The Time of Green Magic Paperback – July 6, 2021

Ughh this book was so good I just wish I could read it again 🤦🏼‍♀️

I started reading this books so that I could help my 10 year old son read along and summarize the chapters for his book report. At first, when I asked, he said he chose this book because he liked the book cover. By the time we were done reading the book, he said that it was the best book he had read, because he got to spent so much time with me, like we used to when he was little. It is sort of magical, because the book itself tackles the meaning of family, and especially those special bonds that develop between a child and a parent or a sibling, from a very young age. There are a few relationship threads in this book, but the one between Louis and Iffen, is the most bittersweet of all. Iffen grew bigger as Louis’ longing for stability and consistency grew stronger. Abi’s ability to live in a magical world created by books, became less powerful as she emerged into the new family roles and Max sprinted into adulthood, despite the fear of growing up. There are many messages displayed throughout the book but I am certainly glad that my son and I got to read this book together, because it allowed us to talk about it after every chapter and explore the message but also the feelings that it brought up. In a weird way, this book, just like the Ivy House did for the blended family of 5 in the Time of Green Magic, gave back to my son and me, the magical time of reading together like we used to do when he was much younger.I highly recommend this book for both parents and children or pre-teens to read together, because it does have a very heavy use of symbolism and Hillary McKay’s excellent writing style could easily confuse younger children’s underdeveloped ability to connect the threads between reality and magic; facts and metaphors.

From the first glimpse of the cover, to the final page, I’ve enjoyed this captivating story immensely. Like the readers in the story, I feel transported while reading. The characters are quite lively and warm, and I found myself sharing their experience without wanting to take a break!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The cover is fantastic and I think will draw many readers that are attracted to fantasy books. I expected the story to be purely fantastical, but it has a touch of magic instead. The book almost seems divided into two distinct parts: realistic fiction about a blended family learning the give and take of finding their identity and each child finding their place in the family. For most of the story, the mother is off on assignment for work- I thought for too long a stretch according to how the character was developed. The tall skinny house covered with ivy is like a character itself. I do like how the author developed the step siblings relationships and applaud the dad's valiant effort to keep a demanding job and parenting three children all on his own while his wife is half a world away. This part was the strength of the book. The magical- fantasy elements of the book were weak. It took too long to develop and never seemed to gel. The realistic part and fantastical parts never came together in a meaningful way. Many readers described this as an eerie book- I did not pick up on this mood at all. I would say if you have a younger reader that is too scared for some of the more over-the-top spooky fantasy books- this would be a good pick. I think this story is more for elementary readers and younger middle school readers that frighten easily. This story is rather benign and did not stand up to the hype that I had been reading about the book, By the end, I was left wondering more about the source of the magic and how it was brought into the children's lives. I think the author could have spent more time on that aspect of the story. All in all a good story for younger readers with great character interaction and an awesome setting, however the magical elements fell flat.

This was a very good story written for intermediate readers. I enjoyed the book. Modern people and characters insist magic doesn't exist. Well, it wouldn't for people whose minds are closed to the possibilities. I am not entirely convinced, either way. I swear, sometimes, my cats teleport. Yes, I do recommend this book, especially to others not entirely convinced, either way.

Beautifully written. A great story. My “Adults Reading and Discussing Children's Books” book club loved it