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Lalani of the Distant Sea

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2019

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Book Brief

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Erin Entrada Kelly

Lalani of the Distant Sea

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2019
Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Sanlagita • Fantasy World

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

600L

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Super Short Summary

In Lalani of the Distant Sea, a 12-year-old girl named Lalani Sarita embarks on a perilous journey across the Veiled Sea to find a mythical flower on Mount Isa to cure her mother and bring prosperity to her oppressed island of Sanlagita. Along the way, she faces monsters, encounters deceptive characters, and ultimately discovers her own strength and courage. The narrative explores themes of bravery, compassion, and the significance found in the smallest of individuals or actions.

Adventurous

Mysterious

Fantastical

Emotional

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.2

3,803 ratings

71%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Erin Entrada Kelly's Lalani of the Distant Sea has been praised for its lush, poetic prose and rich, imaginative world-building reminiscent of folklore. Reviewers appreciate its strong, determined heroine and depth of cultural inspiration. However, some find the pacing uneven and certain plot elements predictable. Overall, it's a captivating, heartfelt story suitable for middle-grade readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Lalani of the Distant Sea?

Readers who enjoy Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly are typically fans of rich, culturally-inspired fantasy. Similar to those who love Grace Lin's Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon, they appreciate strong heroines, mythology, and enchanting adventures.

4.2

3,803 ratings

71%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

400

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Sanlagita • Fantasy World

Publication Year

2019

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

600L

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