Author(s): Melissa De La Cruz

Junior Fiction

For Red, growing up in Wonderland has been no piece of cake (literally—dessert is outlawed, along with birthdays, dancing and merriment of any kind). Her mum, the Queen of Hearts, rules the kingdom with an iron sceptre, while Red longs for a life of her own, away from the madness. She’s heard rumours about an island that once housed all the villains of folklore. A place with no rules? It sounds perfect to Red. But then the Queen declares that Red will be the one to issue the royal decree at the annual Wonderland Tea Ceremony (a.k.a. she has to come up with all the new ridiculous laws), and Red knows she needs to do something major. She doesn’t want to follow in her mother’s crimson-heeled footsteps for everyone to see, nor does she want Wonderland to remain the un-fun kingdom she’s always known. So she bands together with new friends, Ace and Chester, to plan the ultimate rebellion: a party. Little does she know that they’ll be setting off a chain of events (or un-events) that could change things forever.