Worry Magic

August 1, 2016

Gr 4-6-Courtney worries. She worries that her mum can't get a job and keeps bringing home animals from the shelter they can't afford. She worries that her dad is always angry. She worries that her best friend Lois doesn't like her anymore and wants to be friends with horrible Bex. She worries that her loving, caring grandmother, who lives next door, won't come back from the hospital. She worries that her dad has a girlfriend. She worries so much, she finds a way to use magic to change the bad situations for good. When Mum and Dad yell about a pig in the house, Courtney dreams about Mum bringing the pig back to the shelter and getting pizza. When she awakens, she discovers that's exactly what happened! Courtney believes so strongly in her "worry magic," she thinks she can make Gran well again. Not everything is resolved neatly in the end, but readers will know that Courtney and her family will be okay with a little work. Briticisms might be confusing for some readers, but they lend an authentic feel to the story, which is set in an English town. VERDICT A relatable novel for tween readers, with the right amount of drama and British flavor.-Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

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