Publishers Weekly Review
Eleven-year-old Emma, who is biracial (black/white), lives with her 12-year-old cousin Lydia and her mother, both white, while Emma's single father is in rehab. When Lydia's divorced mom buys a large dilapidated Brooklyn house as a surprise for her boyfriend, Jeremy, Lydia hopes that the house will provide magic to protect her from the unwanted attention of male classmates and Jeremy's discomfiting touches. She's been battling both by wearing heavy clothes, even in August.But as both Jeremy's hugs and her classmates' attentions increase, Lydia wonders if her discomfort is normal, building into tense inner conflict and fears that are well-rendered and relatable. As Lydia grows reticent to trust adults with her concerns, a confession from Emma and an incident at school persuade her to take drastic magical measures to keep both girls safe. The uneasiness Lydia feels with unwanted male attention and peers who suggest that she should covet it sends a powerful message about the male gaze and the importance of individual consent. That message, however, may be occasionally clouded by Carter's (One Speck of Truth) inclusion of magic as a means of exercising autonomy, which in places dilutes the idea that young people need real-world support to combat genuine problems. Ages 8--12. Agent: Kate McKean, Howard Morhaim Literary. (Aug.) |
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--Carter crafts a powerful middle grade novel about sexual harassment and the adults who often diminish or ignore it. The story is centered around seventh grader Lydia who lives with her mom and cousin Emma. Lydia sees her father two days a week, spending more time with her mom's boyfriend Jeremy. For months Lydia has not felt comfortable in her own skin. She wears long sleeves and pants in the hot Brooklyn summer to hide her body from boys and men, like the ones in school who call her "Swing" because they like the way the skirt of her Catholic school uniform swings between her legs, and like Jeremy whose hugs and touches linger. Throughout the novel Lydia reasons with herself that she must be overreacting; if these things weren't okay, then surely an adult would have already intervened. When Lydia discovers a book of magic in her new home, she crafts a spell for protection and hopes all of her problems will go away. When she is expelled from her parochial school for use of magic, she is forced to finally confide all of her problems in her mother, who is the first adult to tell Lydia that what has been happening is not okay. The story ends on a hopeful note, and overall Carter does a good job in addressing the topics of sexual assault and consent for middle grade students. VERDICT While this novel leaves readers with an important message about sexual harassment, it is not didactic. An excellent addition to middle grade collections.--Katharine Gatcomb, Portsmouth P.L., NH |