The Root of Magic by Kathleen Benner Duble
Published by Delacorte Press on June 11th 2019
ISBN: 0525578501
Pages: 224
Goodreads

Getting lost in a snow storm is scary but almost landing in a cold river following a sliding incident is totally frightening.   This book just started to introduce the characters when the life altering scene begins a huge spiral.   Willow’s family are saved by strangers in a small magical feeling town in rural ME.  Many questions face the reader: how will they get home and how do residences of Kismit seem to know the future?  Most important, what has been making Willow’s younger brother ill?

 

The story is entwined like the plants in Cora’s house but several characters seem limp.  Our heroin and her new friend are provided some introduction time but the reader never clearly sees Willow’s Mom or the town folks.  The imagery of the disappearing bridge is perhaps the highlight of the novel.  Consider purchase where fantasy for intermediate grades is popular.

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME