Amanda Greenleaf Visits a Distant Star

P.J. Hammel is a professor of Education at the University of
Saskatchewan.

Amanda Greenleaf is the guardian of a waterfall on an unnamed star. In the sky she sees the Blue Star (Earth?) which seems to mysteriously attract her; but rumour has it that the Blue Star is inhospitable and dangerous. Amanda, however, cannot rid herself of the feeling of attraction. With the permission of the queen, she takes off on the back of a giant dragonfly and soon arrives on a planet much like Earth. The rumours have obviously been erroneous, for she sees only one military patrol. Amanda’s love and generosity towards fellow creatures rewards her with the gift of a flute and the talent to play music — which has never been heard on her planet. Amanda returns to her home star where she becomes the official music instructor for the land.

Such an unlikely plot is, of course, the stuff of which fantasy is made; unfortunately it does not come off in this book. This is a slow, rather plodding, exposition of an imaginative plot. Although the author hints at the possibility of adventure, mystery and suspense, they are never fully realized. Young readers will find it difficult to stay with to the end.