Winner, Maine Literary Award for Young People’s Literature 2022
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2021

★ “A carefully constructed interweaving of reality and magic that will transport and delight.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“The mix of the fantastical and the practical gives this light, quickly paced fantasy its vitality.”
—Deirdre F. Baker, The Horn Book

“A dense emotional core, resonant voice, and themes of grief, shifting friendships, and family enliven Booraem’s contemporary fantasy, reminding readers that ‘hope is everywhere.’”
—Publishers Weekly

“Recommended for fans of Katherine Applegate’s Crenshaw who don’t mind a bit of off-the-wall chicken magic.”
—School Library Journal

“. . . a lovely read, a work that takes advantage of its fantastical trappings to tell a very real story about what it means to be a kid.”
—Allen Adams, The Maine Edge

“Ellen Booraem is one of Maine’s unsung treasures . . . . ‘River Magic’ is a little gem.”
—Amy MacDonald, The Portland Press-Herald

What it’s about:

Donna’s always loved her life by the river. Her aunt, Annabelle, taught her there was more to the world than meets the eye, and they built tiny shore-side houses for fantastical creatures Annabelle insisted were real.

But now Annabelle has died in the very river she claimed was magic, and nothing feels wondrous to Donna anymore. Money is tight, her mom and sister work all the time, and her best friend, Rachel, spends more time with her basketball teammates than she does with Donna.   

When a strange old woman moves in next door and needs help cleaning, Donna figures this is the perfect opportunity to forget her friendship troubles and help her family. Especially since the woman pays in gold.

Turns out, Donna’s new neighbor is an ancient, ornery thunder mage, and it doesn’t take much to make her angry. Before Donna knows it, Rachel’s in danger and Donna’s family is about to lose their home. Even Annabelle's voice, an unexpected guiding presence in Donna's mind, can't fend off disaster.

To save the day, Donna will need the help of a caring new friend and the basketball team . . . plus the mysterious, powerful creature lurking in the river.

RIVER MAGIC
Ages 10-14
Dial Books for Young Readers
April 27, 2021
ISBN 9780525428046