“A well-crafted blend of realism and fantasy.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
“A lyrical story of love and loss. The way the sisters fight and love in equal measure, as well as their basic need for one another, rings poignantly true in this touching and heartwarming story, which contains a ‘tiny bit of magic, right here in the real world.’” —Booklist (starred review)
In the tradition of Sharon Creech and Wendy Mass, Corey Ann Haydu's sparkling middle grade debut is a sister story with a twist of magic, a swirl of darkness, and a whole lot of hope.
Silly is used to feeling left out. Her three older sisters think she's too little for most things—especially when it comes to dealing with their mother's unpredictable moods and outbursts. This summer, Silly feels more alone than ever when her sisters keep whispering and sneaking away to their rooms together, returning with signs that something mysterious is afoot: sporting sunburned cheeks smudged with glitter and gold hair that looks like tinsel.
When Silly is brought into her sisters' world, the truth is more exciting than she ever imagined. The sisters have discovered a magical place that gives them what they truly need: an escape from the complications of their home life. But there are dark truths there, too. Silly hopes the magic will be the secret to saving their family, but she's soon forced to wonder if it could tear them apart.
- A Moving Story About Sisters: Follows eleven-year-old Silly and her three older sisters as they navigate a difficult summer and rely on each other to survive.
- A Twist of Magical Realism: When the girls find closets that can turn their imaginary worlds real, they find a perfect escape—but magic always has a price.
- An Honest Look at Family Hardship: A powerful and poignant exploration of a mother's unpredictable illness and the impact it has on her four daughters.
- A Heartfelt Coming of Age Story: As Silly is finally brought into her sisters' secret world, she must find her own strength and discover if she has the power to hold her family together.
"Silly and her sisters are flesh-and-bone characters; they gripped me by my very heart and pulled me into their tense and mysterious family story. With beguiling moments of magical realism and engaging turns of phrase, Corey Ann Haydu has crafted a glowing middle grade debut."
