One Jar of Magic by Corey Ann Haydu (review)

Haydu, Corey Ann One Jar of Magic. Tegen/HarperCollins, 2021 [352p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780062689856 $16.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780062689863 $9.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 4-6

All her life, Rose Alice Anders has been destined to follow in her father's footsteps as the capturer of the most magic in jars during the town's annual New Year's Day gathering. This year, the year she turns twelve, she'll join the celebration, jars in hand, and triumphantly fulfill all expectations. Trouble ensues when Rose only captures one jar, disappointing her beloved father—whose unpredictable, selfcentered dominance of the family is quickly revealed to be abusive—and touching off a major identity crisis about who Rose is if she's not a magic-catching wonder tween; if, instead, she's Not Meant for Magic. Readers, like Rose, will question why exactly magic is such a big deal in this world: sure, it can do small amusing things, but it can't save the life of best friend Ginger's father, erase the source of a mother's sadness, or make broken friendships whole again. Magic can be read as a stand-in for any number of problematic social values (popularity, patriarchy, heteronormativity, etc.), and the town's belief that people like Rose's father capture more magic because they deserve to, because they're better than others, will definitely evoke discussion. Rose's decision to embrace being Not Meant for Magic enables her to seek out broader familial and communal relationships and begin developing an independent sense of self. Gently honest and emotionally astute, this would pair well with Reese's A Game of Fox & Squirrels (BCCB 4/20) in its treatment of complex experiences of emotional and physical trauma. An author's note with resources to help abuse victims is included.