The Healing Spell

The Healing Spell

by

Kimberley Griffiths Little

Summary: Eleven-year-old Olivia, "Livie," is living with a paralyzing secret. Her mother is in a coma and she knows she is responsible for it. Now she must be the one who wakes up her mother before anyone finds out what happened on that horrible day.

Evaluation:

          Livie lives with her family on the bayous of Lousiana. She is stuck in the middle of two sisters who are nothing like her. Feeling like an outsider in her own home she is terrified to tell anyone what really happened to her mother for fear that they would hate her. When her father decides against the doctor's orders to bring her mother home, Livie is mortified. How can she help take care of her mother when she can't even touch her. The burden of guilt weighs Livie down to the point that she thinks it is written on her face. But, that is not the only thing that is weighing on her mind. Livie's world is changing. Her Aunt Colleen and cousin have come down from Minnesota to help, but do not understand her families dynamics. Almost immediately friction begins to tear the family apart. Her sisters, aunt, and cousin all resent Livie for not helping to take care of or even touch her mom. They all know she is hiding something but no one can figure out what. To make matters worse. her older sister, Faye, is getting married in a few weeks and leaving home, her little sister, Crickett, cries all the time, and her father is forced to quit his job so he can care for their mother.         This is a must read for anyone age nine and above. Though this is a middle grade reader, I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult. Little has the reader laughing, crying, hurting, and thinking along with Livie throughout the whole novel.

          With her world drastically changing, Livie decides that it is up to her to make her mother wake up. It is the only thing that can make things right. So she and her best friend visit the local traiteur to find a healing spell. To her surprise the healing spell is not a bunch of magic words, creepy voodoo, or automatic results. Instead, it forces her to find faith in herself, her family, and God. It also helps to break the chains of anger and guilt she feels for her mother. Her bravery is inspirational to young readers and her journey into coming of age is moving.

          This book is wonderful for young readers because it is about finding faith, having courage, healing, and the strength of family bonds. Being a realistic fiction, there are no true bad guys or evil doers. Instead, there are real feelings, situations, and universal truths that are applicable to almost all adolescents. Throughout the book, Livie struggles to find herself. She is constantly torn between doing the activities she loves, such as hunting and fishing, and becoming the proper young lady that her mother wants her to be. Her fears, anxieties, reactions, and points of view are so relatable that it even took me back to my preteen years. I love the part where she has to keep a memory journal. As a preteen this is a wonderful idea to help them only remember the good memories and let go of the bad.

          I highly recommend this book for all preteens. With the element of the super natural and the real life family drama of the Mouton clan make this an enjoyable read for all. Having the main character an eleven year old girl also makes the story very relatable. Most preteens at some point in their lives will try to find their independence, question their place in their family, and feel unloved. Livie's bravery and growth show the reader that our families do love us and see the good in us that sometimes even we don't see. It also teaches the reader that all members of our family have their own struggles and burdens to bear, and they are in need of our help, love, and forgiveness as we are in need of theirs.

Age and Genre: 9-11 years and up, Realistic Fiction

Links:
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