Elias Martin    by Nicola Davies & Fran Shum Order:  USA  Can Graffeg, 2017 (2017) Hardcover      Reviewed by Jessica Maguire Birch is the embodiment of love, joy, and nature. However, the Birch to whom I refer is not a tree. She is a mysterious, mystical, and wild girl of the North. Elias lives where most dare not to dwell, alone in the isolated woods of the far North. The 'snow lies thick on the ground from October to April.' Survival, to say the least, is a challenge. Fate brings Elias and Birch together. The woodsman returns home one day to find delicate little Birch asleep on his wood pile. Elias has not the heart to leave Birch to the harsh wild, where she will surely perish. Grudgingly, he takes the girl in as his own, though he knows nothing of raising a child. Though Birch is the child, she teaches Elias about the wonders of nature, of not fighting nor conquering the wilderness, but being part of it. A surprise twist at the story's end will mesmerize nine to twelve year old readers as will the captivating pen and ink drawings that enhance this whimsical story. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews