Title: Return to the Magic Cornfield: A Love so Forever
Author: Todd Bernacil
Publisher: Primedia eLaunch LLC
ISBN: 979-8892179454
Pages: 453
Genre: Fantasy/ Action/ Adventure
Reviewer: Lily Amanda
Hollywood Book Reviews
Return to the Magic Cornfield: A Love so Forever by author Todd Bernacil is a spellbinding children’s novel about a world that – until an elementary school teacher reveals a secret that causes her students to prove otherwise – is generally believed to be legendary.
A 28-year-old teacher at Sunfield Elementary School named Heather Hazelkin has been keeping a dark secret from everyone. One year ago, she fell from the tour wagon while on a field trip with her first graders at Hagglehoff Farm, a nearby farmstead, only to be magically transported to Maizeland, a fairyland inside a gigantic cornfield. She returned, awestruck by the event, and wrote a children’s book in which she was the main character. The book became so popular that it was included in the curriculum.
One day, while reading the story book to her class, her silk coat and ladybug pendant unexpectedly lit up, much to the astonishment of her class. They are further taken aback when the necklace momentarily changes into a real ladybug. James, Evans, Zorro, and Ted in particular are unable to conceal their shock and curiosity, particularly after Ted succeeds in getting Heather to tell him her secret. They devise a plan in which they will hunt for clues in her book on how to go to the mystery cornfield. Before Heather knows they are watching her, her silk cloak is gone. Later when she stumbles upon a decoy, a cold shudder runs down her spine as she fears the worst.
This story imaginatively debunks a generation-old story and myth. It lurks from every vantage point, with dangerous creatures, startling proposals, and discoveries that make a satisfying ending appear unattainable. With a stunning twist, it suddenly opens a new setting, which convincingly suits the protagonist, who has not only found love but also established a slew of friends therein. In the novel, the author skillfully incorporates communist themes that the reader may interpret as being the same as the horrifying situations he utilizes with the talking doll, vampire rats, and piranhas. He has created a parallel realm in which the heroine takes on difficult tasks that transform certain individuals from darkness to light and make them feel valued, which further cements her special position in the readers’ hearts.
Return to the Magic Cornfield: A Love so Forever explores deep mystics, mind-boggling secrets, and the world beyond the obvious, and it rates well among young children’s favorite books. For the intended audience, it could be a bit lengthy, hence can be read in bits, but it also makes up for this by frequently shifting the focus to new, more thrilling, yet tense occurrences. Because it is engaging, children will enjoy this story as a way to unwind on weekends or after school. However, given the storyline’s intermittent intricacy, parental guidance could be necessary. Return to the Magic Cornfield: A Love so Forever is a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts and those who appreciate stories of enduring love and courage.