Chessie Bligh and the Scroll of Andelthor by Thora Gabriel

by Thora Gabriel

"Chessie Bligh is unaware of who she is and what power she possesses. She lives with her greedy parents, who farm her out to a string of nannies and private academies for her upbringing-parents who are so busy with their corporate management positions that they have little time for their daughter. Chessie's only solace in life is her Shih Tzu puppy, Wuggbert, who loves her unconditionally.Out of defiance, Chessie decides to trade places with another fourteen-year-old girl named Aelyn, who is traveling from Europe to America to attend school. While their flights are delayed in New York, the girls work out their plan. Chessie lands in a place called Sterntaler, German for ""star gazer."" Hidden from humans through magic, this elf encampment at the north rim of the Grand Canyon changes Chessie's life forever. She soon learns she has magical powers with which she can change the course of history. Chessie also learns that Sterntaler is not a place at all; it is a child's most fervent wish-a multidimensional world where shape shifting, spells, and magical creatures exist! And it is the place where Chessie's quest to find her elf destiny begins to unfold."

Paperback

First published November 2, 2006

About the author

The picture is me, my husband and my dog Bogie (age 16) standing on top of a peak named - Patterson, near the California Sierra. We are celebrating his list finish - 99 peaks on the Sierra Club Desert Peaks list. A few years later I completed the list and our list finish (he doubled - I singled) was on Orocopia, near Joshua Tree National Monument. Bogie supervised both events.

Here is an interview at BEA 2008 with Tara Paterson of Mom's Choice Awards.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fus...

Reviews

[Terry]

This is a YA fantasy about a young girl who is discovering her elf destiny. It is a fascinating, though slow, read. The characters are engaging, and you are regularly introduced to two or more at a time. While I love books with adventure and mystery, the complexity, shifts, and number of characters are overwhelming for a casual read. The reader knows something is going on with Gareth, but it is dragged on too long.

To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.

[Thora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I'm partial to this story....I should be.....and I've read it over 100 times. I do think kids need adventure stories and I love the setting of the Grand Canyon...a magical place even without elves.