Gaia Girls: Enter The Earth (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Ann Hameister (Illustrator)
Key Phrases: pinky toe, Gaia Girls Enter the Earth, Lee Welles, Harmony Farms (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Billed as “fiction with a mission,” this well-written supernatural adventure unabashedly seeks to convert

young readers to an ecologically green philosophy.

Ten-year-old Elizabeth lives on a thriving farm owned by her family since the 18th century.Remarkably attuned to nature, she learns why when she meets a talking otter that claims to be Gaia, the spirit of the Earth. Elizabeth has been chosen as one of four girls to receive powers that will enable her to fight to save Earth from the ravages of humans. She learns how to travel through trees, listen to the voices in the earth and even willfully move the earth. Her battle becomes personal as a corporation begins to buy up the whole area to build a massive and destructive pig farm. When her parents are unable to fight City Hall, Elizabeth realizes that she must use her new powers to save her home.
The author’s easily accessible style fits her target audience well, creating sympathy for the protagonist by portraying common friendship difficulties experienced by young girls. Suspense builds as Elizabeth’s parents fail in their fight, and Elizabeth battles the forces of bureaucracy.
Welles deftly handles the increasing tension while delivering her consistent and persuasive message, presenting an interesting, exciting story.

Includes a CD, as well as a puzzle within the chapter illustrations to further engage readers. We eagerly await the next installment in this planned series. (Fiction 9-13)" - Kirkus Reviews

Review

"Following in the vein of Nancy Drew, the Babysitters Club, and, dare I say it, Harry Potter, the Gaia Girls series is the next group to offer heroes battling modern day villains for the kid with an eco-conscience. Enter the Earth is a great read."

–Treehugger.com

"Written by summer camp nature director and wellness expert Lee Welles presents Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth, the first novel of the Gaia Girls Book Series. A young girl, Elizabeth Angier, is shocked when the powerful Harmony Farms Corporation moves in and absorbs family farms like those of her parents and neighbors. As the repercussions of the gigantic factory farm loom closer, Elizabeth unexpectedly encounters the mysterious Gaia, the living entity of the Earth itself. Elizabeth receives a gift of Gaia's power, and strange things begin to happen around and through her. But with these amazing new powers come heavy responsibility, and the challenge of taking on a whole corporation and its profit-fueled pork production that befouls air, land and water. Though written for young adults, Gaia Girls is an engaging parable of taking responsibility for one's place on the Earth for all ages." -Midwest Book Review

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: Daisyworld Press (September 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933609001
• ISBN-13: 978-1933609003
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #96,598 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a joy!, August 27, 2006

By	L. Perry (Corning, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a former English teacher and current staff developer, I am always excited when a new writer ventures into the difficult world of juvenille literature. Was I in for a treat. This was not just another new wannabe publishing her first novel. This is the real deal. What a joy to read!

I am the proud mother of a three year old Gaia Girl. She rescues worms from the sidewalk as soon as the rain ends, puts fallen flower petals back in the pots with their "mommies", and knows when the tree in our backyard is happy or sad by the conversations she and the tree have. More than once she's sobbed as I mowed over dandelions in our yard. Her heartfelt love of all things living is sincere. As I read the book, I experienced an odd mixture of emotions. I could imagine Elizabeth as she was a toddler and my daughter as a teenager. I'm watching a deep love much like Elizabeth's grow in my daughter and Lee Wells captured it perfectly. Her clever style of mixing fabulous fiction with an important message about protecting our Earth both entertains us and makes us think. I've already passed my copy on to a teenage friend who enjoyed it so much she can't part with it to return it. Guess I know who I'll be buying Book Two for!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary Book, August 30, 2006

By	Jennifer Swarts (Fort Worth, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The first thing that struck me when I received my book was the quality of construction. It's a beautiful hardback with dust cover and sensational illustrations. Not your typical book. It will survive many readings (which it will surely get), and will be passed to future generations.

The story is marvelous. Its a great book to read together with your children, and is interesting for both young and adult. Its great to have a book for kids with messages I am comfortable imparting. The worst part about this book is that it ends. I can't wait for the next one!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great representation of small farm life, August 18, 2006

By	Elizabeth A. Martin (Hector, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As an organic vegetable farmer I read a very much enjoyed Lee Welles' book Gaia Girls: Enter the Earth. It was great to read a book that was so entertaining and yet had such an important message about factory versus family farms encoded in a way that is understandable to young readers, but not preachy or boring. I found myself sneaking in a chapter here and there throughout the day, even during my busy planting season- a must read for any environmentally conscious family! This book is a great tool to teach kids about the value of family farms and the true cost of factory farming.