The Magic Rainbow Stone (Magic Stone Hunt Book 1) by Candy J. Moon

When a young girl named Zoe discovers a rainbow stone, she's transported to a magical realm where she befriends four crystal folk—Sapphire, Citrine, Amethyst, and Emerald—and joins their urgent quest to find enchanted stones. This fantasy adventure cleverly weaves a treasure hunt narrative where each stone bears a symbolic clue leading to the next location, creating an engaging puzzle-like journey through a beautifully imagined world threatened by sinister antagonists. The story's structure naturally encourages pattern recognition and deductive reasoning skills as readers follow the clues alongside the characters.

What distinguishes this friendship story is how it balances high-stakes adventure with the warmth of collaborative problem-solving, as Zoe and her crystalline companions must work together to decipher symbols and outsmart the horrid old couple controlling their world. Children who enjoy deciphering codes and maps will be particularly drawn to the sequential mystery elements, while the relatable human protagonist entering a magical realm provides an accessible entry point for fantasy newcomers. The narrative ultimately delivers a satisfying blend of imaginative world-building and teamwork that keeps pages turning until the final stone is found.