Today's read hit the shelves the end of last week, but that is so fresh that I'm still going to call it a book birthday! I decided to take a peek at this one not only due to the cover, but it's been awhile since I've seen genie tales out there...and I do love genies and wishes and such. So many possibilities!
So, let's open this one up and see if a wish comes true!
JEANNIE'S BOOTLE
INCANTATIONS
by N. Milanne
Middle Grade Fantasy
302 pages
ages 8 to 12
Spirited thirteen-year-old Jeannie is devastated by the unexpected loss of her mother. And after her father’s successful dentistry practice takes a mysterious dive, the family moves to Aunt Marid’s for a fresh start in the picturesque town of Shallow Cove. Amidst the challenges of adjusting to a new school and home, Jeannie encounters a series of strange events, hinting that something potentially sinister may lurk beneath the quiet surface of Shallow Cove. When she discovers a magical bottle in her aunt’s antique shop, she inadvertently releases Dru, an eager but inexperienced young Jinn who grants her one wish a day. Finally, an easy way to deal with all her troubles!
With newfound power and help from her Jinn, Jeannie embarks on a thrilling adventure, using her “wishes” to navigate her new life, deal with the school bully, and uncover the truth about her mother’s demise. But someone in town seems determined to stand in her way and wreak even more havoc in her life. Accompanied by a small group of unlikely new friends, Jeannie works to unravel the secrets of Shallow Cove before they unravel her. As the line between reality and fantasy blurs, Jeannie must summon her courage and wit confronting what lies ahead without exposing Dru and his secret world and remembering to heed Dru’s
And I say this Jeannie, with the utmost of respect,
Be cautious and be mindful. Every wish has an effect.
With newfound power and help from her Jinn, Jeannie embarks on a thrilling adventure, using her “wishes” to navigate her new life, deal with the school bully, and uncover the truth about her mother’s demise. But someone in town seems determined to stand in her way and wreak even more havoc in her life. Accompanied by a small group of unlikely new friends, Jeannie works to unravel the secrets of Shallow Cove before they unravel her. As the line between reality and fantasy blurs, Jeannie must summon her courage and wit confronting what lies ahead without exposing Dru and his secret world and remembering to heed Dru’s
And I say this Jeannie, with the utmost of respect,
Be cautious and be mindful. Every wish has an effect.
MY TIDBITS
One wish a day—this promise seems like a wish come true, but when mixed with secrets, emotions, and friendship, it becomes so much more.
Jeannie isn't sure how to handle life, now that her mother has mysteriously disappeared and been declared deceased. Her father's dentist office was also met with one bad incident after the other...strange things...and these have made it impossible for him to continue to work in their town. So, they move to their aunts' place in a tiny town. There, Jeannie not only faces bullying, a difficult teacher, and choices on the friends' front, but discovers a magical bottle with her own, private jinn. A wish a day for the rest of her life might seem like a dream come true, but every wish has consequences. Add the growing questions surrounding the identity of a teacher and the possibility that her mother isn't exactly just dead, and Jeannie's life in the new town is anything but boring.
While magic and fantasy make this an adventure with surprises and quite a bit of imagination, this book packs so much more. The jinn and the wishes let the imagination soar, especially when different dimensions and evil slips in, but there's a large enough slice of reality to make this one keep a foot standing in both the fantasy and reality fronts. Jeannie's battle with the loss of her mother comes across with emotion and depth, letting the struggles come across naturally and with punch. The friendship issues and new school drama also slide in with messages surrounding bullying, courage, and standing up for what's right aren't far behind. While she handles these difficult themes and familiar problems, tension builds on the fantasy side as secrets mount and her mother's death becomes so much more than expected. Add the struggles of Dru, her beginning genie, and his bondage to the lamp, and there's never a boring moment.
And here she is...
Nicola Sammeroff is a multi-faceted creative person with roles spanning writer, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. A graduate of the University of Toronto, she studied English and Anthropology, paving the way for her three-decade journey in vastly diverse endeavors. A lover of music and art, it's not uncommon to spot Nicola dancing and singing in her kitchen much to the chagrin of her three daughters. With a zest for life that she describes as "collecting experiences", travel holds a special place in her heart. She dreams of setting foot in every country she has discovered through the pages of her expansive book collection. She lives in Toronto, Canada.
https://www.therightsfactory.com/Authors/nicola-sammeroff
2 comments:
I love the idea of a wish a day, but of course, they come with consequences. This sounds like a book I'd like. Thanks!
Jeannie's Bottle sounds so interesting. With a wish a day, one wonders how many of the wishes cause problems.
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