Jess Redman (1)

In THE MIRACULOUS, the first novel by therapist Jess Redman, a boy named Wunder has considered himself an expert in the field of miracles. He has created a book called "The Miraculous" that he's filled with examples of miracles, both ordinary and extraordinary. But when his baby sister dies after only eight days of living, Wunder's belief in miracles dries up, and he finds himself struggling with his faith and his place in the world. He then meets an unusual cape-wearing girl named Faye, who show more challenges him to find answers. The two encounter a mysterious figure who asks them to help her with a task that will change their lives, and the lives of the people in their community.

Jess Redman has written a stunning debut novel that will help youngsters deal with grief — their own or that of their friends — while being enthralled with a magical, fantastical story filled with wondrous characters, gorgeous writing, and great hope. Although the subject is serious, Redman handles it deftly and brings lightness and some humor to it. This is a stunning story the expresses the complexities and mysteries of love and death. This is a serious novel that is also playful, and full of wry humor. Yes, this is a heavy book (it deals with death and grief), with some heavy handed story telling elements (hence only the 4 stars) that also happens to have an anticlimactic ending but it works! It is filled with such honesty and heart it is hard to dislike. It's a small miracle of a book. show less

I received this galley through NetGalley.

Alma is the awkward new kid in town. Her parents love her and fuss over her, but Alma just wants to feel like herself again and stop having ‘episodes.’ A flier for a school astronomy club captures her imagination like nothing else in months, and sets her on a path to start making friends as she investigates a strange falling star.

I was bothered at first by how the kids are prodded together in a way that, under non fantasy book circumstances, show more would be really creepy. But I loved the divergent personalities of the kids and the book was an incredibly fast, fun read once they came together. There is a strong message of empowerment. Alma suffers from debilitating panic attacks. As magical as the book is at times, this isn’t a book about miracle cures. Really, one of the things I enjoyed most was that the book made an effort to balance genuine science with a sense of magic. One didn’t cancel out the other. I enjoyed Quintessence more and more as I read through, and the end left me with a big smile. show less

I very much enjoyed this magical realism novel about Alma Lucas, a middle-grader who struggles with anxiety, but is determined to save a fallen star (a "Starling"). The Starling reminds me of the movie "Stardust" though that fallen star is healthy and acerbic as opposed to the failing child Starling. I love the diverse characters: Alma, fearful, creative, determined; Hugo, confident with science, but socially unsure; Shirin, outgoing, popular, open to new people, loyal; Dustin the "bad boy" show more who's trying to be good; the ShopKeeper, a wise old gnome-like being. I love the village of Four Points with its organized layout of directions and elements: First Point - North - Deep Downs - Earth; Second Point - East - Peak - Air/Wind; Third Point - South - Forest - Fire; Fourth Point - West - Spring - Water; Fifth Point - Center - Tower - Sky. I love the structure of the story, of Chapters within titled Parts such as "The Quintescope" and each of the four elements. Finally, I love the theme of quintessence. We are all filled with quintessence, we need only look within and acknowledge our trues selves, our soul-ness. But we cannot do it alone. We need the support of family and friends to grow our quintessence. So says the Shopkeeper and so I believe. show less

Wunder’s family is reeling with grief after the death of his 8-day old sister. His mother locks herself in the bedroom. His father spends late nights at work. Wunder, who once believed in miracles and collected true stories about miracles, doubts their existence. A mysterious old woman who has taken up residence in the abandoned DoorWay House, and the support of Faye, a new friend, eventually redirect Wunder’s grief and doubts towards realizing love. This story more or less follows the show more stages of grief. show less