Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A grieving tween uncovers an alternate version of Seneca Village, a predominantly free Black community destroyed in 1857, in this gentle middle grade debut by Garrett (Friday I'm in Love). While spending the summer with her aunt Monica in N.Y.C., 12-year-old Rowan Grace Robinson finds it difficult to escape reminders of happier times prior to her father's death two years ago. Then she stumbles through a mysterious portal in Central Park, where she discovers magically hidden Seneca Village. Befriending 12-year-old Lily, who can control plants, Rowan learns that all of Seneca's residents--descendants of the 19th century population--have magical powers and live apart from modern society. Though with the recent disappearance of Seneca teenager Sage, the portal between worlds has grown unstable, allowing unexpected visitors like Rowan. Now Rowan and Lily must work together across both worlds to find Sage and restore the portal before Seneca is exposed. Garrett weaves together themes of grief, resilience, healing, and friendship as Rowan faces the unwelcome certainty of change while experiencing joy in everyday moments. Examinations of contemporary and historical racism as well as approachable juxtapositions of the IRL fate of Seneca Village with its fictional counterpart of gifted, secluded descendants ground this fantastical adventure. Ages 10--14. Agent: Beth Phelan, Gallt & Zacker Literary. (Apr.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4--6--Garrett combines magical realism with history to explore the little-known true origins of Seneca Village and grief. Rowan, 12, described as having dark brown skin, is grieving the loss of her father and struggling as she stays with Aunt Monica in New York City for the summer. When she brings her dad's old film camera to Central Park, she finds a portal that leads to Seneca Village, a magical version of the real village that existed in that location in the mid-1800s. The portal village is inhabited by Black people with magical abilities living without modern technology. Only those with magic can find the village, and Rowan uncovers a mystery of a missing girl, one of the villagers who controlled the portal. This novel is one of the very few resources for kids about Seneca Village, which will appeal to historical fiction fans. The tender tone and length of the book makes it accessible and very readable for a broad audience while still being engaging, thought provoking, and a page-turning mystery. It explores themes of gentrification, friendship, and grief. VERDICT Give to readers who liked Marie Arnold's The Year I Flew Away and kids seeking a gentle read with a big heart as well as important themes.--Taylor Skorski
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An African American tween from Long Island finds herself in another dimension with residents of a historical village. Twelve-year-old Rowan once loved spending the summer in Manhattan with her paternal aunt Monica. But ever since her father's death, she's had no interest in things she once enjoyed. After her mother insists, Rowan finds herself back at Aunt Monica's, a place she painfully associates with her dad. Wandering around Central Park taking pictures with his old-fashioned camera, which she treasures, leads to an unbelievable adventure when Rowan stumbles through a portal into another time. She meets a girl named Lily who tells her she's in Seneca Village, where people have magical abilities. Lily also shares the fact that Sage, a girl from the village, recently went missing. Rowan meets community elder Auntie Alma, who believes the portal may be malfunctioning, potentially threatening their way of life. After Rowan returns to her own time, she does research and confirms that Seneca Village was a real place, founded by free Black people and razed in 1857 to create Central Park. When Rowan returns to the village, she gets caught up in the search for Sage as well as efforts to repair the portal and preserve the hidden magical place. In her fresh, engaging, and surprise-filled middle-grade debut, celebrated YA author Garrett successfully blends genres. Rowan is an entertaining and engaging protagonist who's surrounded by an interesting supporting cast. A thoughtful coming-of-age narrative infused with fantasy and history.(Fiction. 10-14) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
