What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that there is little of concern here, though the mom is mostly irritable and sometimes unfair, and the children's father recently left them. As the series progresses, the themes are a little darker. Parents may want to preview the books going forward for their younger readers.

Families can talk about how the siblings handle their feelings about their father's absence.

Common Sense Media Review
The three siblings, and their mom, have some issues: the father has recently left them, and they are all angry and hurt, especially Jared. They express in different ways: Jared gets into fights at school, Simon shuts them all out by immersing himself in the animal world, and Mallory furiously practices her fencing. These problems create an interesting interplay with the fantasy elements, as they see aspects of themselves expressed in the faerie world: Jared "knew what it was like to be mad, and he knew how easy it was to get into a fight, even if you were really mad at someone else. And he thought that just maybe that was how the boggart felt."

In addition to the quick and fascinating story, these books are pleasurable physical objects as well: small and lightweight, with irregularly cut pages, and illustrations on nearly every spread, including a map of the area and a couple of color plates, they have a delightfully old-fashioned feel that fairly cries out to be read. Add to that the short length (107 pgs.) and fluid readability that will appeal even to reluctant readers without seeming babyish, and you may have the perfect summer read for the middle elementary crowd. And maybe even a few adults too.

From Our Sponsors