J.R. Silver Writes Her World

For Josephine Rose “J.R.” Silver, who cues as white, sixth grade in New York City begins on a frustrating note. Her parents refuse to give the only child the independence she craves, and her best friend, Violet Fernando, of Sri Lankan descent, has started hanging out with a new pal. Aspiring writer J.R. is thrilled, however, when her inscrutable new teacher Ms. Kline announces a creative writing unit based on illustrated covers of the New Yorker–esque magazine Gothamite. Resolving to “live vicariously” through her stories’ protagonists, J.R. gives characters a cell phone, freedom to walk home alone, and a winning soccer goal—and is shocked when her own real life begins to imitate her art. Despite Ms. Kline’s warnings against using the stories “as a magic wand,” J.R. is tempted to write away her friendship difficulties and soon finds that unforeseen problems accompany every positive change, a realization that inspires her to confront problems interpersonally. Balancing realistic relationship drama with magical undertones, debut author Dassori deftly threads references to From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and the Metropolitan Museum of Art into a bustling city-set cautionary tale. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Jennifer Unter, Unter Agency. (July)