The Cabinet of Earths

Twelve-year-old Maya and her family move to Paris while her mother undergoes treatment for cancer. Maya soon discovers she is the 'Keeper' of the Cabinet of Earths, a magical object containing jars of earth that grant eternal life. However, this immortality requires stealing 'years' from others. Maya must navigate the temptations of the charismatic Henri de Valincourt to save her younger brother and her mother. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly with terminal illness (cancer) through a metaphorical lens. The magic system serves as a proxy for the 'bargains' people try to make with fate when a loved one is sick. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, emphasizing that while magic cannot fix mortality, love and courage make life meaningful. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with a heavy sense of displacement and dread. It builds into a tense, gothic mystery and concludes with a powerful moment of acceptance. The emotional weight is significant but balanced by the wonder of the setting. IDEAL READER: A 10 to 12 year old who is observant and perhaps a bit 'parentified' due to a family crisis. They likely enjoy Neil Gaiman or Coraline and need a story that validates their fear of loss while encouraging bravery. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might notice their child becoming hyper-vigilant about a relative's health or expressing a desire for 'superpowers' to help the family. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware of the 'melting' of people who have lived too long, which can be unsettling. The concept of the 'shaking' mother is a direct parallel to chemotherapy side effects. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the magic and the mystery of the cabinet. Older readers (11-12) will deeply feel the metaphor of the mother's illness and the moral weight of the choices Maya must make. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many fantasy novels that offer a magical cure-all, this book bravely asserts that some things cannot be changed by magic, focusing instead on the character's internal growth.