About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is complaining of boredom or struggling to find the magic in everyday routines and visits to relatives. It is a perfect bridge for early readers who are transitioning into longer stories but still crave high-stakes imagination. The story follows siblings Stevie and Jane as a routine visit to an elderly neighbor transforms into a portal-based adventure involving a mysterious gift. Beyond the fantasy elements, the book explores the rewarding nature of curiosity and the unexpected bonds that can form between generations. It encourages children to look past first impressions of people and places, showing that 'boring' settings often hide the most exciting secrets. It is an ideal choice for building reading confidence in 6 to 9 year olds through accessible language and a fast-paced mystery.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is entirely secular and safe. It touches lightly on the trope of the 'mysterious elderly neighbor,' but reframes it through a lens of mentorship and magic rather than fear or senility. There are no heavy themes of loss or trauma.
