
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a loss that others expect them to just get over, or when they feel like the only person who remembers the true version of a loved one. It is a deeply resonant choice for children who feel isolated in their grief or who possess a fierce, stubborn loyalty to their family. The story follows Nell, a seventh grader who refuses to accept that her brother is gone forever. Her journey takes her into Hither, a magical version of New York City filled with wonder and danger. While the plot is a fast-paced urban fantasy, the heart of the book is about the heavy shadow of a sibling's disappearance. It handles grief with a magical lens that makes the complex emotions of middle schoolers feel seen and validated. It is a sophisticated, hopeful choice for the 8 to 12 age range.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe parallel world of Hither has some eerie and dark atmospheres.
The book deals directly with the ambiguous loss of a sibling. The approach is metaphorical, using the fantasy world to represent the 'lost' feeling of grief. It is secular in nature and the resolution is hopeful but realistic, acknowledging that while things can be fixed, they are often forever changed.
A 10-year-old who feels like an outsider because they are processing a family trauma or loss. This child likely prefers stories with high stakes and magical world-building but needs a protagonist who shares their internal struggle with loneliness.
Read cold, but be prepared for questions about 'ambiguous loss.' The scenes involving the 'Snatched' children can be slightly eerie and may require a quick check-in for sensitive readers. A parent might notice their child becoming withdrawn or insisting on a 'fantasy' version of a difficult reality (e.g., 'I know Grandma is still watching me' or 'My dad will come back one day'). This book meets the child in that space of belief.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the cool magical creatures and the quest elements. Older readers (11-12) will likely resonate more deeply with Nell's social isolation and her complicated relationship with her mother.
Unlike many grief books that focus on moving on, Potter validates the child's refusal to let go, using the urban fantasy genre to give the child the power to fight for what they've lost.
Nell is a young girl living in the wake of her brother's mysterious disappearance three years ago. While her mother has retreated into a shell of herself and the world has moved on, Nell finds herself recruited into a mysterious class for 'special' children. This leads her to the discovery of Hither, a parallel, magical New York City. Accompanied by a group of misfit friends, Nell navigates this strange world to rescue her brother from a dark fate.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.