About this item

Magic and mayhem abound in this fantasy adventure from the author of The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place.Young dairymaid Begonia has lost her cow Alfalfa. So she has set off on a search across the countryside even though she has nothing but a magical map to guide her. Along the way she meets a mother and baby, a woodcutter, a very dirty young man, and an eight-foot ostrich. Meanwhile, the emperor has gone missing from the royal palace in a most mysterious manner. Was it murder? Was it magic? It will take all of Begonia's wits to save the empire and get Alfalfa home safely.



About the Author

Julie Berry

Julie Berry grew up in western New York. She holds a BS from Rensselaer in communication and an MFA from Vermont College in writing for children and young adults. She now lives in southern California with her husband and four sons. "The Emperor's Ostrich," Julie's newest middle grade from Roaring Brook, earned a Booklist star. "The Passion of Dolssa" (Viking, 2016) , won an ALA Printz Honor, was a New York Times Notable title, earned five stars, and was named to many best of year lists. Her middle grade novel, "The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place" (Roaring Brook, 2014) received an Odyssey Honor, was named a Wall Street Journal Top Ten Children's Book of 2014, and was named to the Dorothy Canfield Fisher list. "All the Truth That's in Me" (Viking, 2013) was Julie's first YA novel. It has earned starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, BCCB, and the Horn Book. It's been named a Horn Book Fanfare title, a School Library Journal Best Book of 2013, a Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of 2013, and a Junior Library Guild selection. It was shortlisted for a Carnegie Medal and a YALSA BFYA award. It was published in 14 international countries and territories. Julie is also the author of "The Amaranth Enchantment" and "Secondhand Charm" (Bloomsbury) and the "Splurch Academy for Disruptive Boys" series (Penguin Books for Young Readers) . Julie's works appear in audio and international versions worldwide.



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