Lalani Of The Distant Sea
by Erin Entrada Kelly
"This is no such story."
"Sometimes, you are an ordinary child."
"Sometimes, you have to choose yourself."
This is the story of Lalani Sarita, a twelve-year-old girl who lives on the island of Sanlagita in the shadow of a vengeful mountain. When she makes a fateful wish that endangers her already-vulnerable village, she sets out across the distant sea in search of life's good fortunes. Grown men have died making the same journey. What hope does an ordinary girl have? Nothing. And yet she still set out and finally accomplished the journey that took so many lives. Inspired by Filipino folklore, Lalani of the Distant Sea introduces readers to a landscape of magical creatures, such as Bai-Vinca, the enormous bird woman; Ditasa Ulod, part woman, part eel; the mindoren, a race of creatures modeled after the water buffalo; and the whenbo -- trees that eat the souls of the dead.
I felt adventurous when I read this book. In fact, I would have been terrified that I will die dozens of times.
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