Children's Book On My Radar From Scholastic

The 411:

I think this book would benefit from a different cover. Not that the graphic isn't wonderful because it is but it makes it feel more like a book for elementary school kids which could turn off some Middle School readers.

The story of Evangeline really spoke to me from the very first paragraph. "There was always an empty seat oon the school bus next to Evangeline Reynolds. It wasn't because she was mean, or had a frightening appearance, or because she ooze poison from her pores like an Australian cane toad. No Evangeline was a kind, plain-looking person with run of the mill pores, which people would have found out if they got to know her. She was never around long enough."

Evangeline and her mom move a lot! She is always the new kid and oddly enough snow seems to appear whenever she is upset, worried, or excited.

Everything changes when Evangeline finds a forgotten box and a photo of her mom wearing a beautiful icy-blue gown, smiling and standing in a snow. Strange! Her mother hates snow. Odd yes but more interesting is the message that appears in her bedroom mirror, like someone is writing it from the other side.  If that isn't strange enough, life changes and will never be the same when Evangeline slips through the mirror and runs into Sir Paw On Thrown who thinks she is Princess Desdemona.

The perfect read for kids who love mystery, science fiction and wonderment. I loved it and I think kids will too. Without giving too much away, Evangeline's life has been a lie and nothing will ever be the same. Think Frozen, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and Alice in Wonderland. It was a great read.