Genre: Middle
Grade Fantasy/Jewish Mysticism/LGBTQ
Description:
“To put it simply, Harris Baumgartner was late to school on the first
day of the seventh grade because something he saw in the abandoned lot at the
end of his street changed his life forever…”
“Middle school can be tough, especially when you can’t figure out
whether you’re supposed to be a boy or a girl. Homework and gym class are hard
enough to deal with, but what exactly do you do when a pushy angel shows up
insisting you’re a magical princess and that it’s your job to defend your
school from the forces of darkness? For Harris Baumgartner, only one thing is
certain — life is about to get a lot more complicated!”
Author:
Rabbi, author, teacher, fairy stepmother, and noted headscarf
enthusiast Leiah Moser was ordained as a rabbi in the Reconstructionist Movement
in 2017. Her first book, Magical Princess
Harriet, was published in 2018. When not expanding the boundaries of Jewish
fantasy fiction she works as a freelance teacher, endeavoring in her own quirky
yet effective way to make the priceless treasures of Talmud and Jewish
mysticism available and accessible to students from all walks of life… She
lives in Philadelphia with her husband Ross and his amazing kids.
To learn more about Rabbi Moser please visit her website.
Appraisal:
Wow, I had no idea what I was stepping into with this book. I was
looking for something different, and I sure found it. Twelve year-old Harris
Baumgartner and his mother have recently moved into a smaller more affordable
house after Mr. Baumgartner deserted his small family. With no explanation to
Harris, whose life is already complicated enough moving up to a new
middle-grade school. Francis, his Autistic best friend, has struggled
her whole young life in a neurotypical world.
So, Magical Princess Harriet
tackles a lot of serious issues with compassion. I am not even close to this
books demographic audience, I am not Jewish, transgender, Middle Grade aged, or
Autistic. However, you do not need to be to enjoy this fantasy story that
encompasses and explores all of these issues. The Jewish lore and magic is
fascinating and endeavors to educate the reader in all its facets. Each chapter
is started with statements or truths to Judaism lore.
There is also one other character who Harris/Harriet and Francis accept into
their tight knit friendship. Aiden is a school outcast who expresses his
inability to fit in with his Goth wardrobe. This trio works together to support
each other while they fight an evil that threatens not only their school but
the town and eventually the downfall of the whole world if not stopped. The
characters are diverse, well-developed and likeable. The settings are multiple
and described well enough to put you right where the action is.
I did find the whole book a little wordy at times, but it has a lot of
good lessons on morality, acceptance, and life. I also enjoyed the humor to
lighten the gravity of such heavy subjects. The story ends with harmony and I
can see more stories being told with these three friends.
Format/Typo
Issues:
A small number of proofing issues.
Rating:
**** Four Stars
Reviewed
by: ?wazithinkin
Approximate
word count: 80-85,000 words
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