Foreverland

Sixth grader Margaret, a self-described wallflower and acrostics aficionado, is “not a runaway kind of person,” but she is sick of change. Even before her dad packs a bag and moves out, Margaret is nursing the loss of best friend Priya to a new middle school, and her own “friendless fate” at hers. With everything up in the air, she runs away from home to hide out at local amusement park Foreverland, “Where magic never ends!” The plan is to enjoy a place where her family was happy together, but Margaret soon discovers that she’s not the only kid who’s escaped to Foreverland—a boy named Jaime is there, who asks questions but reveals little about himself. After Margaret’s backpack is taken by security, the two pair up, and Margaret slowly comes to see that maybe she’s not the wallflower she believed. But with Priya showing up at Neverland, and security hot on their trail, Margaret and Jaime find that they have more in common than they initially realized. Largely internalized narration, including Margaret’s pain at her parents’ impending divorce, is well wrought and relatable, and the mystery of Jaime’s story will keep readers turning pages. While the ending may feel a bit pat, this heartwarming, briskly paced adventure offers a ride worth taking. Ages 8–12. [em]Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Apr.) [/em]