An intense story of heroics and understanding, The Scroll of Chaos by Elsie Chapman will keep readers’ hearts racing from beginning to end.

Astrid Xu is a twelve year old seventh grader. She’s the star clarinet player at her elementary school and lives with asthma. She is struggling because her mom has plummeted into a depression that is pulling her away from the family. When Astrid and her sister Marilla find an unusual scroll inside a book of Ancient Chinese Myths, they set a course for the mythical world of Zhen. By opening the scroll, Astrid has unleashed Chaos into the mythical world and it is up to her to stop him.

Elsie Chapman paints a rich picture of the mythical world of Zhen through her vivid descriptions. The world building is fantastic and it was easy to fall into Zhen along with Astrid and Marilla. The travel through the realm with Sae, Erlang and Howl to Kunlun Mountain and all of the obstacles they needed to face was spellbinding. This is a story that is not easily put down. 

I particularly loved how Astrid uses her clarinet to help propel her through Zhen. The clarinet feels like a really underappreciated instrument in children’s fiction. I know there are a ton of readers who will be just picking up an instrument for the first time and will perhaps gain inspiration to try the clarinet. I think clarinet playing isn’t as glamorous as guitar or piano but it’s an instrument so many readers will be trying for the first time so to have a powerful story behind it, maybe for some readers, there will be more of a shine on the clarinet.

I enjoyed ho Elsie Chapman incorporated many ancient Chinese myths throughout the text. The myths were synopsised perfectly to give readers a great picture of the good and the bad that Astrid faces throughout her time in Zhen and also provides readers with background into the how and why certain things happen throughout the story.

Finally, Elsie Chapman chose to focus some attention on mental health struggles, in this case, the feelings of children when their parents are facing some major mental health challenges. Through Astrid and her growth, Elsie Chapman lays a foundation for all readers and reassures them that they are not responsible for the adults in their lives. We are all responsible for our own healing and we can support our loved ones along the way. I appreciated how the end of the book lists resources for readers in Canada and the United States if they or a loved one is facing mental health challenges.