THE VILLAGE BEYOND THE MIST, by Sachiko Kashiwaba (Author), Miho Satake (Illustrator), Avery Fischer Udagawa (translator), Yonder, May 27, 2025, Hardcover, $18 (ages 8-12)
Fifty years after its debut, The Village Beyond the Mist, a middle-grade novel by Sachiko Kashiwaba, is now available in English.
Lina’s father had suggested she go “someplace different” for the summer, and she’s beginning to wish she hadn’t listened. She could be at her grandma’s house in Nagano now, instead of trudging through a forest in search of a town that might not even exist. But when a gust of wind carries off her umbrella, it leads Lina down a secret path between the trees to a strange and incredible world. In the hidden village of Misty Valley, centaurs roam the cobblestone streets and gnomes visit shops stuffed with spellbooks and enchanted desserts. All magic has a dark side, though, and sometimes even sorcerers need a human’s helping hand. —Synopsis provided by Yonder
The Village Beyond the Mist is the book that inspired Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001 film, Spirited Away. Now translated from Japanese to English by Avery Fischer Udagawa, The Village Beyond the Mist holds up to the test of time.
At the center of the story is Lina, a plucky girl who finds herself in a weird and wonderful village full of equally weird and wonderful characters. As Lina “earns her keep” she comes into her own. Lina is a quiet, introspective girl that will resonate with young readers.
There’s not a lot of “big” action in The Village Beyond the Mist, but that doesn’t mean it moves slowly. In fact, it’s the opposite. At just 160 pages, there’s a lot to unpack, and it’s done in a comfortable and accessible voice. Add in the expressive black-and-white illustrations, and you’ve got the whole package.
The Village Beyond the Mist is an engaging and atmospheric fantasy.
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