# The Guardian Test (Legends of Lotus Island #1)

**Author:** Christina Soontornvat
**Grade range:** Grades 2–5
**Age range:** 7–11
**First published:** 2023
**Page count:** 133
**Genre:** Middle Grade Fantasy
**ISBN-13:** `9781338759167`
**ISBN-10:** `1338759167`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/the-guardian-test
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Plum is invited to a school where students learn to transform into Guardian animals and protect the natural world. Newbery Honor author Christina Soontornvat opens an illustrated fantasy series about courage and caring for the earth. Nominated for the 2025-2026 South Carolina Children's Book Award (grades 3-5), administered by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians.

## Themes

- fantasy
- nature
- courage
- friendship

## Where this book is assigned

### Rhode Island Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 2nd grade · Rhode Island — [source: Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services (OLIS) — Rhode Island Children's Book Award official nominee lists, 2020-2026 cycles (statewide grades 3-5 children's-choice program; students read the annual nominees and vote).](https://olis.ri.gov/programs-and-support/reading-programs/rhode-island-childrens-book-award)
- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Rhode Island — [source: Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services (OLIS) — Rhode Island Children's Book Award official nominee lists, 2020-2026 cycles (statewide grades 3-5 children's-choice program; students read the annual nominees and vote).](https://olis.ri.gov/programs-and-support/reading-programs/rhode-island-childrens-book-award)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Rhode Island — [source: Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services (OLIS) — Rhode Island Children's Book Award official nominee lists, 2020-2026 cycles (statewide grades 3-5 children's-choice program; students read the annual nominees and vote).](https://olis.ri.gov/programs-and-support/reading-programs/rhode-island-childrens-book-award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Rhode Island — [source: Rhode Island Office of Library & Information Services (OLIS) — Rhode Island Children's Book Award official nominee lists, 2020-2026 cycles (statewide grades 3-5 children's-choice program; students read the annual nominees and vote).](https://olis.ri.gov/programs-and-support/reading-programs/rhode-island-childrens-book-award)

### South Carolina Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · South Carolina — [source: 2025-2026 South Carolina Children's Book Award Nominees (South Carolina Association of School Librarians / studySC)](https://studysc.org/sc-book-awards/sc-childrens-book-award-2026)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · South Carolina — [source: 2025-2026 South Carolina Children's Book Award Nominees (South Carolina Association of School Librarians / studySC)](https://studysc.org/sc-book-awards/sc-childrens-book-award-2026)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · South Carolina — [source: 2025-2026 South Carolina Children's Book Award Nominees (South Carolina Association of School Librarians / studySC)](https://studysc.org/sc-book-awards/sc-childrens-book-award-2026)

### Washington Sasquatch Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Washington — [source: 2026 Sasquatch Book Award Nominees (Washington Library Association)](https://www.wla.org/2026-sasquatch-nominees)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Washington — [source: 2026 Sasquatch Book Award Nominees (Washington Library Association)](https://www.wla.org/2026-sasquatch-nominees)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Washington — [source: 2026 Sasquatch Book Award Nominees (Washington Library Association)](https://www.wla.org/2026-sasquatch-nominees)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Washington — [source: 2026 Sasquatch Book Award Nominees (Washington Library Association)](https://www.wla.org/2026-sasquatch-nominees)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Washington — [source: 2026 Sasquatch Book Award Nominees (Washington Library Association)](https://www.wla.org/2026-sasquatch-nominees)

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