The story opens with an intro to 10-year-old Jai, her name means ‘Victory’ and is absolutely well-suited for her character. Jai embarks on a fantastical adventure that will capture the imaginations of young and old alike.
"The Water Tree Way" book begins with a beautiful foreword by Dr. Jane Goodall. Dr. Goodall writes, “The overriding message concerns the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of understanding how all life is interconnected. The importance of not always taking things at face value.”
The book's author, Ruth Mendelson , is a renowned film composer and the first woman at Berklee College of Music to teach in the Film Scoring Department. Never having penned a book before, Mendelson felt called to bring this fantastical story of Jai (pronounced "Jay") into the world.
The heroine of the book, Jai, is a free-spirited 10-year-old girl filled with spunk, an unwavering sense of adventure, brash courage, and the most accurate fast-pitch of anyone in her school. Guided by a magical Water Tree Leaf, Jai is catapulted on an adventure where she discovers a world of fantastical and unlikely characters from both the natural and supernatural worlds. Despite her valiant effort to follow The Rules, Jai discovers that some of life’s most profound lessons come from outlandish dreams and dazzling blunders. In fact, this is a story about the triumph of the human spirit. The book invites all to delve into the most magnificent, mysterious, and necessary of places: inward.
Through this grand adventure, Jai is tested time and time again and learns invaluable life lessons with each test. The resounding messages of patience, perseverance, conviction and love are evident throughout the narrative-a moral thread that Mendelson has expertly woven into her story and rings true for all ages. “The world is rarely fair, dear.... But most important is that you stay centered and never return a mistake with a mistake. Remember this, dear one. Remember when the world has forgotten.”
When looking for a summer read, "The Water Tree Way" is a must. A timeless story that is touching for readers young and old.
