THE MYSTERIOUS MAGIC OF LIGHTHOUSE LANE

Twelve-year-old Lucy’s feelings overwhelm her, and she blames herself for that.

Not knowing what to do with Lucy after she has a particularly dramatic meltdown during a school trip to the aquarium, her parents deliver her to Grandpa’s house on Prince Edward Island for the summer, far away from their New York City home. Grandma died years ago, and Grandpa is taciturn, which is fine with Lucy. Afraid of the intense feelings that drove her best friend away, she has no desire to make friends on the island. But Lucy didn’t reckon on meeting Poppy Anne Montgomery, a red-haired self-described “amateur sleuth,” who tells Lucy that her family is “basically island royalty” thanks to their famous relative, L.M. Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables. Similarities to that beloved classic run through this story, which has a modern twist that deftly illuminates and validates the emotional overwhelm that empaths experience. A magical camera focuses Lucy’s emotions, and a surprise discovery helps her begin to see her strong emotions more positively. Readers who are familiar with Anne Shirley will recognize the themes of helping others and feeling deeply. Stewart lays out clues that readers will understand and be able to follow, and the emotional elements are full of insights—and even a revelation—that are as sorely needed as they are deftly presented. Characters read white.

Lyrically validating for sensitive children.