Silverworld by Diana Abu-Jaber
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 0553509675
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

This middle grade fantasy follows the normal storyline of child hero saves the world by tapping into their special powers after completing a quest or adventure.   What makes this story worth the 5 star rating is the window into the Lebanese culture that Abu-Jaber gives readers through her descriptions of Bedouin family history, memories, settings and the way the magic works in the fantasy.   American-Lebanese Samara (Sami) Washington can’t wait to be shown all the secrets in grandmother Teta’s secret charm book when she turns twelve in a few weeks.  Reacting to the family’s need to place Teta in a senior living community, Sami locates the book and unintentionally sends herself into a parallel world called Silverworld where she encounters, Shadows, Flickers and her own strength and courage as a human to protect both worlds by seeking out the evil Queen Nixie and help rebalancing the powers in the two worlds.  The book jacket illustrations seem to place the book in a slighter younger reader group than the rich, descriptive text provides.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services, Springvale Public Library