SOLVED. Fantasy book, kind of simplistic writing style - girl passes forest barrier where she can't ever go back and finds a castle of ice and a queen. Spoilers ahead. [s]

[Ashley]

I read this book around 2014-2016, but it was probably published earlier. I recall there was a young female character who lived near a forest and went to school at a small village nearby. Something happened to her while she was at school that caused her to go into the forest; I think she was chasing after someone? In the forest there are lampposts lighting the way periodically. She stumbles across a marketplace, and I think she buys a potion, but I'm not sure. She finds a castle of ice in the woods where the Ice Queen or Snow Queen lives, who wants to keep and raise her as her own child. I don't remember if she found her way back, but I think she did.

[Kris]

Ashley, is another a boy in the story (e.g., Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu)?

Can you tell us more about the female character - her age, parents/siblings, skills/powers/interests, personality, etc.?

[Ashley]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! It is definitely Breadcrumbs. I am so sorry for the (extremely) late reply.

[Kris]

No worries. Glad you found your book, Ashley. Thanks for letting us know.