Through a clouded mirror

Following the death of her father, Yuki feels abandoned by her best friend, unappreciated at her new school, and misunderstood by her mother, who seems to have moved on with a new husband and baby on the way. So, when she's beckoned into a magic mirror by Sei Shonagon, author of The Pillow Book, Yuki eagerly slips into another dimension populated by great Japanese poets of the past. Upon arrival, Yuki is recruited to compete in a poetry competition, which forces her to dig deep to find the confidence to write--and to trust her new friends. If she wins, she gets to stay at the Imperial court and write poems forever. But is that really what she wants, if it means leaving her other life behind? Beck (The Pearl Hunter, 2023) returns with a middle-grade fantasy destined to appeal to fans of poetry, Japanese folklore, and Alice in Wonderland, using Yuki's journey through the mirror to explore how relationships of all kinds endure conflict and how to appreciate what we already have.

After stepping through an ancient brass mirror and magically appearing in Heian-era Japan, an outcast 12-year-old must decide whether she wants to return home. Aspiring writer Yuki Snow, who is half Japanese and half white, hates her new life in Santa Dolores, Calif. Her stepfather tries too hard to befriend her, her real best friend doesn't talk to her anymore, and the kids at her mostly white school think she's a know-it-all and ignore her. Her only confidante is Momo, the shopkeeper of a Japanese antiques store, home to a mirror supposedly belonging to Japanese writer Sei Sho¯nagon that acts as a portal to her world. When Yuki steps through, a sleek, elegant figure appears--Sho¯nagon herself--and nominates Yuki to participate in a high-stakes poetry contest. In Sho¯nagon's Japan, Yuki meets like-minded people and finally feels as if her creativity is being seen and appreciated; however, she can't help but wonder about life back home. Taking inspiration from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Beck (The Pearl Hunter) writes a steadfast, imagery-driven fantasy teeming with Japanese lore. Poetic and punny text and themes of evolving friendships and parental loss ground this fantastical read. Ages 8--12. (May)

Yuki Snow, an aspiring writer and poet in contemporary California, literally escapes her problems through a magic mirror to imperial Japan. Ever since her father's death, 12-year-old Yuki, who's Japanese and white, has struggled. A recent move up to the coast away from the San Fernando Valley only compounds her troubles, leaving her resentful toward her mom and stepdad. Julio Garcia-Jones, her best friend back in the Valley, seems ready to replace her, and everyone at her new school is less than welcoming. But Yuki finds a friend in Momo Fujita, the elderly owner of a Japanese store who shows her an antique mirror with a fascinating history. It's rumored to have belonged to Sei Shōnagon, a legendary writer and lady-in-waiting who lived in the Japanese imperial court more than 1,000 years ago; once every century, she invites a young girl through the mirror into her world. One particularly terrible day, when Yuki looks into the mirror and sees Sei Shōnagon beckoning her, she steps through the portal. Initially, Yuki feels like she's hit the jackpot--she'll get to compete for the position of high priestess of poetry! But Beck gradually and deftly reveals the cracks hinting at a sinister truth behind the court's magical dazzle. While the conclusion leaves lingering questions, they don't take away from the book's overall allure thanks to the strong worldbuilding. An author's note includes sources and information about the real Shōnagon. A quiet, enjoyable fantasy with a dark twist. (Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.