The Spell Book of Listen Taylor
by Jaclyn Moriarty
by Jaclyn Moriarty
THE SPELL BOOK OF LISTEN TAYLOR by Jaclyn Moriarty
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 8/07
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine
Reviewed by: Lynn Crow
Rating: 5 Stars
12-year-old Listen Taylor, whose friends have decided to ditch her at the beginning of junior high, finds a spell book that
claims it will mend her broken heart. Her father's girlfriend, Marbie Zing, struggles with her fears of losing her happiness
and makes a terrible mistake. Marbie's sister, Fancy, speculates about her marriage as she works with Marbie to maintain
their family secret. And Cath, a young teacher, falls for a married co-worker and discovers her life has a lot more to it than
she ever suspected.
These four stories intertwine in THE SPELL BOOK OF LISTEN TAYLOR. Jaclyn Moriarty skillfully weaves together
the narratives over the course of a school year, drawing the characters closer and closer together, and closer to a climax
that is both surprising and inevitable. With each new strand, events that seemed unimportant in one narrative take on new
significance. Each character's story adds to the others, creating a bigger picture that is far more satisfying than any one
story would have been on its own.
Each of the characters are well-developed in their own right. Teen readers will likely sympathize most with Listen, who
must overcome the unspoken rules of popularity and friendships, and Cath, who is young enough to still be uncertain of her
place in the world. They may have more trouble relating to Marbie and Cath, who are dealing with issues of settling down
and marital satisfaction, subjects which rarely affect teens. However, this also means the book will appeal to adults as well
as children, and perhaps give teens a glimpse into the lives of their parents and teachers.
Despite the title and the spell book Listen finds, the spells which provide some framework for the story, THE SPELL
BOOK OF LISTEN TAYLOR is mainly a realistic novel, with a light shading of magic. Readers expecting sorcery and
special powers may be disappointed. But the hints of magic, in many ways, are far more enjoyable than if this book were
outright supernatural or fantasy. They suggest that the extraordinary is possible in everyday life, even if you're not a witch
or a wizard.
If you're looking for a quiet, thoughtful, but still suspenseful read, with a magic anyone can believe in, run out and grab
THE SPELL BOOK OF LISTEN TAYLOR. It is one of the most unique books I've read this year, and one I never
wanted to put down.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 8/07
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine
Reviewed by: Lynn Crow
Rating: 5 Stars
12-year-old Listen Taylor, whose friends have decided to ditch her at the beginning of junior high, finds a spell book that
claims it will mend her broken heart. Her father's girlfriend, Marbie Zing, struggles with her fears of losing her happiness
and makes a terrible mistake. Marbie's sister, Fancy, speculates about her marriage as she works with Marbie to maintain
their family secret. And Cath, a young teacher, falls for a married co-worker and discovers her life has a lot more to it than
she ever suspected.
These four stories intertwine in THE SPELL BOOK OF LISTEN TAYLOR. Jaclyn Moriarty skillfully weaves together
the narratives over the course of a school year, drawing the characters closer and closer together, and closer to a climax
that is both surprising and inevitable. With each new strand, events that seemed unimportant in one narrative take on new
significance. Each character's story adds to the others, creating a bigger picture that is far more satisfying than any one
story would have been on its own.
Each of the characters are well-developed in their own right. Teen readers will likely sympathize most with Listen, who
must overcome the unspoken rules of popularity and friendships, and Cath, who is young enough to still be uncertain of her
place in the world. They may have more trouble relating to Marbie and Cath, who are dealing with issues of settling down
and marital satisfaction, subjects which rarely affect teens. However, this also means the book will appeal to adults as well
as children, and perhaps give teens a glimpse into the lives of their parents and teachers.
Despite the title and the spell book Listen finds, the spells which provide some framework for the story, THE SPELL
BOOK OF LISTEN TAYLOR is mainly a realistic novel, with a light shading of magic. Readers expecting sorcery and
special powers may be disappointed. But the hints of magic, in many ways, are far more enjoyable than if this book were
outright supernatural or fantasy. They suggest that the extraordinary is possible in everyday life, even if you're not a witch
or a wizard.
If you're looking for a quiet, thoughtful, but still suspenseful read, with a magic anyone can believe in, run out and grab
THE SPELL BOOK OF LISTEN TAYLOR. It is one of the most unique books I've read this year, and one I never
wanted to put down.