J.R. Silver Writes Her World
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
★ "Fans of E. L. Konigsburg’s From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler will particularly enjoy. "―Booklist, starred review
J.R. struggles to navigate the torments of middle school and her secret power to write wishes into existence in this magical story about finding your voice.
Sixth grade is off to a difficult start for Josephine Rose Silver. Her best friend, Violet, returns from camp with a new best friend; her parents refuse to grant her more independence; and her homeroom teacher, Ms. Kline, is full of secrets. When Ms. Kline unveils a collection of old Gothamite magazines and tells her students to build their writing skills by crafting short stories inspired by the iconic covers, J.R. discovers a peculiar power: The stories she writes come true. Soon J.R. is getting a cell phone, scoring game-winning goals, and triggering school cancellations. But it's not long before she realizes that each new story creates as many conflicts as it does solutions. And when J.R. tries to write about her fallout with Violet, all of her problems converge. With a pinch of magic, mystery, art history, and language arts woven into a journey of growth and self-confidence, this promising debut is a heartfelt and satisfying tribute to the power of words.
Perfect for fans of: Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead The Mona Lisa Vanishes Museum and Mystery Lovers From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. FrankweilerNight At the Museum
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
For Josephine Rose "J.R." Silver, who cues as white, sixth grade in New York City begins on a frustrating note. Her parents refuse to give the only child the independence she craves, and her best friend, Violet Fernando, of Sri Lankan descent, has started hanging out with a new pal. Aspiring writer J.R. is thrilled, however, when her inscrutable new teacher Ms. Kline announces a creative writing unit based on illustrated covers of the New Yorker–esque magazine Gothamite. Resolving to "live vicariously" through her stories' protagonists, J.R. gives characters a cell phone, freedom to walk home alone, and a winning soccer goal—and is shocked when her own real life begins to imitate her art. Despite Ms. Kline's warnings against using the stories "as a magic wand," J.R. is tempted to write away her friendship difficulties and soon finds that unforeseen problems accompany every positive change, a realization that inspires her to confront problems interpersonally. Balancing realistic relationship drama with magical undertones, debut author Dassori deftly threads references to From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and the Metropolitan Museum of Art into a bustling city-set cautionary tale. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Author's agent: Jennifer Unter, Unter Agency.
