The Search for WondLa
Table of Contents
About The Book
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Tony DiTerlizzi’s New York Times bestselling, richly illustrated The Search for Wondla series with this first installment of the modern classic space-age adventure featuring an all-new look.
When a marauder destroys the underground sanctuary that Eva Nine was raised in by the robot Muthr, the twelve-year-old girl is forced to flee aboveground. Eva Nine is searching for anyone else like her: She knows that other humans exist because of an item she treasures—a scrap of cardboard on which is depicted a young girl, an adult, and a robot, with the strange word, “WondLa.” Can she find where she belongs?
Reading Group Guide
The Search for WondLa
by Tony DiTerlizzi
Discussion Questions
1. What is a family? What elements make a family? Does color, size, or shape make a difference in what a family consists of? Is it possible for a robot to be a family member?
2. Was Muthr a good mother to Eva? Was she able to teach Eva life lessons? Did she have a loving spirit? How does a robot show love?
3. Muthr believed computer technology was omniscient. Was Muthr correct in her beliefs? Give examples from the book to verify your answers.
4. Muthr had a list of six basic survival skills for humans: 1. Trust technology 2. Signal others 3. Find shelter 4. Create fire 5. Procure food and water 6. Know first aid. How did these skills help or hinder Eva’s survival in the “real world”? Given her experience, did Eva find the list was in correct order for survival? Explain your answer.
5. Lewis and Clark, John Audubon and Charles Darwin, are all greatly admired people who captured “new” creatures, observed them, killed them, and dissected them all in an attempt to understand them. Are Zin, Besteel, Queen Ojo and the taxidermist any different from them?
6. As Eva begins her journey, she meets a cerulean named Rovender. Is there any significance to his name? As an adult, Rovender views his relationship to Eva very differently than Eva views their relationship. How do they view their relationship to each other? As the book progresses, does their relationship change? If so how does it change?
7. In Roman mythology, who or what does Orbona represent? Is there any significance to Eva?
8. While attempting to escape from Besteel, Eva was saved by the Wandering Forest. Rovender tells Eva he has never seen a forest respond as it did. Why did the forest come to Eva’s aid? In your opinion, what does it mean?
9. When Eva is visiting Lacus Besteel attacks her. Even though Eva is surrounded by villagers, no one responds to her cry for help. Have there been times in your life when you may have felt isolated and alone even though there were people all around you? Give an example.
10. As Eva walks through the village of Lacus, she takes out her omnipod to take pictures. Rovender is upset and tells her several times to put it away. What is wrong with taking pictures? How can taking pictures be harmful?
11. The author has said he was inspired by classic stories, fairy tales, and movies while writing this book. Eva’s WondLa belongs to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Can you see any similarities from other stories in this book? If so, which ones?
12. Would you describe Eva as a resourceful person who uses her skills and wit to solve her problems? Give reasons to support your answer.
This reading group guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.
About The Author
#1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi has been creating children’s books for over twenty years. From fanciful picture books like The Spider & the Fly to chapter book series like the Search for WondLa, DiTerlizzi imbues his stories with a rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle grade series the Spiderwick Chronicles, which has sold 20 million copies, been adapted into a feature film, and been translated in over thirty countries. The Norman Rockwell Museum’s exhibition “Never Abandon Imagination” featured artwork from the beginning of DiTerlizzi’s career as a contributing artist for Dungeons & Dragons and broke attendance records. He has been featured in Time magazine and USA TODAY and on CNN, PBS, NPR, the BBC, and the Today show.
About The Illustrator
#1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi has been creating children’s books for over twenty years. From fanciful picture books like The Spider & the Fly to chapter book series like the Search for WondLa, DiTerlizzi imbues his stories with a rich imagination. With Holly Black, he created the middle grade series the Spiderwick Chronicles, which has sold 20 million copies, been adapted into a feature film, and been translated in over thirty countries. The Norman Rockwell Museum’s exhibition “Never Abandon Imagination” featured artwork from the beginning of DiTerlizzi’s career as a contributing artist for Dungeons & Dragons and broke attendance records. He has been featured in Time magazine and USA TODAY and on CNN, PBS, NPR, the BBC, and the Today show.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (September 21, 2010)
- Length: 496 pages
- ISBN13: 9781442413030
- Ages: 10 - 99
- Lexile ® 760L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®
Awards and Honors
- Thumbs Up! Award Top Ten Title (MI)
- Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (IN)
- Indian Paintbrush Book Award Nominee (WY)
- Maine Student Book Award Reading List
- Land of Enchantment RoadRunner Award Nominee (NM)
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Search for WondLa eBook 9781442413030
- Author Photo (jpg): Tony DiTerlizzi Photo credit: Kim Pilla(1.2 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
