A strong, compelling debut that shows that stories really do have power—and can hold danger.
Inside a shuttered North Carolina theme park, one family is bound for a reckoning.
Since its inception, Whisperwood Park has been run by a member of the Strauss family: first German immigrant Sir Wilhelm and now Virginia, his great-granddaughter. The popular park featured rides and attractions based on Wilhelm’s tales, which brought to life his German heritage within the Appalachian setting. But 18 months ago, Virginia abruptly shuttered it. As potential heirs to the property, 17-year-old Francesca “Frankie” Montgomery-Strauss and the rest of her family return, hoping to uncover what happened and what it means for their futures. Frankie also seeks to understand the disappearance of her friend (and maybe something more) Zara Morales. And then Oma—Frankie’s grandmother Virginia—goes missing too. The answers lie in the park, with its stories and its quiet, attractive teenage groundskeeper, Jem. Magic, a family feud, and a dark deal coalesce in a whirlwind that complements rather than overshadows Frankie’s story of unraveling her past, her feelings, and her agency. The portrayal of Frankie’s bisexuality stands out as an understated yet clearly integral part of her characterization. Atmospheric and broody, the story brings together monsters and fairy tales even as it tackles teenage love and heartbreak and digs into the key role Frankie plays in the future of the park and her family. Most characters are cued white; Zara presents Latine.
A strong, compelling debut that shows that stories really do have power—and can hold danger. (family tree) (Fantasy. 13-18)Pub Date: May 27, 2025
ISBN: 9780316578721
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away.
A Mexican American boy takes on heavy responsibilities when his family is torn apart.
Mateo’s life is turned upside down the day U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents show up unsuccessfully seeking his Pa at his New York City bodega. The Garcias live in fear until the day both parents are picked up; his Pa is taken to jail and his Ma to a detention center. The adults around Mateo offer support to him and his 7-year-old sister, Sophie, however, he knows he is now responsible for caring for her and the bodega as well as trying to survive junior year—that is, if he wants to fulfill his dream to enter the drama program at the Tisch School of the Arts and become an actor. Mateo’s relationships with his friends Kimmie and Adam (a potential love interest) also suffer repercussions as he keeps his situation a secret. Kimmie is half Korean (her other half is unspecified) and Adam is Italian American; Mateo feels disconnected from them, less American, and with worries they can’t understand. He talks himself out of choosing a safer course of action, a decision that deepens the story. Mateo’s self-awareness and inner monologue at times make him seem older than 16, and, with significant turmoil in the main plot, some side elements feel underdeveloped. Aleman’s narrative joins the ranks of heart-wrenching stories of migrant families who have been separated.
An ode to the children of migrants who have been taken away. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-7595-5605-8
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
