  | Forgotten magic of Zoey Turner Author: Stewart, Erin | |
| Price: $23.08 | ||
Summary:
A girl whose anxiety disorder has been ruling her life since her father's death unexpectedly has the story she's written come alive.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (11/15/24)
School Library Journal (-) (00/12/24)
Booklist (12/01/24)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 10/07/2024 Stewart (The Words We Keep) depicts mental health challenges with a touch of magic in this bewitching tale, a middle grade debut. Following her father’s death in a bus accident, 12-year-old Zoey is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Now she struggles to get on buses and hesitates to venture beyond her neighborhood. When she procures a new pencil that seems to make the stories she writes a reality, she endeavors to write her way out of her anxiety. But getting used to the pencil’s power is trickier than anticipated, and the more magic she uses, the smaller the utensil gets. As Zoey grapples with this temporary power, she also navigates changing relationships, a budding friendship, and her mother’s new romance. Quotes from Zoey’s invented fantasy novel, The Magic of Ever After-which stars a blue-haired warrior who combats enemies in a magical kingdom-open each chapter. Zoey calls upon her imagined protagonist’s bravery and uses aspects of the hero’s journey ("This right here, what we just did, it’s called the ordeal") as guidance in her endeavors to make amends, face her fears, and manage her anxiety. Zoey cues as white. Ages 10-up. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Jan.) - Copyright 2024
Booklist - 12/01/2024 Zoey Turner’s world is controlled by her fears and anxieties. Following the sudden death of her beloved father, the magic he encouraged in her seems to exist only when she rereads the fantasy series they shared together. When her opportunity to get a signed copy of the original book is foiled by an anxiety attack, she’s more than disappointed by the branded pencil she’s given in consolation—until she uses it to rewrite her own story, believing its printed slogan, Make your own magic. Is it magic, or is it Zoey herself who creates the changes she writes about? Stewart uses her excellent descriptive talents to share the intense reality of a young girl’s experience of grief and its resultant panic attacks and agoraphobia. Believable supporting characters and a satisfying surprise reveal make this a worthwhile read. Recommended for middle-graders who appreciate their reality sprinkled with magic, this tale of transformation will be an excellent addition to library collections. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
