LitPick Review
Wonders of Shadow Key by J.J. Fleming is the story of one girl, Eleanor, and her unique vacation to an island off the coast of Florida. Set in the future, the climate crisis has caused so many hurricanes and disastrous storms that school is online, and most people have fled inland. But Eleanor’s parents have always loved the beach, and when debt collectors keep showing up at their door, they decide to take a vacation at a motel on beachfront property. The place that they thought was abandoned actually has a large crowd of ghosts. Ghosts of many people who have died at sea have congregated at Shadow Key as the only land they could find. Eleanor, who is shocked that she can see them, befriends the ghosts and helps to save them from the Oldies, soul-stealing eldritch horrors at the bottom of the sea
Opinion:
This was a very well-written book, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The writing style reminded me a lot of Sharon Creech’s books, like Walk Two Moons, The Wanderer, and Bloomability. Wonders of Shadow Key dealt with some pretty heavy issues in a relatable and empathetic way. Eleanor is courageous, kind, and remarkably introspective for a twelve-year-old. She has to face her own anxiety and fears while also helping her ghostly friends with her insight and perspective. Even through all the chaos and uncertainty, Eleanor finds a way to help everyone around her. She’s a strong character and a fantastic role model, while also just being a kid. She felt so real, so human.
I would definitely recommend this book for middle-grade readers, but also for anyone who enjoys stories of growing up and learning about the world around you. While Eleanor learns that the world around her is paranormal in nature, the book’s lessons about helping others and working together through crises can be applied to the real world. It helps its readers to find hope in seemingly hopeless situations, which is a much-needed skill in our world today.
