The Lost Wonderland Diaries

As a fan of Lewis Carrol, curiosity drew me to this title. I recently read Alice in Wonderland with my high school daughter from a British literary standpoint, so it was fun to reenter the world of Wonderland with child like wonder. Scott Savage brings the world back to life in a fun and imaginative way. I loved all of his references to other great literature like A Wrinkle in Time, The Hobbit, and the Harry Potter books.

Two unlikely friends, Celia and Tyrus, stumble upon some lost diaries of Charles Dodgson, aka Lewis Carrol, and get transported to Wonderland, but things have changed. Just like the original Alice, this book is strange and can be dark at times. However, the light that shines through the beauty of Celia and Tyrus working together to save Wonderland surpasses it.

Scott Savage is a clever wordsmith and brings so much fun and whimsy to this tale. I can't wait to share it with my kids!

I received this book from Netgalley for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for letting me have the chance to read and review this ARC. This is an amazing and wonderful story written by J. Scott Savage. I've read and enjoyed a few of his other books and I love this one so much!
Also to note here, I didn't think it was possible because of how much I have always disliked, rather strongly, Alice in Wonderland for as long as I can remember, but I have found a version of an Alice in Wonderland story that I like. I enjoyed this story so much, I don't feel like I hate Alice in Wonderland as much now and there were so many great aspects to this story. I can't recommend this story enough. I wish I'd had these books when I was younger, but hey, at least I get to read them now and I can share them with my kids as well.
I learned quite a bit from this story about dyslexia and things that I didn't even realize so this was a good eye-opener to some things and a good story to give me a different perspective into Alice In Wonderland stories that I didn't know I needed.
This story starts with Celia, who's sitting at the library doing homework and playing Minecraft on her phone etc. while her mom, who is the librarian is working and after her Mom assigns her books for her daily reading, which she doesn't like because of her dyslexia issues, Celia notices a boy her age sneaking around in the library.
Celia decides to follow the boy to try to find out what he's doing and catches him messing with the library books and calls him out on it. The boy introduces himself, his name is Tyrus, and we find out along with Celia that he's helping to shelve the returned library books because he loves books and the library so much!
Celia and Tyrus return to the front desk area and start talking and find out they're both new to the area and will both be new to the school that starts soon there so they start talking to each other about being friends and getting to know one another.
As Celia and Tyrus are talking, Celia's mother comes over and asks who he is, they talk with her for a minute and Celia decides to ask her mother if they can help shelve the library books since Tyrus likes doing it so much and her Mom gets all excited and sends them off to shelve library books.
While Celia and Tyrus are shelving the library books, they hear someone calling for help and follow the voice and end up in the office in the back where there's a chest that they have to figure out a puzzle to open it and then they go through the chest and come out the other side, falling down or is it up into Wonderland, where the adventure and fun really begins.
As Celia and Tyrus find themselves in Wonderland and meet various characters and find themselves at the Mad Hatter's tea party, you get a taste of the wonderful whimsy that comes with Wonderland and the character's personalities and stories and such. There is good and bad, both, in Wonderland, of course, and they meet the Queen of Hearts at the castle and while Tyrus is terrified of her, Celia feels like they could be friends until the Queen asks for their help with the chest that Charles Dodgson left behind because he had said that whoever came after him would know how to open the chest and save Wonderland from the haunted monstrosity that is terrorizing everyone.
When Celia says she's not the Alice, that she doesn't know how to open the chest or help, the Queen seems to lose it and through them in the dungeon and then the King pardons them and sends them on their way to find the key to come back to open the chest. They are also traveling with a companion, Sylvan, a rabbit, who was sent to get Celia to help save Wonderland.
As they travel through Wonderland, meeting others, solving puzzles and figuring things out for themselves about everything going on, the haunted monstrosity and themselves, they learn all sorts of things, have lots of fun and grow while having their adventure through Wonderland.
They learn how logic and imagination together make things better and how the two solve problems better together than apart or alone. They learn how to embrace and love themselves and who they are and to not discount themselves or their unique talents. They help others as they go on their quest to find the key to open the chest to save Wonderland and in helping others, help themselves.
This is a wonderful, whimsical, magical tale of a lovely Wonderland with great characters and a lot of good morals, lessons and things to learn and share for yourself, your kids, your family or whoever. I love these kinds of uplifting, feel good, fantastic, magical tales that you can simply enjoy or you can glean a lot of info, morals, and lessons from it as well.
Also, one of the things I enjoy looking at myself as well as with my kids or others is the reading guide they put in the back of these books that help you discuss things and further learn, research, enjoy and expound on the topics in the book as well.
Make sure you put this one on your list, preorder it and get ready for a new favorite awesome book! You don't want to miss this one!

Celia and Tyrus are both different from other kids their age. When they discover four mysterious diaries belonging to Charles Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll, they learn that Wonderland is a real place. But the Wonderland they’ve been transported to is different than the one they have read about. Things are not well in Wonderland, and this pair must work together, each using their special gifts, to turn things around before it’s too late.

This is a fantastic fantasy for middle-graders or anyone who loves children’s fantasy. It has all the fun characters and lovely nonsense of Wonderland. I loved all the word and logic riddles. It takes full advantage of all the potential in Lewis Carroll’s writing in such an enjoyable, creative way. And apparently scholars really are missing four of his diaries!

Celia and Tyrus are relatable characters. Watching them grow through this journey was such a pleasure. There are some scary moments of peril, and it gets dark in some places. I felt that those made the message that much more poignant, however. And it’s such an important message. This book is going on the recommend list for all my kids and their friends.

The Lost Wonderland Diaries is a clever, fun, and daring adventure! I can't wait for more from this author!

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC!

So, while this is obviously a tribute to Alice in Wonderland, you don't have to have read it before you read this. There are some fantastic references, and much of what is in here is very true to what is going on in Alice in Wonderland, but this book stands as its own story.

I really liked both main characters- they felt believable with their own strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, and feelings. But, they also have things in common that help them relate to each other. I like that the difference and the similarities cause some conflict between them, but also allow them to strengthen each other.

Overall: this is a fast paced story with loads of quirkiness. Honors the original source, but also finds new ways to tell its own story, not just be a retelling of something else. Characters are likable, have realistic reactions to unrealistic settings (which is the point of fantastical fiction), and manage to grow throughout the story.

Definitely one I would recommend, and can't wait to see what happens in the future!

This book was received as an ARC from Shadow Mountain Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite books of all time and when I saw there was a book about Lewis Carroll's real diaries of wonderland I had to jump at the chance and read this book. Celia and Tyrus have found Lewis Carroll's lost diaries of wonderland and get transported in and realize that darkness has fallen over wonderland and it's now run by monsters. Now it's up to Celia and Tyrus to save wonderland and the real world in limited time or they will be trapped inside forever. My inner child was going crazy while reading this book and I know many of our library community will love it too.

We will consider adding this title to our JFiction collection at our library. This is why we give this book 5 stars.

#netgalley #thelostwonderlanddiaries

This book was full of adventure and fun! I loved it! The characters and the plot were amazing, this is a great read for young readers!

Loved it! I loved everything about it. The underrepresented characters, the whimsical, crazy Wonderland depiction and the fact that it kept making reference to the original work by Lewis Carroll. It made me want to re-read the original works and find the passages that were referenced in the book. Great work. I recommend it to everyone, but particularly to those who only know Alice in Wonderland via the movies.

It took me a few pages to get into the story. It has this odd writing that Alice in Wonderland has too. I do like that very much, but it needs some time to get used to. Once we follow Celia and Tyrus (I love Tyrus!) into Wonderland, strange things start to happen immediately. I was SO into this story right away! I can't think of anything I disliked, honestly. I think the story was absolutely mesmerizing and so incredibly unique! I honestly think that I love this version more than the original Alice story, haha. It's such an adventure to go on. An Arithman Sea, literally feeling 'sluggish', two sides to The Dutchess, rabbit's with clocks everywhere, some jokes that were LIT, I just can't get enough of it. Every chapter had another thing going on and I thought the writing style couldn't be more enchanting than it was. Literally every page had quotable sentences, memorable characters, genious conversations or crazy stuff going on. It took me only a few days to read the whole book and I feel kind of empty now that it's finished. I can't think of an Alice in Wonderland inspired book that has outdone itself like this book has (and even outshined the original version, in my opinion!). I mean, our 'Alice' in this story has dylexia!? Amazing twist! (Not a spoiler, anyway!) There wasn't a thing I would've liked to see different. The characters felt so real, I loved the dynamics between Celia and Tyrus and I loved how they differed so much from each other but therefore completed each other in their journey together. We meet the characters we love and are so familiar with: the Mat Hatter, the March Hare, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, the Dutchess, the White Rabbit, the playing cards and so on, but all in a slightly different way than you know them in your heart. That's exactly why I love this book more than is good for me, haha. It's everything you hope for, but in an original way with a lot more in the most magical way possible. I'm in love!

I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and the publisher for admitting me to read this e-ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It is said Lewis Carroll wrote thirteen diaries throughout his life, but four of them went missing and never found. That is until Tyrus and Celia, two students with their quirks and diverse personalities, found an old chest with a riddle on it that contains said lost diaries.
This will only be the beginning of a mad journey through a portal and into THE Wonderland from Lewis Caroll's books, only that it exists and is in peril. They need The Alice and it seems Celia or Tyrus is the one they're looking for.

Get ready to meet again well-known characters from the books as well some new others as well a few old characters with a modern twist. There are so many familiar elements from the book but still plenty of new things to discover as we follow our main characters through the vast world of Wonderland.

The Lost Wonderland Diaries is a journey as chaotic and rushed as Alice in Wonderland where our little friends retrace Alice's steps but with little twists and turns and more humour and quizzes. This is only the beginning.

What an awesome idea for a book! It was great to read about what another person's view of Wonderland was like and how the story both kept to the original happenings and explained the "what if" if the story continued. Parts of the story were pretty dark and would recommend it for the upper range of middle grade. I also loved that the story hit on issues of bullying and dyslexia which, as a middle school teacher, I encounter more and more kids with the learning disability that would love to see some one with their condition written into a book.

Another great book from J. Scott Savage. Based on Alice in Wonderland this a much more fun and exciting book. It takes place after the original stories and is a fun way to keep the craziness going.

This was a wonderfully creative book that I thoroughly enjoyed. My 9-year-old daughter read it too, and she also loved it and says she would recommend it for kids her age who love adventure stories.

If you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland, this is the book for you and for you to share with your children. It's a fun, layered adventure that includes all the wonderful puzzles and, well . . . WONDER that one would expect from Alice in Wonderland. The characters are charming, intelligent, and interesting and the storyline is one you will want to dive into. It is very much a love letter to Lewis Carroll. Well done and five stars!

A book from Net Galley again. I am so happy with all of the books we read from the active list I have.

It has been a real joy this weekend with my grandchildren and daughter. reading these select books. We have all loved the books. They all have different subjects and are good in their own way.

This one is about the people Alice and the while rabbit have encountered in Wonderland. How the Queen of Hearts deals with those left behind. She has the cards (guards) take care of each and everyone. She yells "Off with their heads" all the time!

We all enjoyed reading this one especially since we watched Alice's movie on the Disney channel before reading this book. It made it more fun.

It is a good book and fun for everyone.

A whimsical fantasy adventure of two unlikely friends who fall into a Wonderland that's plagued by a darkness that seeks to open the door to earth. While Celia loves math and logic, Tyrus loves books and fantasies. Can their new friendship survive such opposing viewpoints? If they hope to find their way back home, they'll have to work together despite such stark differences.

I loved the characters and their very heartfelt fears about going to a new school. They each have been bullied because of their differences. In Wonderland, they'll come face to face with these fears while also meeting the most odd, misfit people that populate this world. It will challenge them in earnest. Their struggles are easily felt even as an adult who's gone through the terror of a new school in a new town and the fear of being different.

Savage does a great job creating a Wonderland-esque journey that strongly harkens to the original work while also making it fresh. I've seen the Disney movie and never really liked it. Too much nonsense. But I've found its the remakes I really enjoy as they find that perfect balance of nonsensical and meaningful. "The Looking Glass Wars?" Awesome. This book? Loved even more.

The new take on very familiar characters was refreshing, the clever wordplay was sublime, the creative solutions to problems that could only arise in a place like Wonderland were delightful, and the character growth was impactful. The characters feel age appropriate while also discovering new ways of seeing themselves. The world building is mischievously enchanting. This book would sit very comfortably on a shelf next to Chris Colfer's "Land of Stories." Highly recommended!

This is a really fun book. I have read many books that follow a similar concept where kids go into a book. But this was the first one with Alice in Wonderland. The world of Alice in Wonderland really lends itself to this. It has many familiar characters as well as some new ones. Though it does require a fairly good understanding of Alice in Wonderland to really enjoy it. I did find that there were moments where the author forgot the audience because with a middle school novel you should not have to explain Minecraft.

This book is the PERFECT Alice in Wonderland inspired middle grade novel I've had the pleasure to read. I heard the author talk about it at a conference in February, and I've been anxiously waiting to read it ever since. It did not disappoint.

Celia is such a relatable main character, and she has dyslexia. I absolutely loved the portrayal of her struggle with words and the little tricks she uses to help. I worked tutoring elementary school aged kids in reading and math for three years and came across a few who were dyslexic. I wish I'd been able to read this book with them.

Besides the lovable main character, the story was so charming. It felt very true to Lewis Carroll's world and was chock-full of word play, riddles, and quirky characters. Plus there were really fun text features that were very engaging. I found myself giggling multiple times throughout the book.

Add to all this a great plot and supporting cast of characters and this book is an all around winner. I can't wait to share it with my kids.

I fell in love with that book series !
Can't wait for #2 !

Je voudrais d’abord remercier NetGalley et les éditions Shadow Mountain Publishing de m’avoir envoyé gratuitement ce livre en échange d’une critique honnête.
Je l’ai sélectionné car le résumé me faisait très très envie, un roman jeunesse avec des enfants qui basculent au Pays des Merveilles, et qui retrouvent les personnages les plus connus comme le Chat du Cheshire, le Chapelier Fou ou la Reine du Coeur, ça avait vraiment l’air top.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Note : 4.5 sur 5.

Et j’ai beaucoup aimé ma lecture. J’adore l’univers d’Alice au pays des merveilles, c’est un classique qui a une place toute particulière dans mon coeur. J’aime le livre, j’aime le Disney, j’aime le film de Burton. C’était vraiment un grand plaisir pour moi que de redécouvrir ce monde, et c’est pour ça que je lis pas mal de réécritures, c’est toujours très intéressant de voir des univers connus à travers les yeux d’un autre auteur que celui du livre d’origine.

Les deux personnages principaux, Celia et Tyrus, sont très attachants, et surtout très bien écrits. Pas de clichés, pas de vieilles réflexions ou critiques, au contraire, leur épopée prend une dimension initiatique : ils apprennent à se connaître, à s’assumer avec leur différence. Le message passé est très beau, et je suis heureuse de voir cela dans un roman jeunesse. C’est important, et je pense que ça en fait un roman qui peut facilement être étudié en école primaire. A la fin, il y a également une liste de « pistes de réflexion » autour du livre, pour amener les enfants-lecteurs à se questionner et à mieux comprendre, c’est une idée géniale (je ne sais pas si ça vient de l’auteur ou de la maison d’édition).

Les autres personnages sont tout aussi sympathiques que le duo principal. Ceux que l’on connaît déjà sont fidèles à ce que l’on sait d’eux. J’ai même trouvé que la façon dont certains sont traités est vraiment originale, on ne nous fait pas juste un copier-coller du Chapelier Fou, de la Chenille, de la Duchesse, de la Reine de Coeur et du Lapin Blanc, ils ont une vraie évolution depuis Alice au pays des merveilles.
Et les nouveaux personnages sont géniaux. Et quand je dis géniaux, je veux dire GENIAUX. La luciole et la grenouille à l’entrée de la maison de la Duchesse sont autant de personnages hilarants, et ils ont 100% leur place au Pays des Merveilles. Je vous renvoie au coin citations pour les passages drôles.

Tout le roman est très visuel, sans qu’il y ait énormément de descriptions. Je le verrai très bien adapté au cinéma en film d’animation, ou même en film classique. Même les dialogues des personnages sonnent juste à l’oreille, j’avais pratiquement l’impression de les entendre parler.

En conclusion, j’ai vraiment passé un très bon moment avec cette histoire. C’est le premier tome d’une saga, je ne sais pas encore si ce sera une duologie, une trilogie, ou autres. Je pense que je vais acheter la version papier quand elle sortira, car je sais que j’aurais envie de le relire à l’avenir. J’espère aussi qu’il sera un jour publié en France…

Fantastic author! Wonderful book. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to read this. Would definitely recommend this

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

This book is intended for children 8-11 years old or grade level 4-6. I will testify that people of all ages will enjoy this story, as I am much older than 11 and I enjoyed this very much.

SYNOPSIS

The Lost Wonderland Diaries is a wonderful story about a young girl and her friend in Wonderland. Celia is the main character and she is dyslexic. She befriends a young boy named Tyrus who happens to be a book worm. Together they accidently get sucked into Wonderland. Their guide in Wonderland is a charming new character named Sylvan. She is a young rabbit, barely out of bunnyhood, and tasked with finding “Alice” to save Wonderland. Together they have many adventures.

Celia is the daughter of a librarian, which for her is a nightmare because of her difficulty reading. Due to her dyslexia, Celia has put more effort into learning mathematics. Tyrus is a bit of a book nerd with a giant imagination. Celia and Tyrus must combine her knowledge of math with his imagination and knowledge of books to solve puzzles and riddles while making their way through Wonderland and avoiding its hazards.

Something terrible is happening in Wonderland when they arrive. The characters are being turned into monsters! Celia, Tyrus and Sylvan must navigate a variety of hazards, puzzles and monsters not only to get home but to stop whatever is happening in Wonderland. With the help of some of the original cast of characters and a few new ones, they work their way through wonderland discovering not only what is happening, but they discover themselves in the process!

Celia knows math and logic, Tyrus knows books and imagination, and when the two accidentally find themselves in a different and strange land, they are tasked with finding a way home. Soon they figure out they are in Wonderland but not the one Tyrus knows or Celia's great great grandfather wrote about in his story about Alice and her adventures here. But as they work their way through wonderland they make a few friends to help them along the way.

This is a wonderful book on friendship, no matter their differences and how they can do things better together than separate. Celia is dyslexic (a neurodiversity that is close to my heart, as I am dyslexic too but no one knew much about it or any of Celia's tips when I was a kid) and Tyrus just likes books and going to those places in his books as a get away, I do this a lot now. They are both no stranger to being teased and they both are new to the area and school. So I fell in love with these characters right away, they are perfect for this story. Although I have never read Alice's adventures I am interested in it now. The non-stop action and building of suspense are just right and at the right moments. This is a book for everyone to enjoy as there is something in it for everyone.

This review will appear on my blog on Sept 8th.

I cannot say enough good things about this book! It was absolutely fabulous. I have nothing bad to say. I think adults and children alike can enjoy and appreciate this book! I LOVE that J. Scott Savage included information about Dodgson/Carroll and that this book was not just a retelling of Alice in Wonderland. It is SO MUCH more than a retelling. It’s a book that tells kids (and adults) who have never fit in that it’s ok to be different. It’s educational. It’s funny. It’s suspenseful and exciting. It’s just great all around. I am eagerly looking forward to the next book!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing and J. Scott Savage for the ARC of The Lost Wonderland Diaries in exchange for my honest review.

I will be posting a full review closer to the publication date on my blog and Instagram!

I'm always on the hunt for new Wonderland retellings/reimaginings, so I was very excited when I got the approval for The Lost Wonderland Diaries. This book was so much more entertaining than many of the retellings I have read recently. While the plot is one that felt kind of familiar, the characters here were great. I even enjoyed the new characters, such as Slyvan, which doesn't happen often when I reenter the world of Wonderland. I'm kind of a purist when it comes to this story and I tend to prefer sticking to the original characters, so I was pleasantly surprised when Slyvan ended up being one of my favorite characters in the book.

I think my overall favorite part of this book is the puzzles and riddles the children are confronted with throughout their journey. I felt like I was getting some bonus brain exercises while reading this book, which is impressive considering I'm significantly older than the target audience!

Overall, this was a very fun, entertaining story that I think will appeal to boys and girls, adults and children. I really hope a sequel finds its way onto shelves eventually!

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

I couldn't wait to read Savage's newest middle-grade book because I LOVED The Mysteries of Cove series. He's an author that always has me rooting for his characters.

Would The Lost Wonderland Diaries live up to both Savage's reputation and the genius of the original? That might seem like a lot to ask of one man.

Here's the skinny - I think Savage is brilliant. Not only does he play with the original scenes we all know, he adds to Wonderland with a twist and new storyline. As soon as I saw the tricky numbers and hungry crocodile, I knew I'd entered Wonderland. Some of my highlights without giving big spoilers include a white rabbit (I want to pet you), a mad tea party (definitely an elbows on the table affair), Cheshire (he can come live with me anytime - I'm sure we'd get along because he knows what it takes to be a good friend), the ball (books with dancing are awesome whether you keep your head or not) , the twisty twist at the end (oh, you clever, clever author - I'll read more to see how you pull off the magic tricks again).

Outside of the fanciful plot, I loved the characters. Both Celia and Tyrus with their different interests and strengths are the perfect avatars to take us on this unique journey to save Wonderland. Don't we all live a line between logic and imagination? These two ideas come into play throughout the story as the characters work through who they are and what Wonderland needs.

I've experienced some characteristics of dyslexia: mixing up words, sentence structure, and a couple of letters. Because of this mild experience, I really enjoyed Celia who is dyslexic and great at math (True confession: I am not great at math). I worked in an elementary school art program at the class level which included children who experience neurodiversity. They have so many strengths not seen in traditional learning environments and often excelled in art. This book is a celebration of our differences. I believe Celia is a character all children can cheer for and love.

Tyrus is equally delightful because of his love of books, acceptance of others, and enthusiasm. The two kids complement one another. He is excited to be in Wonderland and anxious to save it no matter the cost. Celia is hesitant and focused on logic, ready to get home. Books are built on great characters even more than clever ideas. As Celia and Tyrus work their way through Wonderland's problems, they build a friendship of give and take. They value and respect one another. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all learned these same lessons?

Savage handles the heart of the story with a deft hand. He lets the readers draw their own conclusions. I believe children will adore the adventure, and tuck the lessons away in their heart, not even knowing they learned while having fun.

I highly recommend this book, but only if you want a fun adventure.

How will you save Wonderland?

J Scott Savage is brilliant. Loved this book felt like I was reading a book by Lewis Carroll. It was fantastic, will love to recommend to all the kids at our library. Definitely a book club book.

Celia has just moved to a new town with her mom, who is a librarian. This means Celia has to spend her summer at the library. Unlike her mother, she hates reading. She'd prefer to spend her day solving logic puzzles and doing math problems. It's mostly because her dyslexia gets in the way.

At the library, she runs into the book nerd, Tyrus. He's a young man who's such a trouble maker that he'll sneak behind the library counter to steal a book from the cart and shelf it. He loves shelfing books that much.

The two of them discover the lost diaries of Lewis Carroll and somehow get sucked into Neverland through them.

This felt like a hybrid of Phantom and the Tollbooth and Alice in Wonderland. It's an incredibly clever and fun book with riddles and puzzles they must get through. It feels like a book that should be in every classroom. Such a fun read! The characters are incredibly fun and creative and the plot is fascinating. The author did such a clever job of creating this world.

The Lost Wonderland Diaries is a whimsical middle grade novel and Alice in Wonderland inspired story. The writing style is reminiscent of the original story. The characters are captivating and the book has a fun thread of humor throughout.

I am a huge fan of Alice in Wonderland in all its forms, and I love re-tellings so if you are nitpicky then you may have comments. Personally I loved this and it only adds to the Alice in Wonderland, without changing anything. Highly highly recommend this to all ages and I hope to see more about the other diaries!

I loved this book!! I've always been a fan of Alice in Wonderlamd and loved delving into the world. I would highly recommend this book. Its very fun and witty. I'm a big fan of J. Scott Savage and this book didn't disappoint

4/5 stars
This was a cute and whimsical middle-grade fantasy book. I was instantly drawn in by the bio - I love retellings and Alice in Wonderland. The reason I took off a star is because the middle lagged a little. The pacing was ok. The beginning was a little slow, the middle lagged, and the ending flew by. I liked all of the characters. Tyrus and Celia were great protagonists! I am an avid reader, like Tyrus, so I related to him the most. The plot was great! The twist(s) were a little predictable, and I love how the ending turned out. The setting was amazing! I loved how Wonderland was brought to life! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Alice in Wonderland or middle-grade fantasy novels.

What a wonderful twist on the original books. I enjoyed reading this and going on the adventure with Celia and Tyrus. The challenges they faces were great and I would definitely recommend this to the 5th graders. It drones on a bit in some spots but I dont think that they would catch on or mind.

Full review on my blog later.

This was a super cute story about two kids getting lost in Wonderland and having to save it. I have not actually read any of the Alice stories, but I think this was a great prelude into those stories and now I want to read them. I loved Celia and Tyrus. They were so cute and the fact that they were opposites was great. I can't wait for the finished copy to come out to add to my collection.

My 11 year old daughter read this and loved it. Here is her review:
This book was funny and exciting! I had so much fun reading it. If you read and enjoyed The Land of Stories series then you will love this book too. I would recommend this book for sure!

This book is SO good, i loved reading about the little adventures of Celia and Tyrus in Wonderland. I really liked the author's writing and plan on reading more of his books.

I've never been a fan of Alice in Wonderland. I've never read it...tried once and couldn't get very far. But this book was unique and I found that I really enjoyed reading it. I really enjoyed the beginning as Celia and Tyrus meet. I laughed out loud at some of their interactions. This was an enjoyable book and I appreciate being given the opportunity to read it. Thank you to Net Galley and Shadow Mountain for the opportunity to read it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the children I read it to loved it as well, it absorbed me from the start and I stayed there til the very end.
It feels like the next step up from all of the fairy tales I read as a child I loved this book.

I really enjoyed reading The Lost Wonderland Diaries. The Lewis Carroll books are some of my favorites from childhood so I really love reading other works that use them as inspiration to continue the adventures. I liked the book so much I read it to my daughter and she enjoyed it as well. Looking forward to more books by this author.

Note: I voluntarily read a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are mine alone.

The Lost Wonderland Diaries by J. Scott Savage is a love letter to Alice in Wonderland.
Celia, a newcomer to town fears going to school and having people she find out she’s different, being dyslexic she has a hard time with words but numbers she handles alright. At the library her mom just took a job at she meets book loving Tyrus. Also new to town and suffered bullying in his previous school. The two don’t quite hit it off from the start, but as they hang out in the librarian’s office they come across a box containing the four missing journals of Charles Dodgson aka Lewis Carroll. The two get sucked into a vortex and find themselves inside Wonderland.
Dodgson stories of Wonderland are based on a real world he traveled to but the Wonderland he’d gone to and the Wonderland Celia and Tyrus experience are very different. Something has changed Wonderland into an almost nightmarish landscape and Celia and Tyrus have to rely on each other and Sylvan, their bunny guide who brought them looking for The Alice to save Wonderland.
Throughout Celia and Tyrus come across puzzles and riddles and very familiar characters in unfamiliar ways and they need to discover and answer one of the most important questions, “Who are you?”, to make it through
***
This was a fun story. A bit darker than the Alice of Carroll’s but a wonderful ode to it. I loved the clues that tied to the original story and the take on the different characters. I also just enjoyed Celia and Tyrus. They were just two kids working with what they had, trying to do their best. It was a fun quick read.
***
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Something monstrous has been found in the magic world of Wonderland and it wants to get out.” https://www.jscottsavage.com/books/the-lost-wonderland-diaries/

I read the classic story of Alice in Wonderland many years ago as a senior. All I really remember is that my teacher criticized my portrayal of Alice telling me that I didn’t know anything about four-year olds. She was right, I didn’t. But I did understand that no one would really believe the story about Wonderland other than as the make-believe experiences of a young girl named Alice.

Then along comes the story told in The Lost Wonderland Diaries by J. Scott Savage. Celia is a soon to be eighth grader who has been moved across the country by her Mom, a newly hired head librarian. She must endure the last few days of her summer vacation stuck in the library. Reading is not her thing because she has dyslexia. While helping her Mom search for a lost child she meets Tyrus a book nerd. They happen upon some diaries written by Charles Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll in her Mom’s office and while solving a puzzle are swept into Wonderland. It’s not the Wonderland as Tyrus remembers reading in Alice in Wonderland, but a dark and dangerous place. Tyrus excited about saving Wonderland and Celia hoping it’s just a nightmare must work together if they want to save Wonderland and get back home.

This story of friendship and celebration of differences stays true to the original story yet takes its own twist on the adventure. Certain to be a hit with middle grade readers, The Lost Wonderland Diaries is a fast-paced journey that will bring readers together across generations. Savage not only writes a marvelous spin on the classic tale; he develops two young people with their own difficulties who discover they are more together than alone. And to top it all off he uses our old favorites and adds other Wonderland characters to write a fulfilling story.

You’ll find J Scott Savage across all social media platforms sharing the writing adventure that is called The Lost Wonderland Diaries. Share it with your middle grade readers, soon!

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing the opportunity to read and review this E-Arc.

This books is such fun! It had just the right amount of Wonderland madness. Kids that enjoy solving puzzles will really like the riddles inside. Though the main characters are polar opposites, they work so well together.

I received a free digital copy from Net Galley in exchange for a honest review.

This story draws from the original Alice in Wonderland stories by Lewis Carroll. One of the human characters is supposed to be related to Lewis Carroll. The girl loves math but hates to read. The boy loves to read.

They encounter interesting characters from Wonderland.

Warning: there are some scary scenes. I think this book is for older children.

#TheLostWonderlandDiaries #NetGalley

Celia is smart at math, but doesn't like to read, her mom is a librarian and wants her to be a reader. Being new in town, Celia worries about starting school and being made fun of. Celia doesn't like to read because she can't see the letters the same way everyone else does. While at the library, where her mom works as a librarian, Celia meets Tyrus, who is also a new boy in town. When Celia and Tyrus discover a box of lost diaries, they find themselves spinning into Wonderland. Wonderland is a place of talking animals and a world full of math. Celia and Tyrus need to help Wonderland repair itself, but they also have many adventures along the way. A story that captures the reader's attention, but is also teaching that friendship, believing in yourself, and not listening to the voices that hurt, that are important.

I loved The Lost Wonderland Diaries right from the get go. The main character, Celia and Tyrus, are lovable right from the start. They become quick friends and end up on a crazy adventure. This story of friendship is perfect for middle grade readers.

Celia and Tyrus move to a new town and meet at the library by chance. Celia's mother works as a librarian and Tyrus is a bookaholic. Celia is dyslexic but good at Math and is also related to Lewis Carroll. Celia and Tyrus discover Lewis Caroll's four diaries which are locked in a box. They open a portal to Wonderland and they go to Wonderland. They discover that not only Wonderland is as crazy as what is in the books but also it is threatened by a dark force and only The Alice can save Wonderland. The animals mistake Celia as The Alice but Celia is only interested in finding a portal to go home. Will Celia and Tyrus save Wonderland? How will they return home?

This book is a great read for people who like Alice in Wonderland. Most of the characters in Wonderland are similar to the original book, with a few changes. The author did a good job of explaining where the situations are different from the actual book. I liked reading about the eccentric Wonderland characters. Even though I did not read the original book, the author gave a good explanation regarding the characters so that you do not miss anything.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5
I liked the premise of this novel and the way that the author took Wonderland and the characters and then twisted them around. It was a fun adventure, but there were definitely some confusing parts. I did read an advanced copy so there could still be changes made, but I did find that there were a few times where something felt like it was missing.
I liked the characters. Celia is dyslexic and she’s just moved to a new place where she doesn’t know anyone. She doesn’t think very highly of herself because of her dyslexia. However, Celia is brilliant at math, and she has a very logical worldview.
Tyrus was the character I related to a little bit more because he’s a self-proclaimed bookaholic. The books he reads and the worlds he escapes into are his way of combatting loneliness.
Together these two characters journey into Wonderland and discover that logic and imagination work better when they’re working together. I liked that the messages in the book were showing people that it’s okay to be different. I liked the different kinds of puzzles they were faced with solving (although there was too much math for my taste). Some of the puzzles felt like they were too simple and obvious, and these were the ones that were more important to the overall plot line.
I noticed as well that the POV changed a few times. At the beginning in Wonderland we were in third person POV, but out of Wonderland we were in Celia’s head in first person POV. However, once Celia and Tyrus were in Wonderland, we were in third person again. And once they made it home from Wonderland, we were back into Celia’s head in first person. This was a bit strange to me.
Overall, I’d recommend this book for older middle-grade readers who enjoy fantasy worlds and classic tales that have been turned upside-down.

Look out for my review on my bookstagram page (alli_the_bookaholic13) in the second week of September!

I was able to pre-read this book and can't wait for it's release to see the final version! The book is fun and witty and will delight readers of all ages. The author has done a great job of capturing the heart of Wonderland, and the book will be particularly fun for those who have read Lewis Carroll's Wonderland series.

The author has also worked hard to portray the dyslexia of one of his character's accurately, and as a dyslexia therapist, I think this book would be a great book for students with dyslexia to read or listen to through audiobooks and see themselves represented.

Bravo on a well-written book that will delight all ages!

This is an awesome tribute to Alice in Wonderland and it's author Lewis Carroll. We have two kids who are struggling in the real world, who meet up and quickly bond over their respective issues. As they are hanging out in the library, the stumble upon the lost diaries of Lewis Carroll which transports them straight to Wonderland itself!

But something is off in this Wonderland. All the familiar characters are there, but everyone is different. Things don't seem right. These two kids quickly realize that not only do they need to figure out how to get home, but they need to save Wonderland too! They go through adventure after adventure having to solve problems and riddles all along the way to accomplish their goals. Kids will love this. There's also a ton of learning thrown in, learning about different animals, learning vocabulary, etc. Kids, and parents, will even love this!

So yes, there's much humor and fun in this book that both kids and adults will enjoy, especially those who love Alice and her adventures. It's fun to see these kids have a similar, yet very different experience in Wonderland. And then come out of it stronger and better and much much more confident about dealing with their real life struggles. Perfect.

I really enjoyed this take on the world of Wonderland and the characters. Savage does an incredible job adding to that world and creating a voice that feels reminiscent of Carroll's but also so unique. This version of Wonderland was quite different and the additions to the story felt just as zany and nonsensical as Carroll's own creation.

Celia and Tyrus were great protagonists in this story. I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the book. It was also interesting to see the major focus on Celia's dyslexia throughout the entire story. This focus fits along perfectly with the story and I believe will be a great thing for middle-grade children to read about.

I loved the wordplay, puzzles, and riddles throughout the entire story.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for my ARC copy of the book* I will be sure to pick up my own copy.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this lovely and fun book! The Lost Wonderland Diaries is an incredibly fun story about two misfit kids finding themselves, and it is also an ode to Lewis Carroll's iconic works. J. Scott Savage clearly captures the whimsy of Carroll's Wonderland, and the way that Savage builds on Carroll's work is simply masterful. The two main characters, Celia and Tyrus, are well-crafted, and I loved watching them develop and overcome their personal obstacles and truly find themselves by the end of the book. I also loved that one of the main messages of the book is that logic and imagination have to work together, and too much of one or the other can create serious problems. I love the balance that is portrayed in this book, and I also just love how much fun it is! Whether you've read Alice in Wonderland or not, you can definitely enjoy this book! Highly recommend!

I really enjoy this version of Wonderland and the fact we are following other characters than Alice. I read 30% of the book to be honest because I want to buy it next week and have it in my hands. I will be able to finish it and I always love it so I know I’m doing a good move ❤️ I recommend this if you love wonderland. Period go get it

I received an e-arc from Shadow Mountain Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Celia is dyslexic and has trouble reading. Tyrus loves reading and immersing himself in stories. Celia and Tyrus are opposites in every way and they have to come together to save Wonderland. Are they able to do it?

I really enjoyed reading J. Scott Savage's novel based upon Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The Lost Wonderland Diaries were intriguing and fast-paced. Celia and Tyrus were excellently written to show each's strengths and weaknesses perfectly. I could relate to both Celia and Tyrus throughout the story, except for Celia's dyslexia because I'm not dyslexic, but it was written in a way that I could empathize with Celia. I loved how some of the original story was included in The Lost Wonderland Diaries. It shows just how much J. Scott Savage researched Lewis Carroll's stories. If there is a second book, I definitely want to read it to see where Celia and Tyrus's stories go.

Highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and stories where the characters find themselves.

“What if Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland wasn’t something Lewis Carroll made up, but a history of what he saw when he came here?”—The Lost Wonderland Diaries

Celia is the daughter of a librarian and the great-great-great-grandniece of Charles Dodson, the real name of the author of Alice in Wonderland. So it is no surprise when the citizens of Wonderland ask for her help to rid their land of a horrible monster. However, it is a surprise when Celia and her friend Tyrus drink from a tiny green bottle and end up trapped in Wonderland.

The Lost Wonderland Diaries has matched the atmosphere, mood, and humor of the original book exactly. The addition of real math word problems, bullying, and dyslexia makes the book seem more modern without interrupting the flow of the plot. Overall, it’s an enjoyable and clever read (and not just for children). 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars!

Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I had a great time reading this book. Returning to this magical place was a lot of fun, and seeing new faces explore it was a real treat. Things have changed much here, and not in a good way. While Tyrus can’t contain his excitement, Celia just wants to leave this ridiculous place. Yet the longer she is there, the more she wants to somehow save this place. As this tale comes to a close, it looks like Wonderland will never be the same. Fans young and old will have a lot of fun reading this book.

I've never really understood the obsession with Alice in Wonderland, so my expectations for this book were pretty low. I like the darker reimagining of the world, the idea that after Carroll's visit things took a really dark turn. It's more than just a reimagining, though. It's also a puzzle story. Celia has to solve puzzles and riddles to be able to return Wonderland to the balance between logic and creativity. Fun for a one off read.

At one level, The Lost Wonderland Diaries feels a bit formulaic: kids who are outsiders get thrown into an adventure in another land, become friends, save the day, and return home changed. But, the formula works. Middle grade readers will enjoy this. Those who've read Alice in Wonderland will appreciate the twists from the original plot, and hopefully those who haven't read it will be motivated to give Carroll's works a try.

This was an utterly delightful read! I was completely drawn into the story from the beginning. I loved all the whimsical and fantasy aspects of the story. I've read a couple retellings or additions to Lewis Carroll's, Alice in Wonderland and have really enjoyed them. This one is another fantastic addition and feels like I was right back in Wonderland.

I really enjoyed how the author included information about Lewis Carroll, aka Charles Dodgson. It was fun to learn more about him. I thought it was rather clever how he wrote Celia's character with a connection to Charles Dodgson, therefore giving her more of an important role in Wonderland than she first realizes.

Every adventurer needs a good sidekick and friend, especially when venturing into a broken Wonderland. You never know what you're going to face but having someone by your side helps! Tyrus was such a fun character. He added some great humor to the book and the situations that he and Celia faced. I loved watching their friendship unfold throughout the story. It made me think of who I would want to take on such an adventure with me.

The riddles and tricks and characters and phrases throughout the book were delightful. I know I've said that word already but it's true. I had fun as the reader trying to figure them out right alongside Celia and Tyrus and trying to pull from my memory banks thoughts of Alice in Wonderland. I really loved seeing favorite characters of mine from Wonderland, as well as getting a little different perspective on others.

I've already recommended the book to several friends for them and their children to enjoy. One of my own kiddos read it as I was finishing it and it was a hit! I think this will be a much loved story by many, many readers! If you have a reader that you're looking for a gift for, I urge you to consider this one!

Content: Clean. Some moments of peril but nothing graphic.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

I wish I could say I loved The Lost Wonderland Diaries. I wish I could even say I like it. Truthfully, I struggled to get into it, and after 74 pages, I walked away.

I’m normally a fan of J. Scott Savage. I loved his Mysteries of the Cove series, and I thought the same would happen here. It never did. I think this comes, in part, because of my apathy toward Alice in Wonderland in general. It’s never been one of my favorites, and here, Savage is immersing readers back into this wacky world.

Savage’s two main characters are a nice balance and seem well-suited for this sort of adventure. Most of the reviews I’ve seen for The Lost Wonderland Diaries touch on that friendship as well as strong elements of inclusiveness and self-confidence that should appeal to many readers.

Though I didn’t finish this book, I did enjoy the puzzles Celia and Tyrus had to solve and felt the author did a good job of making Celia’s dyslexia accessible and relatable to readers. This book is probably a no-brainer for Alice fans, but I’d recommend checking it out from the library prior to purchasing for others.

I loved this book. It's a contemporary fantasy about Celia and Tyrus, two children who are pulled into Wonderland through a Lewis Carroll's lost diary. Everything is different—not at all like the one Alice visited. We meet many of the same characters as Alice did, but they're all turned upside-down and backwards. Lots of twists and surprises.

But the thing I liked best was that Celia and Tyrus are opposites in the way they interact with the world. They both have some great strengths, but they also have great weaknesses that cause problems as they try to save Wonderland and get back home. I really enjoyed the way they had to learn to trust and support each other.

Wonderful book. Recommended to children 12 and up; and to anyone who enjoys Wonderland.

i really enjoyed reading this, I liked the use of Wonderland and really enjoyed getting to know the characters. I hope there is more.

This is a very charming take on the classic Alice in Wonderland. First of all, I found the concept brilliant. Sure, the entire plot resembles the original but the idea that Lewis Caroll had left diaries that tells people how to cross to Wonderland is fascinating.

I also adored the main characters and I find them realistic and relatable. Celia is dyslexic and I think the author did well in her portrayal. Tyrus is a nerd and was bullied for it and I think it's handled well too.

The writing is amazing. It's very whimsical just like the original and I loved it. The writing is one of the charms of the original Alice in Wonderland and J. Scott Savage did a very good job at writing the same way. I'm glad he did. The overall plot resembles the original but that didn't ruin the fun for me because it's still exciting.

My nine-year-old son was super excited to get the new book by Jeff Savage, The Wonderland Diaries. I was, too, actually because it's such a fun premise. And the story did not disappoint!

Mr. Savage has taken a new twist to a well-loved story and truly made it his own. Both my son and I loved getting to know Celia and Tyrus as they fall through a portal that lead them into an amazing adventure. We loved seeing some familiar characters like the Cheshire Cat and meeting new ones like Sylvan. They were so well-drawn and memorable. Celia and Tyrus are trying to get out of Wonderland and must learn to work together to solve the riddles and find out how to do it. But the Queen of Hearts is working hard to capture them and will stop at nothing! With time running out, will they make it back?

This was a really great adventure story that will have your child begging to stay up later for just one more page. It was a nice cross between the familiar and the new and the characters hit all the right notes for both younger readers and older. There was one part that was just a tiny bit too scary for my little boy, but we talked about it and that helped. Tyrus and Celia are great characters that have traits children will identify with as they make mistakes and try to put them right. There are also some great spots to open up a conversation with your child on topics like dyslexia and how to apologize when you've done something that hurts someone else. (The discussion questions were helpful, too) But all in all, it was an imaginative take on Alice in Wonderland. If your family likes twisty, turny adventures where everything isn't just what is seems (or what you remember) you'll want to pick up The Wonderland Diaries!

A fun adventure for Alice in Wonderland fans! I really appreciated Celia's POV and learning more about dyslexia.

Opening line:
"Is it time?"

What a funny, strange, laugh-out-loud ride in a fantasy world created by Carroll and Savage! Celia and Tyrus are thrust into the iconic world of Wonderland, thanks to one of Carroll's lost diaries. Tyrus is a reader, loves imagination, and understands the world. Celia loves math and logic and not reading since she has dyslexia.
I LOVED all the different areas of Wonderland the two characters had to get through by solving puzzles. I LOVED the puzzles! Except the math ones, which went over my head but that doesn't mean I'm not logical. haha!
I believe any reader, young or mature, would love this book. It's compelling, smart and intriguing.

I have a couple of favorite quotes from the book:

""Now then," Judge Dodo said, "having heard the evidence, it is my duty to inform you that, should you be found guilty, you are subject to swift and just punishment up to and including name-calling, hair-pulling, button-pushing and being forced to listen to bad karaoke.""

I had to reread that part a couple of times and I laughed every time.

""I don't read books because I have to," he said, in a stunned voice. "I read them because I want to."

LOVE IT!

And one last one, which is my favorite and sums up this book loverliest:

"Logic and imagination combined will always be greater than either one alone."

Thank you to netgalley and Shadow Mountain for the early read!

Wow, this was a fun book to read. I read it with my fourth grader, who loved it and hopes there will be a second book. Celia and Tyrus seemed like complete opposites, but I love how they came together. It was fun to be in Wonderland even if it wasn't the same Wonderland that Alice visited. I loved that in this one we finally got the answer to how a raven is like a writing desk. I loved that part of the story. This was a fun adventure with lots of surprises along the way.

I have loved Alice in Wonderland since I was a child and was excited to read this book. It is a wonderful take on the classic Alice in Wonderland. It was a very fun read and the author did an amazing job with the main characters.

The writing style is great and has that whimsical story that the original Alice in Wonderland had, which makes me love it even more.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this book.

This book is so fun and full of creativity and imagination! I got lost in the story and thoroughly enjoyed it!

I'm not really a fan of the original Alice in Wonderland, but I have read other things by this author that I quite enjoyed (e.g. <i>Farworld</i>). So, when I heard this author speak about this book specifically, and he really captured my imagination, I decided to give it a chance. I'm glad I did. It didn't blow me away, but it was entertaining and I really liked the characters of Celia and Tyrus. I felt like both were really well fleshed out and totally relatable.

This book has some of the same whimsicality of the original Alice books, but the characters are far more likeable and relatable and the story line just seems a little more grounded in reality. While this may not appeal to some readers, it does appeal to me. I read a lot of fantasy and I love world-building and immersing myself in fantastical things. But, silly and nonsensical just annoys me. Somehow, despite the original source material, Savage manages to weave a tale that perfectly balances logic and imagination. If you're a fan of middle grade adventures, fractured fairy tales, Carroll's original work, or Savage as an author, I definitely recommend this book to you!

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy from the publisher through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I'm a huge Alice in Wonderland fan and this was a fun story to share with my 8 year old opening her eyes to the amazing world of Wonderland. I can't wait to read more from J. Scott Savage and see if we get more about Wonderland

I enjoyed this book from page one all the way to the end of the book! If you love Alice in Wonderland, then this is the book for you! Celia and Tyrus are outcasts that meet in a library, which forces them to go on an adventure similar to the movie Page Master. But in Wonderland. I was engaged through the entire book as wonderland's character came into contact with Celia, the math buff, and Tyrus, the bookworm.

For someone who admittedly hasn’t read Alice in Wonderland, The Lost Wonderland Diaries really felt like I was reading the Lewis Carroll classic. J. Scott Savage captures the essence and writing style of what many of us associate with Alice in Wonderland. Sometimes it felt like there were many similar scenes, but for someone who hasn’t read the original, I honestly can’t say whether that would be bothersome or not.

It was predictable in the overall grand scheme of things, but I think if I handed this to middle school or late elementary school me, she would’ve taken the book and only come out at the end of the book.

The Lost Wonderland Diaries was a lot of fun to read as Savage has us following along Celia and Tyrus in their journey when they stumble upon one of Lewis Carroll’s lost journals and get pulled into the world that inspired the classics. But unlike the classics, there is something more hostile that wants to break into the real world, and both Celia and Tyrus come across various puzzles they work together to solve so they can leave Wonderland.

The two of them undergo growth throughout the course of the story that was a joy to read, starting out as two kids unlikely to cross paths much less becoming friends. As they solve more puzzles and uncover a plot from the Queen of Hearts, they slowly become friends, recognizing each others’ strengths. They go from just wanting to leave Wonderland to developing a relationship with the residents of the world and wanting to save them as well.

The Lost Wonderland Diaries is quick to read and entertaining, with plenty of wordplay and logic, perfect for younger readers.

Celia is frustrated to be the new kid stuck with a bookish mom, the legacy of Lewis Carroll, and struggles with dyslexia. But throughout this story’s word play, logic and logistics, nods to Alice’s original adventures and new challenges to face, this story is a beautiful continuation of a beloved classic. As an Alice fan, I tend to have a tough eye for what I look for in Wonderland spinoffs— and this text would be ideal and enjoyable for my middle grade readers. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Excellent addition into Alice in Wonderland folklore. THE LOST WONDERLAND DIARIES Introduces new, young readers to the world created by Lewis Carroll, and includes just enough to satisfy longtime fans.

Quite a fun read! I love the adventures that Celia and Tyrus share in Wonderland while trying to make their way back home. There's always something special when introverts find friendship and compliment each other in their strengths. It's refreshing to have protagonists learn how to lean into their strengths instead of focusing on their deficits. Nothing like trying to save Wonderland and get back home to do that!

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Lost Wonderland Diaries is possibly one of the best re-telling/follow on stories of the Alice in Wonderland books.
When I came across this book on netgalley I jumped at the chance to read and review it, especially with Alice in Wonderland being one of my all time favourite books. I was not disappointed! This book sucks you in from the first page to the final sentence.
This book shows an undoubted level of knowledge and understanding by the author about Lewis Carroll and the wonderland story. J Scott Savage has an incredible talent with the same kind of word play, number play, rhymes and riddles as Lewis Carroll and really makes you feel it is written by non other than him too!
Such an incredible book that has made me fall even more in love with Alice in wonderland.

I looked at this one more for myself. I am obsessed with anything Alice in Wonderland but oddly don't like the original. This is such a cute story. I love the writing and the atmosphere. Well done!

Celia just wants to pass her time in the shadows and not bring attention to her learning disability. When she is stuck at the library, she stumbles into a new friend and a gateway to the infamous Wonderland. But something is wrong with Wonderland and all the residences, will Celia be able to help restore the wonderful chaos? The Lost Wonderland Diaries breathes new imagination and wonder into the classic tale of Alice and Wonderland. All of the classic characters are present, such as The Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, and the Cheshire Cat but Savage goes one step further to reimagine how time would have affected them. Celia and Tyrus are amazing protagonist and counter balance each other, which will have a wide range of appeal. Celia's growth throughout the book is a pleasure to read and her character as a whole is dull of depth and dimension. This story brought more understanding of wonderland and other chaotic aspects that are not in the original but could have been. The further exploration of Lewis Carrol was also a pleasant surprise , giving both new and old readers a new look on a beloved author.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for my copy of The Lost Wonderland Diaries by J. Scott Savage in exchange for an honest review. It published September 8, 2020.
Wow! What an enjoyable retelling of Lewis Carrol's classic Alice books! I loved the way everything was off-kilter, but stayed true to the story itself. I also loved that there was a dyslexic character and that it was really portrayed in an honest way. I have someone close to me with dyslexia, and the way Celia experiences it seems pretty similar to this person, and the social implications as well.
I also loved the character growth and development, reading about the challenges, failures and triumphs along the way.
I think any Alice fan should definitely add this to their list!

Celia and Tyrus are both library nerds - Tyrus because he loves to read and Celia because her mom is the new librarian in town. The two strike up a fast and sure friendship and Celia reveals to him her personal issue ... she's dyslexic. Most people don't understand what that means and she's usually assumed to be, at best, stupid and at worst, carrying a disease. Tyrus is the first person who really seems to get Celia.

In their new-found friendship, they find that they share a love of the works of Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) and Tyrus informs Celia that Charles Dodgson kept diaries his whole life but after his death, his family discovered that four of the diaries were missing. Celia admits that she's actually related to Dodgson - his great, great, many great grand-niece.

Going through a collection of old books in a box belonging to Celia's family, they come across four leather-bound books. With awe, Tyrus announces that he believes they are Dodgson's missing diaries. But more importantly, while going through one of them, Celia and Tyrus become transported into Wonderland.

But the Wonderland that Lewis Carroll wrote about has changed. Many of the characters are still there, but some have become ruthless monsters and Tyrus and Celia want only to return to their home. They will have to solve many riddles and puzzles and avoid being beheaded by the Queen of Hearts and they still may not find the secrets that will get them home.

I've long been a fan of the Alice in Wonderlands books and I'm a sucker for anything related to the books, but at the same time I am hesitant to read anything in this universe because it's not likely to live up to the original. J. Scott Savage's tale is a worthy offering, helped by the fact that this isn't Alice returning.

The math involved here is cleverly done and quite appropriate for the story and as a young reader adventure story, this is quite enjoyable.

As a "Wonderland" story...? This is clever and fitting in many ways, but it lacks the magic and spark of the originals. The darker nature of some of the much-loved original characters really doesn't work as well as it should. The original Alice's characters were pretty dark on their own without giving them some nefarious motives.

This is often the problem when playing in someone else's world - to make it unique means messing with what's already there.

Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it as an exciting fantasy for some readers, but it hurts a little bit to recommend it as an Alice in Wonderland adventure.

Looking for a good book? The Lost Wonderland Diaries by J. Scott Savage takes readers back to Wonderland with two new young human guides, but it's not the Wonderland we left when we closed Lewis Carroll's books.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I go into any retelling with bated breath and a lot of leeway.

J. Scott Savage did a fantastic job with creating a world that is similar to Carrolls. The same verbiage that Carroll uses makes or breaks a Alice in Wonderland retelling.

I loved the words, I loved the world, and I love the word play, the riddles, and characters. The MC was a very relatable young lady. She has dyslexia, which is something that is almost never talked about in books and I really enjoyed how Savage wrote her and the ways she is able to help herself with her disability.

We will definitely read this book in our book club!

4.5 stars, just because no one takes 5-star reviews seriously.

This story is adorable. I may be biased, coming to it with a love of the Wonderland stories, but then again, one of my least favorite things is when a modern author takes a perfectly good classic and tries to reinvent it, and then RUINS it for a new generation of readers. If you're going to mess with the best, you had better be a master.

Savage clearly *gets* Wonderland. We don't shy away from the weirdness for even a second -- in fact, he seems to revel in it; however, he also pulls in Carroll's own mathematical background, providing a surprisingly solid, logical foundation on which to build a lot of Wonderland's bizarre mechanisms. This book took the utterly unfathomable wildness I typically think of and made it, in some ways, make sense. I liked that, but I also hated it. But mostly I liked it. Why <i>is</i> a raven like a writing desk?

And I can't stress my fondness for the two protagonists enough (although is Tyrus an antagonist? I can't decide). Tyrus's unapologetic acceptance of himself contrasted with Celia's pain and discontent tugged on my heartstrings, and I know their feelings and internal struggles resonated with a lot of my young readers. These two are real and believable, from their differing gifts, abilities, and challenges, to their sometimes fraught friendship, to their panic and also resourcefulness in the face of everything Wonderland throws at them.

It's been several months since I actually read this, and I would like to mention specifics that I loved, but I'll need to go back and re-read. I do know when that warm, delighted feeling fills me up when I think of a book, it's worth a share.

Highly recommend both to lovers of Alice in Wonderland and to younger readers who may not be familiar with the originals; this could be a fun way to introduce a reluctant classic consumer to that world.

Sweet relatable characters are set into the familiar framework of Lewis Carrol's Wonderland and their adventure is fun and perfect for middle grade kids who feel less than perfect. A fun read sure to delight.

A contemporary update of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Fun, fast paced and relevant. The changes to some of the characters make for a fresh story. It also helped the writer add important life lessons into the storyline, like apologizing when you hurt someone (intentionally or unintentionally.)

This was a lovely re-exploration of Wonderland, a place so many of us think we know but in this book there's so much more to discover. I liked that both main characters had depth to them, and were not cookie-cutter kids. Very enjoyable.

This book is the PERFECT Alice in Wonderland inspired middle grade novel I've had the pleasure to read.

Celia and Tyrus are very different, almost opposites. Tyrus loves to read, and has a great imagination. Celia has dyslexia and hates to read, but loves math and thinks very logically. What they have in common is being picked on for their differences. Just after Celia and Tyrus meet, they discover the lost journals of Lewis Carroll. They discover that not only is Wonderland real, but it’s in danger. Can they save Wonderland? Fun story full of puzzles and challenges for both logic and imagination.

This book was a wonderful combination of adventure story, the usefulness of math, and the thrill of solving puzzles, all with the help of a few friends gathered along the way.

I wanted this book to be so much more than it was! I am a big Alice in Wonderland fan and I love middle grade fantasy but this book was missing a little bit of a spark. Will still recommend this book to kids who like fantasy novels, but not as widely as I hoped.

I can’t believe I waited so long to read this book! It was fantastic! The characters were engaging, believable, and relatable! And the residents of Wonderland were perfectly executed! Lewis Carroll would recognize all his creations. They were just crazy enough and sensical enough to be in the original story! It was scary and exciting, funny and serious, crazy and logical. I couldn’t put it down! It makes me want to go back and read the original stories that inspired it and I will definitely be reading any sequels! I may even have to add it to my personal collection.

This is a fun story if you are an Alice in Wonderland fan. This story follows Celia and Tyrus who have found the Lost Diaries of Lewis Carroll who had written the classic story. They find themselves in a fantasy world alongside the White Rabbit and a changed Wonderland. It is a world of darkness now and some classic characters are not what we remember from the original story. During this story, we meet characters we know from the original story and some new characters too. There will be characters that help solve riddles while some characters bring danger. Will they help Wonderland or be trapped there forever?