If Harry Potter and Avatar the Last Airbender had a story together The Guardian Test (Legends of Lotus Island #1) by Christina Soontornvat would be the results. This is a simple and sweet magical coming of age story. We know the plot, but not how things will unfold exactly. It is not overly packed with surprises, but the aged aimed at reader will be wondering what happens next.
Kevin Hong will be the illustrator of this aged eight and up (solo read) novel, but probably five and up could be read to. My copy was an advanced read, and no images were included. If they are like the cover, the Avatar the Last Airbender feeling will continue, allowing things to be detailed just enough to support the story at that moment. I am assuming they will be black and white and only a handful per chapter. Plum, our heroine, and several characters will be of Asian backgrounds, and I am assuming a “girl power” theme will run throughout the series.
The story is easy enough: Plum is a farm girl going to the Guardian Academy to learn how to use magic to help others, including plants and animals. Plum has been raised by her grandparents and has a pet goat, Tansy, who likes eating and mischief. And Plum thinks worms are troublesome as they think they know everything. The cast of characters, Cherry, the best friend (they can make a fruit salad together is funny if a little dorky), Sam the spoiled (maybe) rich boy, a not-friend, a rich leader of the local city, and teachers of all genders, ages, and creatures (if you are a Guardian, you find your “spirit self” and are able to turn into such things as wolfhounds, silver leopards, gillybears and (spoiler) roans). Pansy must past the first test to become a novice, then will be allowed to train to be a Guardian. Of course, along the way, she deals with doubts, learning about people and herself, and the fact that a little dirt under the nails is a good thing (and sometimes it pays to listen to the worms).