Forbidden Forests

Forbidden Places in Children's Fiction 

 

The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse by Brian Farrey

• Pub Date: 2016
• Grades 4-6 interest 
• Diversity: POC main character
• See also: Unusual Princesses 
• Aon and Jeniah agree to explore the Dreadwillow Carse despite all the warnings against it. 

 

The Thickety: A Path Begins by J. A. White

• Pub Date: 2014
• Grades 5-8 interest
• Kara discovers a magic book in the Thickety and learns to do magic from it even though magic is forbidden in her village. 

 

Wildwood by Colin Meloy

• Pub Date: 2011
• Grades 4-7 interest
• Prue has to enter into the Impassable Forest to rescue her brother. 

 

As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds

• Pub Date: 2016
• Grades 5-8 interest
• Diversity: African-American characters
• See also in Children's: Intergenerational, Words/Language, Divorce
• See also in Teen: Extended Family, Guilt 
• Genie's grandfather has a secret room he calls the Nunya Business room. 

 

Missing on Superstition Mountain by Elise Broach

• Pub Date: 2011
• Grades 4-6 interest
• See also: Research 
• Henry, Simon, and Jack are warned to stay away from Superstition Mountain. 

 

The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh

• Pub Date: 2017
• Grades 5-8 interest
• See also: Words, In Verse, Only Child, Starting Middle School, Teachers/Librarians
• As Bea and her friend will want to break in to a labyrinth on an estate.

 

Forest of Wonders by Linda Sue Park

• Pub Date: 2016
• Grades 4-6 interest
• See also: Animals, Extended family 
• The forest of Wonders is not exactly "forbidden" but most people stay away except apothecaries like Raffa and his family.