Across the Green Grass Fields

Gr 6 Up–McGuire’s latest “Wayward Children” book is a standalone novel set in the series’ universe. The story follows Regan, an 11-year-old girl dealing with a toxic friendship and unwelcome news from her parents that she is biologically intersex. When she tries to confide in her best friend that, despite the news, she still feels that she is a girl, she is immediately humiliated and ostracized. On her way home from school, she comes across a door in the middle of nowhere. Thinking it is an art display of some sort, Regan walks through the door and into a magical world of centaurs, unicorns, kelpies, and more. She is quickly adopted by a herd of centaurs and told humans are brought into the Hooflands to fulfill their destiny. Regan is happy to stay with the centaurs until years have passed and she can no longer avoid her destiny to save the world and then disappear forever. Readers will enjoy growing up with Regan and learning about family and friendships. With the support of her adopted centaur family, Regan finds that she has the power to decide her own fate.