She is equal parts Spanish and German, and currently resides in Madrid with her three kids, three dogs, two cats, three rabbits, and lots of hens.
For more information, visit www.aladdin-books.com
One lucky grand prize winner will receive a Mesopo Prize Pack!
It includes:
- A paperback copy of Mesopo
- A digital copy of Mesopo
- A Feather Dip Quill Pen Writing Ink Set
Two additional winners will each receive their choice of a paperback copy of Mesopo or a digital copy of Mesopo!
Giveaway ends 4/30. Open to US 13+ only. Please enter below and good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveawayDisclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with The Children's Book Review and Eva Dietrich. All views and opinions expressed are my own. icefairy's Treasure Chest is not responsible for winner selection or prize fulfillment.
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