Wanda Seasongood and the Mostly True Secret

Wanda Seasongood is convinced she belongs elsewhere. Her brother Zane is a nightmare, her parents are oblivious, and she is always the one blamed. On her 11th birthday, a talking bird named Voltaire leads her into the Scary Wood to find her 'real' family. They encounter magical obstacles and eventually face the witch Raymunda, realizing that her current family is hers, but they are all victims of a magical interference that has warped their bonds. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book handles family dysfunction metaphorically through the lens of a curse. While there is a sense of emotional neglect early on, it is secular and resolved through a hopeful, magical lens that reinforces family loyalty. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with a heavy sense of isolation and resentment but quickly shifts into a high energy adventure. It concludes with a satisfying and warm restoration of family unity. IDEAL READER: A 10 year old who is frequently in conflict with a younger sibling and feels that their parents are 'unfair' or that they don't quite fit the family mold. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might choose this after hearing their child shout 'I wish I lived with a different family' or seeing a child withdraw due to sibling-related stress. PARENT PREP: No specific content warnings are necessary, but parents should be ready to discuss how 'curses' in the book might represent real-world moods or misunderstandings. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers will focus on the slapstick humor of Zane and the magical creatures. Older readers will appreciate the 'Princess Bride' style wit and the deeper themes of identity. DIFFERENTIATOR: It uses the 'changeling' trope in reverse, allowing the protagonist to choose her family once the magical scales fall from her eyes.