Will promised his mom they wouldn't go into the fog. He promised to protect his siblings. Yet when they encounter a bully on the way to school, the fog seems far less dangerous than the middle-schooler throwing stones their way. Will leads his siblings into the wall of gray and across the old bridge . . . only to find himself in a strange world far from anything he knows.

He, his sister Kaylee, and his brother Ryan, along with the bully Hawk, suddenly face angry townsfolk and accusations of being spies. Chased, lost, and scared, they quickly realize they'll have to stick together if they want to escape capture and find their way home.

About Children of the Fog

Pam Zollman's middle grade fantasy Children of the Fog is a character-driven adventure full of mystery. The story follows three siblings and the bully from their school as they land themselves in a strange world with no idea how to get home. As the children learn more about this country, they also discover strange new abilities growing within them. Little by little, clues about their connection to this odd place come to light, bringing up more questions for every answer.

Their journey will bring them new allies, as well as enemies, and show each of the characters strengths they didn't know they had before.

What I Enjoyed

What I loved about this book was the way the character's perceptions change as they go through the story. Will and his siblings slowly learn to trust Hawk, even if it is a begrudging trust. They learn to see each other's strengths and have compassion for each other's weaknesses. Even though they still have a long way to go, each of the siblings and Hawk grow from fighting each other at every turn to relying on each other by the end.

Even so, a sharp word and a parting of ways leads the children to a cliffhanger that made me eager for the sequel.

This book is perfect for fans of soft fantasy -- realistic worlds blending into far off places with touches of magic coloring the borders. The relatable characters draw the reader in quickly, and the mystery of the world of the fog keeps them bound there.

Karley Conklin

Karley Conklin is a librarian by day, writer by night, and bookworm 24/7. She reviews books for Write2Ignite, as well as on her blog litwyrm.com