Reviews
Newspapers
The Washington Post, “A Round-up of Five Novels for Children,” March 18, 2011
“Familiar tropes get fresh, funny play in this sprightly tale.”—Mary Quattlebaum
Bangor Daily News, February 20, 2011
“In ‘Small Persons with Wings,’ Booraem plays reality against artificiality, and makes readers decide which is truly more important. The novel manages to be enjoyable and thought-provoking at the same time. That’s a difficult balancing act, and Booraem pulls it off adroitly.”—Dale McGarrigle
March 22, 2009
“In ‘The Unnameables,’ Booraem artfully pits order vs. creativity, and makes the argument that there should be room for both in any society.” —Dale McGarrigle
The Ellsworth (ME) American, March 28, 2011
“This story [The Unnameables] about personal courage and the importance of art is also laugh-out-loud funny.”
The Journals
River Magic
The Horn Book, March/April 2021
“The mix of the fantastical and the practical gives this light, quickly paced fantasy its vitality; dragon flights and magical gold coexist with tips from ‘Annabelle’s Guide to Everyday Household Mechanics.’ On the serious side is a family on the verge of collapse and a girl who feels she’s lost her best friend; on the playful, the colorful magic of pixies and the suspenseful action of a hand-to-hand fight with a baleful thunder mage.”—Deirdre F. Baker
Texting the Underworld
Publishers Weekly, July 1, 2013
"As Booraem did in Small Persons with Wings, she uses mythological creatures (in this case, banshees) to tell a story that packs an emotional wallop. . . . In an affecting, funny, and provocative story, Booraem balances the seriousness of a novel about death spirits and finding courage with Ashling's comical interactions with the modern world."
The Horn Book, July/August 2013
Complex characters, a moving story line centered on family and courage, and plenty of exciting moments make this an appealing read for those fans of tales mixing traditional folklore with contemporary life.— Monica Edinger
Booklist, October 1, 2013
"Booraem manages to pack a lot of energy into this very modern story about ancient traditions surrounding death. Conor faces challenges by drawing on the strength of his family ties and a little help from his best friend Javier, who helps him solve ancient riddles using twenty-first-century techniques. As Conor learns what he is made of, readers will relish the quirky cast of supporting characters from the underworld, and they may well realize that there's more to life after death than they might have first imagined." —Erin Downey Howerton
Voya, October 2013
"Vivid descriptions of a re-imagined technological Underworld include the Celtic goddess Cailleach registering the dead on a computer. Fascinating characters include the duplicitous 'Lady' of the Underworld and her charming chief advisor, the part-lion Nergal. Booraem approaches a family story about moral dilemmas with a light touch." —Hilary Crew
School Library Journal, December 2013
"At times wildly funny, and at times creepily spooky, TEXTING THE UNDERWORLD merges a realistic setting with fantasy, seamlessly creating a touching story full of suspense, action, and excitement." —Sharon McKellar
Small Persons with Wings
Booklist, January 2011
”Together with her parents and Timmo, the nosy neighbor kid, Mellie’s odd predicament is to return to the world of the fanciful by facing what is real. This clever tale also wraps a story of acceptance, both of self and family, in the fairy dressing.” — Heather Booth
The Horn Book, March/April 2011
”Booraem here shifts from dystopian (The Unnameables, rev. 1/09) to more lighthearted fantasy, reminiscent of Diana Wynne Jones in the inventiveness of the author’s imagination and her ability to sustain an increasingly wilder succession of events. …Social outcast Mellie (overweight and hyper-intelligent) has a wry, snarky voice that will draw readers in and keep them invested in the frenetically escalating events. …Readers will pull for Mellie to prevail—not only in her efforts to help the Parvi but also in her maturing relationships with herself (as she “grows into her grandeur”), her family, her new friend Timmo, and her peers.” — Martha V. Parravano
The Unnameables
Indiebound, Kids' Next: Inspired Recommendations for Kids from Indie Booksellers, Winter 2008-09
.... This is a marvelous tribute to change and creativity!—Kathy Carrigan, Harry W. Schwartz Bookshop, Brookfield, WI
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, January 2009
... Island, a creepy and restrictive world masquerading as a utopia, is as memorable as the intricately developed inhabitants. The pace is languorous and measured, mirroring the easy tranquility of life on Island before the satyr and the ways in which changes ripple slowly into permanence with folks as set in their ways as these. Two maps offer additional insight into the layout of Island, though the descriptions of the setting are so evocative that the maps are decorative enhancements rather than necessary guides.
The Horn Book, January/February 2009
.... Booraem’s Goatman is an endearing, anarchic figure, a gust of creative wildness in a controlled, Puritan-esque community that distances itself from the modern, gas- and electric-powered Mainland. An optimistic story about the importance of art (and its marketability), this also plays lightly with questions of language and naming; friendship and integrity, too, are notable themes. The novel’s humor and amiable tone make it a highly accessible but thought-provoking read.—Deirdre F. Baker
VOYA (5Q4P)
.… Avid readers in middle school and high school will enjoy a tale that combines magic with an almost puritanical culture.
School Library Journal, November 8, 2008
..… The setting and the dawning rebellion of the island’s inhabitants against tradition and conformity are well done. This novel, with certain plot points reminiscent of The Giver, will not appeal to all fantasy readers, but those who try it will find it has a style and charm of its own.—Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Library, Trenton
Booklist, November 15, 2008
.… Patient readers who like a little quirk in their fantasy will enjoy this stick-it-to-the-status-quo romp. —Ian Chipman
The Blogs
Texting the Underworld
Proseandkahn, August 15, 2013
“I would love to meet Ashling. Lord was she a hoot! This is middle grade fiction at its very best. I can't wait to get it into my students’ hands come September.”
Kid Lit Reviews, August 13,2013
“Texting the Underworld is inventive, imaginative, and interesting with the afterlife bearing in on the present. I have read nothing like this before.”
YA Books Central, August 8, 2013
“I highly recommend Texting the Underworld and it will definitely be finding a spotlighted section in my classroom library. Fans of the Percy Jackson Series and The Night Tourist will really enjoy this new fresh look at the Underworld.”
Common Sense Media, July 13, 2017
“Booraem borrows elements from several ancient religions to stitch together a unique view of death and reincarnation. It's fascinating to contemplate and an interesting jumping-off point for further exploration of how different cultures view the end -- and beginning -- of life.”—Darienne Stewart
The Book Monsters, February 2014
“Texting the Underworld had a great blend of mythology, mystery and adventure. It is a book I would suggest to young readers who love something a bit different from the norm in fantasy.”
Small Persons with Wings
School Library Journal, A Fuse #8 Production, February 22, 2011
“Booraem …gives us a kind of original fairy novel. It’s a coming of age story set against a backdrop of irritable relatives, giant drooling frogs, creepy mannequins, and bratty older sisters. Best of all, it’s a fun story with a large heroine who doesn’t need to slip into a size 2 to prove her worth. Think of it as a Judy Blume novel for the fantasy-loving set.”—Betsy Bird
RT Book Reviews, March 1, 2011
“Heroine Mellie is nothing short of loveable. She is both quick-witted and emotionally vulnerable after what she endured at the hands of her classmates. Although Mellie has a mature voice for her age, it never seems out of character. Furthermore, Booraem has crafted a detailed magical society, which will keep readers enchanted long after the tale comes to a close. This is truly a middle-grade for every grade!”
Young Adult Books Central, February 7, 2011
“These are no soppy flower fairies, but rather small, proud aristocrats, obsessed with the appearance of things and cold as ice to the touch. All their magic is devoted to making things appear beautiful, and over time, they have lost the ability to make or do anything real, a telling counterpoint to an adolescent girl’s concern about her looks and how much they matter — or don’t… An engaging story with a full cast of quirky, enjoyable characters, this will be a welcome read for any reader who loves fairies – or who loves to see the quiet girl triumph over all.” —Francesca Amendolia
Mrs. Hill’s Book Blog, January 29, 2011
“This book is SO MUCH FUN!! I really adore it! It's creative and truly one of a kind… The plot is unexpected, suspenseful and fast paced. Overall, this is clever and brilliantly executed. I was so sad it was over. I enjoyed spending time in Mellie's world.”
Not Another Book Blog, January 25, 2011
“This book is fantastic and as I was reading it I could think of at least 2 little girls around 13 years old, and a few adults who would love it! (It doesn’t hurt that the cover sparkles. I don’t know about you, but at my library that’s a tell tale sign that a book will get a lot of curious readers.)”
Book Aunt, January 21, 2011
“All you other MG fantasies out there, beware: this is the one to beat in 2011! Funny, poignant, and original, Small Persons with Wings carves out an instant niche for itself in the world of children’s literature… ”
Eva’s Book Addiction, November 4, 2010
“…the story was sparkly, snide, exciting, and very, very funny.”