A Spell Is Cast

Reach for this book when your child begins asking deep questions about their origin story, especially if they are navigating the complexities of adoption or feeling like an outsider in their own family. It is a quiet, atmospheric mystery that validates the longing to truly belong and the courage it takes to seek out the truth about one's self. Cory Winterslow is a young girl living with her adoptive mother, Stephanie, but she has always felt a sense of displacement. When she travels to the foggy California coast to stay at the imposing Tarnhelm estate, she unravels a web of family secrets that finally explain her past. It is an emotionally resonant choice for the 9 to 13 age group, offering a sophisticated look at identity and the meaning of home without relying on fantasy tropes. Parents will appreciate the way it models emotional resilience and the importance of honest communication between generations.