BRITTLE MAGIC

Every member of the Brittle family has a magical talent—except for 12-year-old Shiloh.

There are many incredible talents among the generations of Brittles. Shiloh’s sister, Judith, grows enormous vegetables; her twin brother, Sammy, heals plants; and her Auntie Dee makes pickles that will tell your fortune. Next to Shiloh’s name in the Big Book of Brittle Talents is the discouraging word “none.” Hanging over everything is the deep sadness in her family surrounding the death of Shiloh’s older brother, Jason, shortly before she and Sammy were born. The door to Jason’s room remains locked, his talent is kept secret, no one speaks of the accident that caused his death, and Shiloh’s mom is extremely over-protective of her. Shiloh is sure that her difficulties are connected to that tragedy. She narrates her own story in which her flawed understanding of herself, her white-cued family, and her new friends changes and matures, leading to some real answers. Shiloh often misinterprets or overlooks clues that appear in the minute details of her life—and readers may become just as confused as she is. But her voice is so compelling and her feelings so raw, filled with longing for answers and understanding, that they’ll root for her all the way. Though her magical talents don’t always manifest perfectly, Shiloh finds her gift, and the bittersweet ending is healing for her family.

A tender and moving tale of loss and hope.