Review by Booklist Review
Eleven-year-old J.R. was hurt when Violet, her BFF, befriended their popular classmate, Ava, while both were away at summer camp. They're back now, but even when Violet and J.R. are alone, Violet is often reading Ava's texts and laughing. As sixth grade begins, Violet remains J.R.'s friend and even draws her into Ava's group. Still, J.R. feels distressed and somewhat lost. Meanwhile, an enigmatic new teacher turns creative-writing assignments into life-changing experiences for J.R., who discovers that whatever plot twists she devises for her fictional characters will come true in her own life or that of someone she knows, often with unintended consequences. Eventually, though still hurt by Violet's choices, J.R. realizes that she's changing too and begins to acknowledge her emotions, speak up for herself, and think before she acts. Readers who, like J.R. and Violet, are fans of E. L. Konigsberg's From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, will particularly enjoy the scenes, including a sleepover, set in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In Dassori's story, the magical events triggered by J.R.'s writing are as convincing as the nuanced portrayals of J.R. and her classmates. Black-and-white illustrations (not seen in final form) will appear throughout the book. A promising first novel.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
For Josephine Rose "J.R." Silver, who cues as white, sixth grade in New York City begins on a frustrating note. Her parents refuse to give the only child the independence she craves, and her best friend, Violet Fernando, of Sri Lankan descent, has started hanging out with a new pal. Aspiring writer J.R. is thrilled, however, when her inscrutable new teacher Ms. Kline announces a creative writing unit based on illustrated covers of the New Yorker--esque magazine Gothamite. Resolving to "live vicariously" through her stories' protagonists, J.R. gives characters a cell phone, freedom to walk home alone, and a winning soccer goal--and is shocked when her own real life begins to imitate her art. Despite Ms. Kline's warnings against using the stories "as a magic wand," J.R. is tempted to write away her friendship difficulties and soon finds that unforeseen problems accompany every positive change, a realization that inspires her to confront problems interpersonally. Balancing realistic relationship drama with magical undertones, debut author Dassori deftly threads references to From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and the Metropolitan Museum of Art into a bustling city-set cautionary tale. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8--12. Author's agent: Jennifer Unter, Unter Agency. (July)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--7--It's the beginning of sixth grade and Josephine Rose (J.R.) Silver is looking forward to beginning middle school with her best friend Violet. They have been best friends for as long as they can remember; but ever since Violet went away to summer sleepaway camp, her letters home revolved more around making new friends than missing her old one. As school begins and Violet continues to make new friends, J.R. is still holding onto memories of their many visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Eternal fans of The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the friends visited the setting of their favorite novel over and over again. As school begins and J.R.'s new teacher Mrs. Kline gives her writing assignments, J.R. finds that the events she writes about start to come true. Dassori combines predictable preteen angst about changing friendships and coming of age with a little bit of magic in this well-crafted text. Fans of E.L. Konigsburg's novel will enjoy the descriptions of the Met and its many rooms. Readers will also recognize authors and their works as J.R. reflects on her favorite stories while deliberating over reading assignments. Mrs. Kline's magic is just odd enough to intrigue but not alarm readers, and the hometown book store is a warm, inviting space they will wish to visit often. Black-and-white pencil drawings augment each chapter. VERDICT Well-paced chapters and captivating characters will keep readers entertained and may also inspire some writing.--Carol Connor
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An 11-year-old girl explores the surprising effects of her writing. Living with protective parents in New York City, presumably White J.R. has been in the same class as her best friend, Violet, since kindergarten, but now their relationship is shifting. Sri Lankan American Violet's busy texting on her new cellphone and hanging out with a more popular girl. Meanwhile, J.R.'s parents won't allow her to have a cellphone or walk home from school without an adult like most other sixth graders, exacerbating her isolation. When Ms. Kline, their enigmatic new teacher, gives students the assignment to create stories based on magazine covers, aspiring author J.R. writes about walking home on her own. After school the next day, J.R.'s mom isn't there to meet her, and she walks home with classmates. After several more of her magazine-inspired stories come true, she confronts Ms. Kline, who confirms that the magic is real--but warns her that it has limits. While J.R. longs to use her powers to write Violet back into her life, she finally realizes she must find her own voice. J.R. emerges sympathetically as a quiet, thoughtful, sensitive, somewhat nerdy girl whose world of books and museums is reinforced by textual references to popular middle-grade literature, especially her touchstone, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Final art not seen. An intriguing, credible tale of friendship and coming-of-age. (author's note) (Fantasy. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
