
Reach for this book when your child feels like an outsider or struggles to fit in after a major life transition like moving to a new town. It follows Raina, a girl with the secret ability to see the 'sparkles' of memory and emotion left behind by others. When she moves to a town where a girl named Emily disappeared years ago, Raina uses her gift to uncover the truth. The story beautifully balances elements of a supernatural mystery with the very real, grounded emotional labor of building self-confidence and finding true friends. It is a secular, hopeful narrative that validates the experience of being 'different' while providing a gripping, age-appropriate mystery for middle-grade readers. Parents will appreciate how it encourages empathy and the courage to stand up for others.
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Sign in to write a reviewThemes of a missing child and the grief of those left behind.
The book deals with the disappearance and implied death of a child, which is handled with a secular, mystery-focused lens. The approach is somewhat metaphorical through the use of the 'sparkles,' though the reality of the loss is felt. The resolution is hopeful and provides closure, emphasizing justice and being heard.
A 10-year-old girl who feels like she has to hide her true self to fit in at school, or a child who has moved multiple times and feels 'unanchored' from a community.
Read cold. The mystery is suspenseful but remains firmly within middle-grade boundaries. No graphic violence. A parent might notice their child retreating into books or fantasy play because they feel misunderstood by peers, or perhaps the child has expressed frustration about 'knowing' things others don't pick up on (high empathy/sensitivity).
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the 'superpower' aspect and the 'ghost' mystery. Older readers (11-12) will resonate more with the social politics of the middle school setting and Raina's internal struggle with her identity.
Unlike many paranormal mysteries, the 'sparkles' serve as a poignant metaphor for high emotional intelligence and empathy, making the supernatural feel like a natural extension of the protagonist's personality.
Raina is the daughter of a woman who frequently moves the family for work. Raina possesses an 'extra sense': she sees physical glimmers or sparkles that represent past emotions or events attached to people and places. In her new home, she becomes obsessed with the cold case of Emily H., a girl who disappeared from the same house years earlier. As Raina navigates the social hierarchy of her new school, she must decide whether to hide her gift or use it to find justice for a girl everyone else has forgotten.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.