UNICORN ISLAND: BEYOND THE PORTAL
The final Volume 3 is available to order now!
Andrews McMeel (Simon & Schuster)
Out NOW 4/4/23
By: Donna Galanti
Illustrated by: Bethany Stancliffe
The secrets of Unicorn Island are all revealed in the final book in Epic’s middle-grade fantasy series! When Sam and Tuck discover a way to unlock the answers they’ve been seeking, they must set out to discover the truth…
For Sam, knowing a little about her mother’s disappearance through the portal is almost worse than knowing nothing at all. Determined to distract herself, she tries to learn everything possible about caring for the herd on Unicorn Island. But when she and her friend Tuck stumble on a coded verse in The Unicorn Protector Creed, they are faced with an even greater task.
With no way of knowing what’s beyond it, Sam, Tuck, and Barloc the unicorn step through the portal and find that not only is Sam’s mother no longer a unicorn protector, she also lives in a world plagued by its own problems—and convinced that the only solution to them rests in the horn on Barloc’s head.
With the portal closing at sundown on the third day, Sam and Tuck are in a race to rescue their friend, reunite their families, and save another world from a terrible fate of its own making!
REVIEWS:
“An engaging finale to this epic series.” Read 5 More Things to Like About Beyond the Portal by Always in the Middle Blog
“Once again, Donna Galanti pens an exciting tale sure to inspire young readers to keep turning the pages.” Read more by A Library Mama.
“I enjoyed how Galanti explored the grays of the world and that sometimes not everything is as it first seems…This last book showed a lot of character growth and emphasized standing up for your principles…It has strong kid appeal.” Read more by Log Cabin Library Blog
“I highly recommend the Unicorn Island series. Children will have hours of fun on Sam and Tuck’s adventures, playing on Unicorn Island, solving mysteries and making new friends of the supernatural kind.” Read more by Fundinmental Blog
UNICORN ISLAND: SECRET BENEATH THE SAND
Order Volume 2!
Out now by Andrews McMeel (Simon & Schuster)
By: Donna Galanti
Illustrated by: Bethany Stancliffe
In Volume 2 of the series, Sam and Tuck are on their way to becoming unicorn protectors when they discover new secrets about the island that threaten unicorns’ existence!
Sam can’t believe how much her life and luck have changed since she came to Foggy Harbor: First, she discovered that unicorns are real, and now she’s on her way to becoming an actual unicorn protector! With her new friend, Tuck, by her side during Uncle Mitch’s lessons, Sam finally feels like she’s home.
But as the long-buried dangers of Unicorn Island begin to surface and a mysterious scourge spreads throughout the herd, Sam learns the truth behind Aunt Sylvie’s disappearance and her own connection to the island. With determination, courage, and fierce loyalty to one another—and to their code as unicorn protectors—the kids set out to protect the island’s secrecy and the unicorns’ very existence.
Download these fun Secret Beneath the Sand activities! If you purchase the book, I’d love to send you a bookmark and autographed book plate label for you—or another special reader. Just email me your address and who you’d like the book personalized for at donna@donnagalanti.com.
Unicorn Island
Order the hardcover of Volume 1 by Andrews McMeel (Simon & Schuster)
By: Donna Galanti
Illustrated by: Bethany Stancliffe
Off the South Carolina coast, a young girl discovers a mysterious island full of mythical beasts and darker dangers. Beyond the mist lies a magical secret waiting to be discovered . . .
From Epic! Originals, Unicorn Island is a middle-grade illustrated novel series about a young girl who discovers a mysterious island full of mythical beasts and darker dangers!
When Sam arrives in Foggy Harbor, population 3,230, all she can see is a small, boring town that’s way too far from home. And knowing that she’s stuck there all summer with her grumpy Uncle Mitch only makes things worse.
But when Sam discovers a hidden trapdoor leading to a room full of strange artifacts, she realizes Foggy Harbor isn’t as sleepy as it seems. With the help of a new friend, Sam discovers an extraordinary secret beyond the fog: an island of unicorns whose fates are intertwined with hers.
**BIG NEWS**
There will be a third and final book in the Unicorn Island series! I am so excited to be working with Epic again to create volume 3 and the ending will literally BE epic! I’m already plotting the end (and new characters!) and can’t wait to deliver this final story. Watch for this story to come out in spring 2022 on the Epic platform, followed by illustrated hardcover.
Unicorn Island Interviews and Reviews:
Listen to me talk on Teaching Books blog tour about the backstory of Unicorn Island, how my childhood helped me write magical stories, and hear me read an excerpt! Plus, there’s a fun recording of my name and what I think of it. And I share a writing prompt and more!
I share behind scenes ideas of Unicorn Island on Reading With Your Kids Podcast.
Review by Reader Views Kids. “Things were so exciting I couldn’t wait to keep reading to find out what would happen next!”
5 Things to Like About Unicorn Island with Always in the Middle book blog. “Will for sure capture your imagination.”
Read an excerpt of Unicorn Island on The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow plus a review. “Anyone who enjoys magic will fall right into this story.”
A fun interview plus 3 fun facts about unicorns on Word Spelunking book blog!
Interview plus review on Geo Librarian blog. Find out my favorite part of writing! “A fun fantasy book .”
Review of Unicorn Island on Fundimental book blog. “A beautifully written coming of age fantasy.”
Download these fun Unicorn Island activities!
Make your own banner, bookmark, and door hanger!
Get access here to the entire Unicorn Island series in a 10-part serial at the award-winning, leading digital library for kids: https://www.getepic.com/!
