A Hero for WondLa (Search for Wondla) [Hardcover]

Tony DiTerlizzi (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: May 8, 2012 | Age Range: 10 and up | Series: Search for Wondla (Book 2) | Lexile Measure: 690L (What's this?)

The highly anticipated new illustrated novel in the New York Times bestselling The Search for WondLa series.

Before the end of The Search for WondLa, Eva Nine had never seen another human, but after a human boy named Hailey rescues her along with her companions, she couldn’t be happier. Eva thinks she has everything she’s ever dreamed of, especially when Hailey brings her and her friends to the colony of New Attica, where humans of all shapes and sizes live in apparent peace and harmony.

     But all is not idyllic in New Attica, and Eva Nine soon realizes that something sinister is going on—and if she doesn’t stop it, it could mean the end of everything and everyone on planet Orbona. Three illustrations trigger a 3-D Augmented Reality flying game that mimics action in the novel.

     Featuring an abundance of lavish two-color illustrations and spot art throughout and introducing a host of remarkable characters that reinforce the importance of friendship, A Hero for WondLa has all the hallmarks of a classic book—of the future.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Inventive...should please fans of the first volume."--Kirkus Reviews

"Much of the characterization, plot, and copious illustrations are reminiscent of the Oz books." (VOYA)

"In this much-anticipated sequel to The Search for WondLa, Tony DiTerlizzi answers many of the lingering questions with futuristic world-building and confident storytelling...DiTerlizzi's masterful two-color illustrations in blue and black ramp up the tensions. The trilogy's end can't come soon enough."--Shelf Awareness

"This installment in the series is as well written as the first and will leave readers wanting to know what happens to all those fighting to save their world. With complete descriptions of scenery, creatures, flora, and cities, DiTerlizzi has created a world that is easy for readers to step into. A strong recommendation for anyone who has read the first volume and motivation for others to start the series."--School Library Journal

About the Author

Tony DiTerlizzi is the author of The Search for WondLa. He is also the co-creator and illustrator of the bestselling Spiderwick Chronicles and the author and illustrator of Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure as well as the Zena Sutherland Award–winning Ted. His brilliantly cinematic version of Mary Howitt’s classic The Spider and The Fly earned Tony his second Zena Sutherland Award and also received a Caldecott Honor. Tony’s art has also graced the covers of such well-known fantasy writers as Peter S. Beagle, J. R. R. Tolkien, Anne McCaffrey, and Greg Bear. His first chapter book, Kenny & the Dragon, debuted as a New York Times bestseller. He lives with his wife Angela and their daughter in Western Massachusetts and Jupiter, Florida. Visit Tony online at DiTerlizzi.com.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 8, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416983120
• ISBN-13: 978-1416983125
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,596 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

THE FANTASTIC WORLDS OF TONY DITERLIZZI

Dragons, space monsters, goblins and insects: the characters that inhabit storyteller Tony DiTerlizzi's world haven't changed since he was a kid growing up in South Florida.

Born in Los Angeles, California in 1969, DiTerlizzi is the oldest of three siblings raised in an artistically rich household. He started drawing at a very young age including a crayon mural of Winnie-the-Pooh on his freshly painted bedroom walls.

One of his first hand-made books was on his favorite subject; dinosaurs, and was done for a Boy Scout merit badge. Fascinated by nature's endless designs, Tony made another book, this time on insects, carefully drawn from his own collection.

In 1981, after seeing Jim Henson's "The Dark Crystal" and playing Dungeons & Dragons, the 12 year-old Tony spent the summer writing and illustrating an entire field guide on fantastic creatures. He would return to this premise many years later as the genesis for "The Spiderwick Chronicles".

By the time he graduated high school, DiTerlizzi had dreams of becoming a children's book creator. He attended several art schools including, Florida School of the Arts and the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, receiving his degree in graphic design in 1992.

After graduating, the 23 year-old DiTerlizzi began working freelance for TSR, publisher of Dungeons & Dragons - the game that had inspired him so much as a child. He illustrated many fantastical images of warriors, wizards and monsters over the next 6 years, and also contributed to the collectible card game Magic the Gathering.

A move to New York City in 1996 brought Tony to the center of the publishing world. At last, his dream of writing and illustrating outstanding imaginative books for children could be realized. And he did it at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

In 2000, his first picture book, "Jimmy Zangwow's Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure" debuted. Inspired by Windsor McKay's "Little Nemo in Slumberland" and Norman Rockwell, the story of a young space adventurer in search of his favorite snack garnered positive reviews. Kirkus compared Tony's work to that of David Wiesner and William Joyce. More importantly, children loved the book.

The next year, he followed up with "Ted", the story of a workaholic single parent trying to find time for his son and his mischievous imaginary friend. Once again, the book was well received, and it won several state awards including the University of Chicago's Zena Sutherland Book Award.

His third picture book, "The Spider and The Fly", was based on Mary Howitt's famous 1829 poem. Here, DiTerlizzi exhibited his love of insects and arachnids as he rendered Chaz Addams-esque paintings of the intrepid spider and the guileless fly. The result was a critically acclaimed, New York Times bestseller. It won a Caldecott Honor, an award for high artistic achievement in children's publishing, in 2003. Tony's career as a creator of children's books was on its way.

During a magazine interview on his work for Dungeons & Dragons, DiTerlizzi met up-and-coming writer Holly Black. A fellow fantasy and folklore lover, the two became fast friends and Tony showed her sketches he was working on for a field guide to fantastic creatures. Black began helping him, and the two created the chapter book series "The Spiderwick Chronicles".

Spiderwick followed the adventures of three New England children who unearth an old John James Audubon-styled field guide to fairies, trolls and goblins. No sooner do they find the tome, they then discover that all of its subjects are real and want the guide. "The Spiderwick Chronicles" were loved by children and adults alike, and was published in over 30 countries, selling over 7 million copies in the US alone.

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies released a live action adaptation of "The Spiderwick Chronicles" in 2008 starring Freddie Highmore, Mary Louise-Parker and Nick Nolte. The film was well received by critics and the public, remaining in the top 3 at the box office for a number of weeks.

In 2006, Tony took a break from Spiderwick, returning to the picture book format with his nonsense alphabet book, "G is For One Gzonk!" Next, he and Holly continued the Spiderwick saga in the new series, "Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles". The latest Spiderwick story arc followed a new set of kids dealing with giants, mermaids and nixies in the hot, humid tropics of South Florida.

DiTerlizzi's passion for crafting more chapter books for young imaginations continued with 2008's "Kenny and The Dragon". Inspired by "The Reluctant Dragon", it tells the story of a young, bookish rabbit who becomes friends with a happy-go-lucky drake. As the two become best friends, the king orders the town dragon-slayer to execute the beast - and it is up to the rabbit, Kenny, to stop him. The book became a New York Times bestseller the week of its release and was nominated for several state book awards.

He followed Kenny by teaming up with his wife, Angela, on a silly series of young picture books, "Adventure of Meno". Meno, the space elf, and his best friend (a jellyfish named Yamagoo) do not speak in correct grammar and go on ridiculous adventures where they are visited by a variety of guests such as David Hasselhoff and Eddie Vedder.

"Ang and I wanted to create a very young book that made you laugh." Tony explained. "There are plenty of soft and cute books for toddlers, but we wanted one that caused laughter with both the parent and the child, forging a love of fun books from the onset."

2010 marked a decade of creating books for children for Tony. "This is what I have always dreamed of doing," he says. "I keep waiting for my mom to wake me up and it has all just been one middle school-aged escapist dream."

DiTerlizzi celebrated by returning to aliens and spaceships with his futuristic fairy tale, "The Search for WondLa". The story follows a 12-year old girl, Eva Nine, who is raised underground by a robot. Eva discovers that she is the only human alive on an alien planet and begins searching for others like her. The illustrated novel debuted as a New York Times best-seller and was featured on the Today show. Once again, Tony is teaming up with Paramount Pictures to bring "The Search for WondLa" to the screen. A live-action feature film is already in development.

Tony works with his wife, Angela, and lives in Amherst, Massachusetts with their daughter.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating book May 10, 2012

By Tony Avk

Format:Hardcover

Another masterpiece from Tony Diterlizzi.
Thrilling plot and wonderful illustration, this is my favorite book now.
English is not my native language, but this book so interesting that I use it to improve my reading skills.
I'm looking forward the continue.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievably great! May 13, 2012

By DM Trout

Format:Hardcover

I was a definitely fan of the first book in this series, but A Hero for Wondla takes it to a whole new place. At one level, it's just a darn good read. There is also another level of subtext that speaks to profoundly important ideas of power, corruption, xenophobia, and self-empowerment. This level will be readily appreciated by the adult reader, but will also serve to start the younger reading thinking about issues that are as important to us today as they have ever been. Terrific work, Mr. DiTerlizzi!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Sequel May 8, 2012

By SciFiChick TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Eva Nine and Rovender have been found by a human boy named Hailey, the other human Eva has ever seen. When Hailey takes them to New Attica, a human colony, Eva thinks she's finally going home. But New Attica isn't the utopia that it pretends to be. Eva soon learns that strict rules are in place, and the ruler of New Attica is keeping many secrets from the rest of the humans. Secrets he will do anything to protect.

Following Eva Nine's adventures in The Search for WondLa, Eva has done a lot of maturing and has become a strong and confident young teenager. We come to find out that DiTerlizzi's imaginative, futuristic world called Orbona is actually Earth many years in the future. Orbona is going through a rebirth of life with fantastic creatures and plant life. The imaginations of children and adults alike will find inspiration in the brilliant story of WondLa.

All of the wonder and adventure is back with a new fast-paced, heart-warming story of friendship, bravery, and forgiveness. Full of mystery, suspense, humor, and drama along with original creatures and complex characters - this series is sure to become a young reader classic. I fell in love with several of the characters, was completely caught up in the story, and was constantly amazed by the creative setting. DiTerlizzi's numerous illustrations are once again incredibly beautiful and vivid - giving life to his imagination with the vibrant characters and alien landscapes. I highly recommend this science fiction/fairy tale-like series to readers of all ages. Don't' miss it.