Welcome to the Book Page for The Other Realm, a fantasy novel by Tristan Hui, age 14, winner of the 2020 Stone Soup Annual Book Contest, published on September 1, 2021 by Children’s Art Foundation–Stone Soup Inc. Awards & Listings 2021: The Other Realm was announced as a silver medalist for the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards in the category of Best Book by Youth Author (under 18). Launched in 2007, the Moonbeam Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to celebrate children’s books and life-long reading. Press, Interviews, & Events Interview with Stone Soup contributor Lena Aloise, 12 In this shorter interview, Lena and Tristan talk about the value of Stone Soup & all things The Other Realm, from where Tristan got her inspiration to her writing process to what she wants readers to take away from the novel. For a longer, more personal look inside Tristan’s process writing The Other Realm, click here. Reviews Review by Ismini Vasiloglou, 12 Tristan Hui’s The Other Realm is a story of family and adventure sure to enthrall even the most hesitant reader. After falling into a dimension parallel to her world, Azalea Morroe sets off on a quest to save the job of her eccentric father. Along the way, she befriends Sunny, a 15-year-old native in search of her older brother, and Sam, a 10-year-old ghost desperate to flee the unrelenting Prileidian Desert. Together, they make their way towards the city of Cambelt, facing numerous challenges guaranteed to capture the reader’s attention. The Other Realm is a quick but enticing five-star read. The prose is beautiful, rich, and vivid. From the “graying aspens” to the “glaring sun,” I felt as if I were trekking through the sweltering desert myself. Tristan writes, “Azalea was crouched on the hard, dry ground of an expansive desert, the air hazy and landscape painted in muted hues.” Tristan seems to have carefully chosen each word, making the landscape spring to life. Additionally, the plot is fresh and easy to follow, but complex enough that the reader constantly wants more. The characters are well-rounded, dynamic, and relatable. While this book is action-packed, much internal conflict occurs, and we see the characters evolve from start to finish. I also love how Tristan explores family bonds. I’ve had many moments these past few years where I’ve taken a comment or critique from my family too personally and ended up hurt or ignored. Through characters like Sunny, Tristan shows that no matter what blows are exchanged, the love of family trumps all. Not only that, the protagonist, Azalea, demonstrates how far she is willing to go to help her family as she continues to persevere to save her father’s job, despite all the challenges thrown her way. I would have liked to see more growth in the main character, but overall Tristan Hui’s The Other Realm is a must-read for lovers of fantasy, adventure, and magical realism.
Stone Soup author interview
Highlights from the Stone Soup Author Interviews: What is your Favorite Thing About Writing?
Our authors tell Stone Soup contributor and 20-21 intern Anya Geist, 14, their favorite things about writing. 0:24 – Tatiana Schrayer, 12 1:07 – Liam Hancock, 12 1:24 – Georgia Marshall, 11 2:07 – Analise Braddock, 9 2:26 – Lucy Rados, 13 2:57 – Shelby Miller, 11 3:10 – Tilly Marlow, 11 3:40 – Katie Pausin, 11 4:03 – Enni Harlan, 13 4:19 – Sasha Miller, 8 4:26 – Lena Aloise, 11
Stone Soup Author Interview: Katie Pausin
Stone Soup contributor and 20-21 intern Anya Geist, 14, talks with Stone Soup newcomer Katie Pausin, 11, about her unfinished picture book about a traveling penguin, how Erin Hunter’s Warrior Cats series inspires her to write in different points of view, and the importance of quiet in breeding creativity. 0:19 – How were you introduced to Stone Soup? 0:47 – Do you subscribe to Stone Soup and if so for how long have you been a subscriber? 0:54 – Have you ever submitted anything to Stone Soup? 1:12 – Do you think you would want to submit anything in the future? 1:35 – What is your favorite part about the Writing Workshop? 1:55 – Which Writing Workshop was your favorite? 2:16 – What is your favorite part about Book Club? 2:44 – What was your favorite part about the Summer Camp? 3:10 – What was your picture book about? 3:36 – Are there any specific books, authors, or artists that inspire your writing/art? 4:30 – Are there any artists whose work you particularly like? 4:55 – Do you get artistic inspiration from your own life? 5:17 – Do you prefer to write in the genre of personal narrative? 5:45 – What kind of stuff do you like to draw? 6:10 – What is your favorite thing about writing? 6:37 – Do you like to include descriptive language in your writing? 6:45 – What is your favorite thing about art? 7:12 – How much time do you spend writing/making art? 8:18 – Is the art you do for fun different from the art you do for school? 9:23 – Do you think the writing you do for fun is different from the writing you do for school? 10:42 – Do you have a favorite place to write or draw? 11:25 – Is there anything else you want to say? 11:39 – Do you have any advice about art for your peers? 12:58 – Do you have any writing advice for your peers? 13:36 – If you could tell somebody about Stone Soup, what would you say?