Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger (21 page)

KENDRA SAT ON THE SPROUTING STOOL in Winter Woodsong’s cluttered room and welcomed the warm sunshine that was beaming through the open window. It had been three weeks since the girl and her companions had returned to Een, but it had not been until today that she had been able to leave the house and come to Faun’s End. This was due to Uncle Griffinskitch; for even though the nectar of the fireflower had saved his life, the old wizard was still very weak and Kendra had been very busy nursing him back to health.

Now that her uncle was on the mend, Kendra had taken the opportunity to visit Winter Woodsong. Professor Bumblebean had related all of their adventures to the old sorceress, but Kendra knew Winter would want to see her in person. So here she sat, watching the ancient woman as she bustled about in the corner of the chamber, making some dandelion tea.

“You certainly look livelier, Elder Woodsong, since the last time I saw you,” Kendra commented, not sure what else to say. She still felt uncomfortable around the old sorceress, especially when it was just the two of them alone.

“You’re kind to say so,” Winter said, shuffling up with a cup of tea for her.

“Will you return to the council, then?” Kendra asked.

“No, I’m afraid not,” Winter replied. The old woman found a stool and with a wave of her staff cleared it of a pile of books so that she could sit down next to Kendra. “Burdock Brown rules the Elders now,” Winter explained. “He would never allow me to take my seat, for he knows I would oppose him on so many of these cruel things he is trying to do.”

“Someone needs to stop him,” Kendra blurted.

“Indeed!” Winter agreed. “But it will not be me. No, I prefer the solitude of my chamber these days. I guess it comes with old age. If only the fireflower would cure
that!
But I’m glad to hear, child, that the flower has helped your uncle recover.”

“Yes,” Kendra said, taking a sip of her tea. “He’s almost his old self again.”

“Which means a lot of ‘humphing,’ I suppose,” Winter said, a twinkle in her eye.

“I suppose,” Kendra said with a laugh.

For a time they sat there quietly, drinking their tea. It always seemed to be that way with Winter, Kendra realized. You could sit for several minutes with the old woman, without a word being said.

Then finally, Winter spoke. “Well, it seems you have solved the mystery of what became of your family,” she commented.

“Many questions have been answered,” Kendra said forlornly, “but still I have no family.”

“Ah, but you do,” Winter said. “They’re just not with you at this moment.”

Kendra nodded and absent-mindedly reached into her pocket to toy with her brother’s compass. She carried the compass with her everywhere now; just having it next to her made her feel better somehow. It was like having a tiny piece of Kiro with her.

“Is something on your mind?” Winter asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Kendra said after a moment. “It’s . . . well, it’s about my brother. What if Kiro is still an Unger? And what if my parents are too? Is there any way to change them back, now that the door has been destroyed?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know,” Winter replied. “The Door to Unger has been closed forever. That is a good thing, for it means no Een will ever know its curse again. But for those who still carry the curse? Well, we can only hope there is a way to bring them home one day.”

“I’m determined to find my family,” Kendra told her. “I suppose there will be another journey for me, yet.”

Winter chuckled, her face crinkling with wrinkles. “Child, I think there will be many journeys for you ahead. I’m afraid you’re just not the stay-at-home type. You’re too much like your mother.”

Kendra smiled and found herself gazing upon the stone carving above Winter’s bed. It had only been two months since Kendra had last seen the picture, but somehow it seemed liked years.

“The scene looks different to me now,” Kendra remarked.

“How so?” Winter asked.

“Before I thought I saw a great battle between Eens and Ungers and the other monsters,” Kendra replied.

“And now?”

“I don’t know,” Kendra said. “It’s almost as if . . . as if somehow the figures are all dancing together. Isn’t it strange that it seems so different to me now?”

“Ah, such is the magic of art,” Winter said, a twinkle in her old eyes. “You think the art has changed, but it has not all, child. It has remained exactly the same.”

“Then what is it?” Kendra wondered.

“Why, it’s you, child!” Winter remarked with a merry laugh. “The change has been in
you
.”

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Readers Respond

to Kendra Kandlestar

Lee Edward Födi shares some of his favorite letters

My favorite Kendra Kandlestar book is
Kendra Kandlestar and The Door to Unger!
My favorite part is when Kendra and Troogul are in the underwater cave and Kendra finds Kiro’s compass. My favorite character would have to be Uncle Griffinskitch because of his signature “humph.”

~ Matthew, age 10

I love your book
Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers!
It is the best book I have ever read! My favorite characters are Jinx, Kendra, and Oki! Kendra because she is kind, think for herself and of other too! Jinx because she has courage, muscle and, best of all, power. I wish I was her. Oki is a very funny character, since he always thinks about onions. I will read this book a lot in my lifetime.

~ Carmen, age 10

Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger
is fantastic! It rocks! And the illustrations are really good; they’re fantastic! I want to draw like you!

~ Danny, age 10

I have read the book
Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers
and
Kendra Kandlestar the Door to Unger
. It was really good. My favorite character is Oki. I like Oki because he is really funny. On the first book he was thinking about onions but on the second book he started thinking about turnips.

~ Shaira, age 11

Your books are extremely cool and awesome. My favorite character is Oki because of his “EEKS” and “Don’t think about onions” (Uncle Griffinskitch taught him that). My favorite parts are when Uncle Griffinskitch “humphs”. My favorite book was
Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger
.

~ Alex, age 7

I love this book,
The Box of Whispers
, because it’s so magical. My favourite characters are Kendra because she is magical, Oki because he is cute, and Jinx because she is so powerful. This book is magical and adventurous.

~ Bella, age 10

I thought the
Door to Unger
was a really good book. My favourite scene was when the Door to Unger collapsed. My favourite character is Ratchet Ringtail because he is a funny inventor with inventions that don’t quite work.

~ Matt, age 10

I like how you wrote
Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger
. My favorite characters are Kendra because she is brave, strong and she has a mind of her own and Oki because you draw Oki so cute. I wish there is the third book of Kendra Kandlestar.

~ Kathlene, age 10

I just finished your second book the other night. I just cant wait to get the rest of your books. I hope you do lots! They are me number ONE books. My favorite characters are Jinx, Uncle Griffinskitch, Kendra, and Oki: Jinx because she is strong, Uncle Griffinskitch because he humphs lots, Kendra because she is the main character and Oki because he is honest.

~ Freddy, age 9

I stayed up all night reading
Kendra Kandlestar and the Box of Whispers
. I couldn’t stop reading. It was a great book. I love the detail. It definitely brought it to life. I found the idea interesting because everyone kind of has a box of whispers of their own. Some people choose to open it and some choose to keep it locked.

~ Willow, age 11

I have just finished reading
The Door to Unger
. I have also read
The Box of Whispers
. Every night my mom and I would take turns reading a couple chapters. We both loved your books so much we looked up your web site. Mom and I both love Trooogul and Kendra, the way they teased each other just like brothers and sisters “wouldzum.”

~ Amanda, age 10

I want to have my hair like Kendra, but I think I will look very wierd. Even if I have my hair like that, I am not wearing it to school. I need your advice. Should I?

~ Alison, age 10

I thought
Kendra Kandlestar and the Door to Unger
was the best book ever! Whenever I read your book, I thought it had only been five minutes, but when I looked it had been half an hour! One of my favorite parts was when they met Effryn Hagglehorn, when Skeezle was making its way up the tree and Effryn Hagglehorn did a spell to make the snail become a giant snail! I really, really enjoy reading your books and look forward to the next Kendra Kandlestar book.

~ Alanah, age 12

I am in love with the kendra books! I gust moved and where ever I go I will always have kendra with me! I love kenda so much that I dressed up for her on dress your favorite book charecter day! Bye!

~ Emily, age 8

I love the Kendra Kandlestar series. My favorite character is Oki because he’s really funny.

~ Kaitlyn, age 8

I LOVE your books! I don’t have a favourite character because they are all equally awesome. I love all the books, but I like the
Shard from Greeve
more. I couldn’t but your books down and that is how I read all three in four days. Its true. Trust me. you have to write more books of Kendra Kandlstar! If you don’t I’ll have Trooogul throw you into the rumble pit. No I’m just kidding. Your to awesome awesome to be thrown into the rumble pit, so you’ll be grounded from TV for a month. Seriously though you should write more Kendra Kandlestar books.

~ Mary, age 12

Without you, there would be no Kendra, Oki, Jinx, Uncle Griffinskitch, Ratchet, Trooogul, and Professor Bumblebean or Bumblebrat (what Jinx would say). I love Kendra. Your number 1 fan.

~ Nomair, age 9

Last Semester, I made
Kandra Kandlestar and the Shard from Greeve
the topic of my project. Everybody, including myself, was gratified to discover such a good work. I liked the fact that Kendra had seven braids; it is highly unusual. My favorite character is Oki, while my classmate’s favorite character is Queen Krake! I am excited about your fourth book.

~ Jessie, age 10

I love kendra! This book is so magical! But I wish I knew how old is Uncle Griffinskitch. I can’t wait to see if the Kendra books continue!

~ Michelle, age 8

I just finshed your books. Ireally like it. I hope you make another book. I like Kendra, Oki, Captain Jinx, Uncle Grifinskitch, proffesor Bumblebean, and Ratchet.

~ Ryan, age 10