The Hole in the Sky [Hardcover]

Barbara A. Mahler (Author), Katherine Navarrette (Illustrator), Joan Swan (Illustrator)

Book Description

The Hole in the Sky is a fantasy novel about the journey through loss and the choice we make to harden our hearts or open again to greater kindness and compassion. It targets ages 8-12 with strong crossover appeal for adults.

Still struggling with anger and grief two years after her mother's death, thirteen-year-old Kaela Neuleaf wishes for some magic in her life. That very evening the answer to her heart's longing arrives in the form of a tiny being who whisks Kaela and her cousin Shawn through the hole in the sky to Muratenland, a beautiful land ensnared in a terrible curse.

Kaela and Shawn are brought before the King and Queen and hear of an ancient prophecy foretelling of Kaelaís arrival. Kaela is the one that can break the curse, but she has only two days to rescue the King and Queenís kidnapped baby from an evil warlord who is bent on revenge against the people of Muratenland.

On her journey Kaela finds beauty and adventure, a bevy of strange and magical friends ... and deadly enemies. Kaela must face her deepest fears and embrace her hidden strengths, but to finally break the curse she will have to choose between hardening to life or opening to greater kindness and compassion for all beings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I read this book from cover to cover in the span of a few hours. I felt like I was cheating myself of Kaela and her new extraordinary and supernatural friends whenever I put it down to eat. This book doesn t contain an extraneous word or a boring scene. The story flows from page to page like a beautiful clear stream. In the end, I still craved for more of Kaela Neuleaf and her cousin Shawn. --Gema Mora, Radical Parenting

The presentation of the book from its beautiful cover to the map to the book mark ribbons would be a disappointment if the author, Barbara A. Mahler, had not written a story to warrant such an amazing presentation….The book made me wish I had a young daughter and we could read it together. --Julie Marie Totsch, Blogcritics

I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of The Hole in the Sky by Barbara A. Mahler. … I read this story and couldn't put it down! I finished it in a few night reading it before bed. Much like absolute favorite young adult books, the Twilight Saga books, The Hole in the Sky is for teens, but could certainly be read by a young adult or adult even, and you'd love it just as much! I would absolutely recommend this wonderful book for the upcoming holidays. --Mary512, 512KIDZ

About the Author

Barbara A. Mahler was amazed when the wizzen Netri showed up in her life. Night after night he woke her up and told her stories about a land on the other side of the hole in the sky. She wrote down his tales and the result is her first full-length novel. In addition to writing Barbara practices Traditional Oriental Medicine. She divides her time between her homes in Boulder, Colorado and Malibu, California.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Sea Turtle Publishing; 1 edition (October 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981676405
• ISBN-13: 978-0981676401
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,966,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Mahler has a passion for healing and practices Traditional Oriental Medicine, working extensively with cancer patients and chronic illness. She co-founded Circle Health Center in 1987, and in 1992, started her private practice using a combination of traditional oriental medicine and nutrition.

Mahler's novel, The Hole in the Sky, is the first in the upcoming trilogy published by Sea Turtle Publishing about the fantastical journey of cousins Kaela and Shawn.

Mahler divides her time between her homes Boulder, Colo. and Malibu, Calif. and travels extensively. She grew up in Bloomington, Ind., Woods Hole, Mass., Sao Paulo, Brazil and Paris, France. Mahler attended Indiana University and where she majored in Fine Arts, studied pre-med at Santa Monica College and graduated with honors from Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine. She is a professional speaker on creativity and natural healing.

The beauty of nature, animals and the human spirit serve as inspiration for Mahler's vivid storytelling style. She enjoys reading, swimming, walking and painting.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read, December 1, 2009

By 

Cheryl Koch (CO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hole in the Sky (Hardcover)

Many years ago in the land of Muraten, there lived a King and Queen. Queen Rhiana was desperate to know if she would have a baby. She wanted to ensure all would be well, so she went to visit a powerful seer by the name of Zella. Zella promises the Queen that she would give birth to a daughter. She tells the Queen that the best thing would be to marry her daughter off to their enemy of the Rugu tribe. Zella tricked the Queen and put a curse on the Murantens.

Present Day.

Thirteen year old, Kaela Neuleaf and her cousin Shawn were at home. Shawn had brought, Tiger, the cat in the house. Tiger wasn't supposed to be in the house as Kaela's father is allergic. Suddenly, Tiger takes off into Kaela's father's home office. Hidden in one of the drawers is an old diary. It belonged to Kaela's mother. Kaela misses her.

Later in Kaela's bedroom, Shawn and Kaela hear a knocking. It is coming from the closet. Inside the closet is a wizzen by the name of Netri. Netri tells Kaela that she is the chosen one. She must come with him through the hole in the sky to Murantenland. Netri says that King Arendore and Queen Skyla's child has been kidnapped by Gulig, leader of the Rugus. Kaela must go to Murantenland and rescue the child. Join Kaela and Shawn as they have the adventure of their lives.

The Hole in the Sky is a really fun, exciting, fantastical novel of merriment. I liked Kaela and Shawn. They made a good duo. I liked how the story was set up between what transpired with Queen Rhiana and Zella. As soon as Kaela and Shawn went through the hole in the sky, I got sucked in as well. The illustrations through out this book were very nice. They helped tell the story. I do have to admit that I did get lost a bit. There were so many characters that I tried but couldn't keep them straight. I only paid attention to the many characters and the secondary ones kind of got glossed over. Overall, this was the only issue I had with this book. I do hope to visit with Kaela, Shawn and the rest of the people of Murantenland again. Author, Barbara A. Mahler did a nice job with The Hole in the Sky.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fine read of fantasy that many younger readers will relish, November 9, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Hole in the Sky (Hardcover)

The legacy of one's mother is something that many daughters seek to understand. "The Hole in the Sky" is one Kaela Neuleaf grappling with what her own mother left behind. Finding herself in another world, she finds that her mother was far more than she let down and that she may have inherited a huge task. "The Hole in the Sky" is a fine read of fantasy that many younger readers will relish.

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of a book, November 2, 2009

By 

S. J. Stiffelman "Susan Stiffelman" (Malibu, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Hole in the Sky (Hardcover)

I read the second half of this book on an airplane trip when I had planned a nice nap; I couldn't put it down! Barbara Mahler has woven a beautiful tale that pulls you in and keeps you engaged. It's an inspiring story that recognizes the real challenges kids face, while helping them feel empowered to face their difficulties head on. A wonderful read for tweens and young teens!