The Alchemy of Letting Go

by Amber Morrell

A young scientist finds a magical way to escape death, but can't escape her emotions.

Twelve-year-old Juniper Edwards can't stop chasing the endangered butterfly her sister died trying to catch. In her grief, Juniper finds comfort in her family's study of insects, because science is based on logic, order, and control. But then Juniper's search for the butterfly nearly kills her, too, and when she wakes up with newfound abilities, she discovers that the line between science and magic--and life and death--is not as solid as she thought. With the help of her mysterious neighbors, Juniper tries an experiment to change things back to the way they were. Its result will force her to face the fact that some things are way beyond her control.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Childrens, Magical Realism, Contemporary, Fiction, Young Adult

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 27, 2023

About the author

Amber Morrell writes whimsical fantasy and science fiction for children and adults. Her work explores the liminal spaces between science and magic. In her free time, she plays D&D, watches Star Trek, and makes TikTok videos about esoteric knowledge. Amber hails from Southern California. The Alchemy of Letting Go is her first novel.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juniper has lost her sister two years ago, to an accident that happened when she was trying to catch an endangered butterfly to add to her scientific collection. Juniper has now made it her life’s goal to catch and mount that self-same butterfly, endangered or not.

That is the set up for an interesting take on trying to bring the dead back to life, and finding magic.

Can you bring the dead back to life? Much like Frankenstein’s Monster and M is for Monster, you can sure try, but you might not like what you get.

I love how this is all perfectly normal, when Juniper discovers she has magic that can make things grow, and dead plants come back to life. Surely that can be used on a human.

We all want to bring our loved ones back, when they were taken too soon. But will they be the same? Have we changed? Will they have changed?
I must say I had no idea how the story would go. It surprised and delighted me. Good book

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Renee Godding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 2.5/5 stars

The Alchemy of Letting Go on paper is the exact kind of book that I love to review and recommend. It was sold to me as middle-grade fiction with a relatable portrayal of grief and a 12-year old girl with a strong science-interest in the lead. Grief + STEM + a hint of magic: sign me up!
Unfortunately, the execution of this book let me down, and although the book does nothing “wrong”, from the perspective of an own-voice sensitivity reader and reviewer, I cannot give this story more than 3 stars.

The Story:
We follow Juniper Lane, a 12-year old entomologist-to-be, who “caught the bug” from her scientist parents and older sister Ingrid, who was fascinated with the local endangered butterfly population. Since Ingrid tragically passed away 2 years ago, Juniper has picked up her research. An incident during one of her fieldtrips leads her to discover newfound abilities that blur the line between magic and science. Juniper tries an experiment to change things back to the way they were, but the results aren’t what she expected.

What I liked:
I really liked the combination of magic and science featured in this story. Early on in the story, things begin to happen that Juniper cannot explain. She turns to what she knows; her scientific mind, to try to make sense of these events and treats the magic as an experiment in a new science subject. Many middle-grade magic stories are about the protagonists learning to “control their emotions” in order to control their magic. I loved seeing a different side in this story; one of a girl who’s already very rational in her approach, learning that it’s okay to show and feel her softer and more emotional side.
Mateo as a side character in particular helped as her counterpart, and I loved their accepting and supportive friendship.

What I didn’t like:
There are 2 things that a middle-grade book about grief must nail in my opinion; a relatable portrayal of our protagonist and their grief, and a positive/helpful/supportive representation of the adult figures in their lives. For me, both were lacking a little.
The first is mostly due to Junipers character, who I found very unlikable. She’s extremely flatly written; her only character trait being that she likes science, which we’re told about 2x every page. She’s also very single-minded in that and has little regard for the feelings of others around her. It made it difficult to emotionally connect to her, when even something so personal as the magical search for the sister she misses so much, is seemingly nothing more than an experiment to her.
Some of the biggest misconceptions us STEM-girls/women face is the stereotype of the “emotionally stunted kid without a social radar”. Having our protagonist fall into many of these traps doesn’t seem like a great portrayal for a children’s novel. Granted; Juniper is called out on her behaviour, but isn’t shown to learn from it on page.
The same argument can be made for Junipers parents as the relevant adult figures in her life. They’re shown as similarly cold and rational and don’t offer any healthy support or help. This is crucial to any good middle-grade grief for me: we have to teach our kids that it’s okay to seek (adult) help in these situations and not from the crazy lady in the abandoned house next door .

SPOILERS:
Finally, there’s a tricky trope used that I don’t think worked out the way the author intended. I’m generally not a fan of the “bringing-the-dead-back-to-life”-trope. The forever-ness of death is one of the scariest things to face in grief, and this trope undercuts it.
I understand what the book tried to do: to have this experience teach Juniper that bringing her sister back was impossible, and things wouldn’t be the same as before regardless. I don’t like the way it was done however for multiple reasons:
1. Juniper first realises that the girl she brought back isn’t her sister because “she likes other things than science now”. I’m a little baffled how the author thought this was a good idea. People change in 2 years’ time, and the way this was handled almost made it feel like Juniper would rather have the memory of her deceased sister than a sister who’s grown and expanded their interests. Not to mention the plot-hole that this sister was supposedly a representation of Junipers memory of her. In that case, she should’ve been the exact opposite, as they idealized version Juniper remembers her as.
2. in the end, Juniper accepts and lets go of the idea of bringing her sister back. Yet the magical not-sister still remains as a presence in her life and even becomes sort of a friend of hers. The message of “you might not get your sister back, but here’s a new friend for your trouble” seemed very strange to me.

Overall, I can see the beautiful butterfly at the core of this novel, but I feel it needed a few changes within the cocoon to work for me. It’s an enjoyable middle-grade magical adventure story, but as a story about grief I can’t quite recommend it.

Many thanks to Albert Whitman & Company for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Justine Winans · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ALCHEMY OF LETTING go is a fun and whimsical MG that will have readers hooked through the heartwarming (and maybe just a touch bittersweet) ending. Juniper is such a smart and lively protagonist, and it is so enjoyable to see her love of science and entomology, but it's even better to follow her on this magical journey and see how she grows for the better. The blend of science and magic, of factual details and poetic, makes this book perfect for kids interested in STEM but just as approachable for those more into the arts. The real beauty and heart of the book lies in the relationship a lonely girl has to loss, and how she builds new relationships around her and learns to accept it in a way that works for her.

Overall, an absolutely stunning debut that masterfully balances rich and emotional themes with fun and enchanting magic and alchemy. Definitely not one to miss!

[Sydney Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Throughout the story, there is a continuous pairing of science and magic, and it was so interesting to follow and think about. The main character, Juniper, was so appealing, and I rooted for her from the very beginning. She is so intelligent, but also has some important lessons to learn about being careful what you wish for, as well as appreciating others whose talents may be different, but also valid.

I stayed up very late finishing this book because I couldn't put it down until I saw what happened. I found the ending to be satisfying, and I wouldn't have predicted it, yet it made perfect sense. This, to me, is the best kind of ending! I would give THE ALCHEMY OF LETTING GO the highest possible recommendation, and I think it will be equally appealing to those interested in books with a STEM focus, as well as those who enjoy whimsical stories with elements of magic.

[Malia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such fun MG book! I loved Juniper (MC) and all her science-loving glory. She was just so real and so true to herself. The situation she found herself in had me turning pages late into the night. I was especially happy with the Etsy concession in the Epilogue :)

[Emily Deibert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful middle grade debut about grief and friendship, interwoven with both science and magic. Thank you to NetGalley and Albert Whitman & Company for the eARC!

In THE ALCHEMY OF LETTING GO, 12-year-old Juniper is grieving the death of her older sister who, like Juniper, was a scientist. Juniper begins the story somewhat closed-off from her classmates and at times rigid in her thinking, but after encountering magic next door to her—and discovering magical abilities of her own—Juniper sets off on a quest to bring her sister back all while learning that science and magic aren't so different after all.

Juniper's grief was very relatable to me, as someone who also lost an immediate family member at 12 years old. I really liked the science woven throughout the story, and the tidbits of knowledge about butterflies and conservation. For me, the side characters were a highlight—Mateo was a great character, and I would love to hear more about his journey with magic! I also really liked Chelsea, and without spoiling anything, I'm happy about how her story resolved.

I'd recommend this story for science-minded MG readers or anyone grieving a loved one.

[Susan Ladd · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can’t go wrong with an MC named Juniper. I was so compelled to follow her story. She’s relatable, and filled with agency and emotional heart. While The Alchemy of Letting Go oozes with science and magic, it was the heart of the story that got me. There were so many touching moments and points of realization for Juniper. She is a character everyone can connect with. Top that with a medley of fun and interesting characters, this made for a great read. Thank you so much for the preview.

[Matt McMann · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ALCHEMY OF LETTING GO is a beautifully told story of science and magic, love and loss, and the healing power of releasing our grip on beloved things whose season has passed. Debut author Amber Morel is a terrific talent, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

[Nicole Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you need a heartfelt book about science, nature, magic and letting go — and if you’re lucky it comes to you while you’re young and it can become part of your DNA.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Juniper's parents are entomologists, and she and her sister Ingrid shared their passion, especially for adding a rare and endangered Palos Verdes Blue wild butterfly to their collection. After Ingrid's death two years ago, Juniper is obsessed with fulfilling what she sees is a task for her sister. When a stone shimmering with green light appears in her pocket after she almost drowns at the same place her sister met her death, Juniper finds out that magic is real. A new boy at school, Mateo, also knows that magic is real, and warns her against investigating it, but new neighbor, Artemis Alderdice, next door entices her into their world of science and magic by telling her that they know a spell that will bring Ingrid back. It seems fairly successful, and no one but Mateo seems to remember that Ingrid had died, but the reanimated Ingrid isn't quite the same. When Artemis reveals her own evil plans, Juniper knows that Mateo might be right. But how can she change things?

Readers who like books that center grieving, from Lawrence's Fire on Headless Mountain to Guterson's The Einsteins of Vista Point to Patterson and Grabenstein's Best Nerds Forever will find Juniper's magical coping strategies interesting.

It's sad when people die, but every body dies. The idea of bringing the dead back to life should appeal to no one. Also, Juniper clearly need to work through a lot of issues with a therapist but doesn't seem to be seeing one, although it was refreshing to see that her parents weren't paralyzed with grief.

[Can Dragons Read? · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this eARC!

This is one of the best middle grades I've read in a long time! I loved how the story incorporated both magic and science, it gave it such a whimsical feeling! I also loved how it had an important topic as well-grief. It was very easy to relate on that topic. Of course, I also loved the friendship between Juniper and Mateo, middle grade friendships are some wholesome and lovable. I will say, juniper's character wasn't written the best and sometimes she seemed one dimensional but overall, a really good story.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This only got a three because it’s hard to make me enjoy a book about mourning a sibling. It’s a terrifying concept and I can’t handle it. So ignore me, this was probably really good, with a science minded kid dealing with magic.

Also, I think the protagonist was supposed to be neurodivergent but I completely missed that (well, seeing my family that’s not a big shock) so again I was clearly a bad reader.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

I have gone back and forth on my thoughts on this book. I like the emphasis on science, particularly the focus on butterflies, but I didn't love that Juniper seemed to not be more than the stereotypical girl who likes science and nothing else. I also really liked how this book looks at grief and the struggle with wanting to see our loved ones who have passed away, but Juniper needs some therapy, especially after her own experience at the nature preserve. So there were a number of things I liked about the book, but some I'm undecided on.

[Emily Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

What tropes, vibes, and themes does this book include?
Grief and learning to let (as the title says!), friendship, and understanding differences in interests/opinions are Okay. As for the vibes, it gives off magical realism dipped in science.

Who should read this?
If you have a knack for science, this might be the book for you, since it is a heavy element (haha). Also, those interested in light magic. It might be handy in helping a child (or an adult) process their grief after losing a loved one, as this is the central theme of the book.

What ages are appropriate?
Children ages 9-11 would enjoy this book.

Trigger Warning: death and reference to dying, mild violence, necromancy.

Review with minimum spoilers:
Twelve-year old Juniper is going through the grieving process after her older sister died two years prior. But her scientific understanding of the world is challenged after she acquires new magical abilities and meets the two magicians next door.
I went into this book not knowing exactly what to expect, and it did throw be for a loop at the start when Juniper meets her magician neighbors Artemis and Soren, who open up a whole that can of worms called alchemy. I was expecting lots of science mixed with magic, lots of weird alchemy things from the medieval times, but it fell flat in that department. Magic there was, but it really felt unrelated to the alchemy I was promised at the start. The only bit that did feel relevant to alchemy was when Juniper creates a new body for her sister at the middle of the book.
As for the characters -- the children, at least -- they all felt a little boxed into their interests and personalities. Juniper is heavily into science, Mateo into poetry, Chelsea into art, Ingrid is your typical teenage girl. When I was twelve (and as a teenager) I had a variety of interests ranging from video games to cooking to photography and so on. They all felt a bit two-dimensional.
All in all it was not a bad book at all, and I enjoyed reading it, but it is a much better fit for a younger audience.

[Nancy Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an entertaining read with a unique premise.

I liked how the opening drew me in smoothly with slow introduction of more than everyday-life elements.

I also liked that the emotional depiction of the young teens seemed well-done and believable.

The resolution was satisfying and a layer deeper than foreseen with a bit of a flavor of Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials”.

Occasionally adult authority figures behaved in ways I wouldn’t expect or which didn’t make total sense in response to events but it was a minor aspect that didn’t really distract from the overall book or plot.

There were points I felt that hearing the main character announce she wanted to be scientific were repetitive and didn’t drive the plot forward and could have been trimmed, or that outlook could have been woven more integrally into the plot to indicate better a sense of how someone with that inclination would approach or grasp things. It felt a little superficial without conveying what makes someone with those inquisitive and logical traits tick - maybe more like a preconception by a humanities major of a STEM focus being rigid and fact-based rather than insightful. But again, as a plot element, that aspect was not a large issue and overall the story and protagonist’s arc were interesting and satisfying, with a sense of thought and reflection having gone into the story for the reader to enjoy.

Kudos to the author!

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare for me to find a book that so completely subverts my expectations and predictions, which makes me love this one all the more. As I started reading, I had a sense in the back of my mind that I knew where this was going. Then about halfway through, I was completely proven wrong. Having learned nothing, I again naively thought I had an idea where the story was going, only to be once again surprised! And yet, it did not feel contrived or disingenuous; rather, the ending was very fitting, and I can't think of a better way to resolve all the various elements of the story.

Debut author Amber Morrell provides a thoughtful portrait of one girl's attempts to honor her sister. Though the book appeals to a STEM audience (as many others have noted here), I found it equally accessible to a non-STEM audience; Juniper (MC) explains her methods and scientific terms in grade-level appropriate language.

The blending of science/real world with magic, the thoughtful examination of grief, and the novelty and originality of the book as a whole should appeal to a broad range of readers, both of the target age group and above (I am a strong believer that adults should read more books that are aimed at children!). Overall, a beautiful book!

[Cliff Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely story does something that great fairy tales have been doing throughout the ages: it helps us explore death and loss by changing the rules of life as we know it—sometimes overtly, sometimes subtly, but always magically. As a big fan of the modern fantasies like A Monster Calls and Spirited Away, I love the way that The Alchemy of Letting Go effortlessly weaves otherworldly magic into the fabric of everyday modern life. Kids will find it relatable and yet wonderfully transportive. Maybe most importantly, this book creates a world where, without looking away from hard truths, young readers can think about grief and healing in a safe and healthy way.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet and unique book. It's a rare gem to find a story that features--and celebrates--a protagonist like Juniper. I used to work at a STEM education nonprofit, so it was a delight to encounter this young woman of science as she tackles some very real life difficulties. Using research and the study of the natural world as a way to stay connected with her sister's memory was powerful. I am not sure if the author intended it, but Juniper is coded as Autistic and it's handled in a very respectful way that also delves into some of the frustrations of being neurodivergent in a world designed for neurotypical people.

She reminds me of several of my Autistic friends, but especially a friend I grew up with who recently realized they have alexithymia, which in Greek translates to "no words for emotion." It's estimated 1 in 10 people has alexythymia, but it is much more common in people with Autism and people with depression. Those who have alexithymia absolutely have the same emotions as everyone else, but they may have trouble identifying, understanding, and describing them. It's wonderful to see how the author depicted this for Juniper in a straightforward and nonjudgmental way. There were none of the ableist tropes of it being something tragic or something to "overcome" with masking or pressures to fit in. Seeing alexythymia play out in a story helped me understand my friend's perspective in a way research never could.

I suspect some readers, especially allistic readers, may struggle to find Juniper "likeable" at the beginning because she seems antisocial and struggles to figure out her empathy. But her warmth absolutely comes through in multiple ways, especially her love for her sister and her deep desire to do what's right even in a world that gets increasingly complex and hard to quantify. I suspect also that giving this book to an allistic 12-yr old will help them have empathy for the experience of Autistic kids, even if that aspect of her identity is never explained outright.

I will absolutely recommend this to my friends who are parenting kids in middle school, especially the ones with neurodivergent kids. Triply so for anyone with a kid who's grieving. I cannot tell you how much I wish I could magically teleport back to hand a copy of this book to my childhood friend in middle school, so they could see themself in a protagonist, and learn alongside them as Juniper figures out what kind of life she wants and how she belongs in the world. Sometimes, the most vital thing is to know you're not alone.

[Paper Privateer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this one. It offers an interesting approach to grief and bringing the dead back to life, but it didn’t have the emotional weight I would expect from a book that covers those topics.

It’s tricky to combine magic with a character who loves science and the scientific method. Juniper eventually says it’s fine because magic is just a science we don’t understand, but some interactions between these two things are still a little weird sometimes. Overall, combining science and magic in a real-world setting is an interesting way to talk about grief and life, and I loved this interpretation of magic.

My main complaint with this book was it felt more shallow than it should have. It should have had a lot of emotional depth considering the amount of grief to the point where she’s trying to bring the dead back to life, or even with how she processes her magical powers, but it fell flat.

Juniper as a character is somewhat lacking. She loves science to the detriment of almost everything else. She does irresponsible and dangerous things in the name of science, but it seems like someone so in love with the scientific method would be a little more cautious about some of the things she does. There’s not much depth to her character other than us being constantly told that she loves science. I never felt her love for her sister or even that she missed her that much, even though we’re told she does because It’s necessary for that plot.

I did like the interpretation of how we and other people change and how our memories of the people we love may not capture everything about who that person is. Unfortunately, some of the implementation of this doesn’t work as well as it should have, as the explanation we’re given doesn’t match what’s actually happening (being vague to avoid spoilers, but it has to do with how Juniper realizes something is strange about her sister). The ending is unsatisfying because of how the main plot points are resolved and we’re supposed to accept that Juniper has gone through growth to accept this reality, but she hasn’t in the book's text.

Overall, this book has some beautiful elements and interesting ideas, but the execution was a little lacking in a way that took away from both the creative elements and my overall enjoyment of the book.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. The opinions are my own and were not influenced by receiving a copy.

[Lena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Review will cointain spoilers!!

I really wanted to like this book, but there were just too many things that bothered me.

First of all: What is the book about? Juniper is a 12 year old girl who loves science and misses her dead sister. She promised her to catch the rare butterfly. After an accident she discovered that she got magic and gets to know a magican and scientist that lives next door.

The story itself sounded promising. A young girl that loves science and magic? That's for me. But sadly it wasn't.

I needed way longer than I thought to get into the story and to be honest, I don't really know if I ever really got into it.

Juniper felt very unlikable for me and she was quite self-centered all the time. She didn't cared for the feelings of the people around her. Her way to grief was the only right one. One thing that felt kind of odd to me was that her sister was already dead for two years and her parents didn't take her to therapy. You could see the whole story that Juniper was struggling but the parents didn't seem to care about it.

Another thing that felt a bit odd was, that she got Ingrid back through magig (she got her body back but not her soul) and after some time, Juniper realised that the girl isn't really her sister because she doesn't like science and has different interests than before her death. The girl isn't her sister but even if she was, it wouldn't be surprising if she had other interests than before her death because she was dead for to years and would be 14 (at least I think).

This book promised a lot but it felt very flat for me. I didn't really liked Juniper as a main character and the story was a bit confusing at some times.

It makes me really sad that I didn't really enjoyed this story because it was an deput.

My rating is more like a 2.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Albert Whitman & Company for this EARC!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Alchemy of Letting Go is a touching, sweet middle grade novel. At the surface level, it's about magic, science, and art, and the ways that those things work together or opposed to one another. However, I was most touched by the themes of grief and loss. This is a story about grief, not only Juniper's grief of her sister, but also the grief of growing up. There is a grief inherent in being Juniper's age that comes with recognizing that the people around you are changing, and you're changing, and nothing will ever go back to how things used to be. Juniper is not only grieving her sister, but she also grieves her childhood friends (who have such different interests that they are hardly friends anymore) and her parents (who just have not been the same since her sister died). Juniper struggles against that change throughout the entire novel in a way that took me back to my own hopelessly frustrating seventh grader days. And getting to the end of this story of hope, magic, love, and "letting go" was like a breath of fresh air for that inner pre-teen. This is absolutely the kind of story I would have borrowed from the library over and over again as a middle schooler, and it stands as a truly wonderful work for an adult reader.

It took me a while to write this review. As an adult, I read this book in about two sittings, but I wanted to get some feedback from some of my fifth grade students to get a real picture from the target audience. Over a few weeks I was able to share some excerpts from the first 5 chapters or so and several of my students were VERY upset that I did not have more copies of the book to share. So that's a glowing review all on its own! I'm really looking forward to picking up enough copies to satisfy the demand in my classroom library.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Juniper Edwards came by her scientific mind naturally through her parents. Studying insects is a family affair, capturing and cataloging them a hobby. When Juniper's sister dies searching for the endangered Palos Verdes Blue butterfly, the twelve-year-old cannot help but pick up the hunt. A near death experience for Juniper results in newfound abilities, magical ones that give the young girl hope that she can change things. Will these new realizations help the girl heal from her loss or cause more heartache?

Dealing with the loss of her sister, Juniper turns to science for comfort. Her parents handle the loss of their daughter in different ways as well, with none of them recognizing the grief in a public way. Juniper ends up turning to magic, grasping at any way of changing the life the family now lives. Overall, none of the adults in Juniper's life do enough to help her with her grief. I am not sure how realistic this is, though some real-life families would deal with grief by hiding from it. Juniper herself does not feel three dimensional, as she is portrayed in her single minded view of using science to solve her problems. I am not sure I would recommend The Alchemy of Letting Go to young readers because the author spends a lot of time on trying to hide from or use unrealistic means to deal with the loss of a loved one.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this novel was entirely my own.

[OpenedBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

When young scientist Juniper nearly drowns in a creek where her sister had died two years before, she experiences an event that grants her magical powers. Her new abilities enable her to let living things grow and even bring things back to life. This is her chance at getting her sister back, but soon Juniper has to admit that “some things can’t be fixed…not even with magic.”

This book isn’t mainly about magic. It is about grief. And to give someone magical powers who is grieving is never a good idea. But magic linked to emotions, especially grief, can do more harm than good. And so it shows with Juniper and Artemis.

Amber Morell did outstanding work in letting Juniper feel her loss but ultimately accept it as a part of her. We know today that grief is a process of our brain adapting to a world without the person we lost. And that takes time. The anger and panic Juniper experiences are all signs of the still-existent grief she is facing. Her healing process - her adaptation - is incomplete. But she needs more than just therapy. She needs people who show her who she is without her sister. A person who deserves to be loved, have dreams and be happy again. Having a butterfly as a symbol of that grief was a brilliant choice. It’s a bold metaphor for Juniper’s metamorphosis throughout the book, making it much more fulfilling to see her coming out of her cocoon.

This debut novel is wise, emotional, and full of metaphors. I loved every minute of it.

[R Birchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

TL;DR: This book’s good. It’s very good, especially for a debut novel. I always lower my expectations a bit for debuts, since they’re often a little rough around the edges, but I’m happy to report that my expectations were blown out of the water (or perhaps creek might be more appropriate?). Pick up a copy, especially if you’ve got a science-obsessed middle schooler in your life. They’ll really enjoy the book.

Onto the actual review:

This novel’s got a little bit of everything: Magic, scientific protagonists, butterflies galore, a talking lemur, new friendships, fun characters, and emotionally compelling conflicts. Refreshingly, there isn’t really any true “villain” of the novel, which adds such a delightful layer of complexity to the novel I don’t normally see in middle-grade fiction. The protagonist’s science-obsession is also very refreshing. In a genre littered with escapism outside of the classroom, it’s nice to see a protagonist who actually enjoys learning. The novel’s thematic and emotional heartbeat, the relationship and loss of an older sister, managed to make me cry a little every time it was mentioned, and came to a very cathartic resolution.

For a debut novel, this is about as perfect as one can get. I eagerly await to see what Ms. Morrell has in store next. (A Sequel/companion following Matheo, I hope!)

[Sophia Nicolopoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

After many months of reading across a variety of books and authors and trying out different genres, I finally found one book that I read *almost* in a sitting. Rich in its emotional complexity and stakes, with the theme of grief and isolation while growing up, Amber Morrell's debut novel is bound to take your breath away. Mature and sensitive, it's a tale of love, friendship, and acceptance of what's long gone for everyone, children and adults. Very well-crafted, in terms of character, pace, and plot, I have little to add for this small gem of a middle-grade book that happened upon my life last year at WorldCon in Glasgow, where I attended the panel of the author and met with her. There's been lots of thought behind every scene, and I can't help but admire the author's ability to tackle life and death with the playfulness and seriousness needed from a middle-grade book.

From the moment I got my hands on that book, I knew I was going to love it, partly because of the summary and the themes it tackled, partly because of my own WIP at that time in my life that I decided to put on hold. After reading through Morrell's novel, though, and after getting inspired to pick it up again, I'm certain that I can pick up that book idea and write the middle-grade book I've always wanted to write.

Thank you, Amber, for inspiring me and for sharing this gift of a book with us!

[Cathy Z]

This book combines a subject I am neutral about and an element I am obsessed with: science and magic. This book portrays serious and solemn stories about friendship, family, and right and wrong. It contains the 4 most important principles of science, such as how to research questions and how to conclude your research. June is always wanting to collect the "Blue," an endangered species of butterfly that needs to be wild. She collected it for her sister before her death. But because of some accidental incidents, she magically obtained the power of magic! And following a sudden jolt of memory, she started to miss her sister like crazy. Therefore, she tried to bring her back to life with her superpowers, and it worked! She brought her sister back to life effortlessly, which later gave her the opportunity to do an experiment as the apprentice of the world-famous doctor. This also led to an unimaginable series of stories.

[Laura P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science-minded Juniper is determined to carry out her sister Ingrid's goal of capturing the rare Palos Verdes Blue butterfly after Ingrid dies. But when Juniper experiences a magical event, which leaves her with magical abilities, a new goal takes over--to bring her sister back.

This is a sweet story about grief and, as the title suggests, letting go. Through the course of the book, Juniper transforms from a science-obsessed loner to an accepting friend. The author creates a beautiful blend of science and magic with endearing characters and an engaging plot line. I loved how the sections of the book are broken down by scientific method (observe, question, hypothesize, etc.).

Middle grade readers everywhere will fall in love with this book!

[John Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Losing a sibling at any age is devastating. For twelve year old Juniper, it's particularly painful because they had a shared love of butterflies. When older sister Ingrid drowned while trying to capture a rare blue specimen, Juniper's world fractured. The decrepit house next door suddenly transforms and the woman and her seeming lemur companion fascinate Juniper. When the woman hints at the possibility of bringing Ingrid back, Juniper, who nearly drowned herself searching for signs of Ingrid, jumps at the chance.
The ensuing efforts result in something unexpected and that first thrill, then dismay Juniper before becoming something completely different and so right. Read the story to discover exactly what transpires. I think you'll find it most satisfying.

[Tracey Greenwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

June loves science, the logic and certainty that the scientific process provides. We meet her after her older sister (who she looked up to and shared a love for entomology) has passed and June vows to keep her memory alive by capturing the elusive Palos Verdes blue butterfly. On a school trip to the very nature reserve where her sister drowned, June comes close to capturing it but falls and almost drowns. The fallout of this brings new experiences and people into June's life which makes her start to question everything she holds dear.
I almost gave up on this but pushed through. With a slow start and a feeling of sometimes forced scientific explanations, this story mixes magic and science. It is about opening yourself up to new things and appreciating what others have to offer.

[Jeanne Stadel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this whimsical middle grade novel, Amber Morrell tells the story of twelve-year-old Juniper whose grief following the death of her older sister drives an obsession with catching a tiny blue endangered butterfly. This obsession catapults Juniper into a world of magic, giving her incredible power that she struggles to handle. As Juniper attempts to wield this power, she achieves the unachievable, puts herself and others in great danger, and ultimately comes to see how the worlds of science, magic, poetry, and art can complement one another. The story was engaging from start to finish, leading to a nearly pitch perfect ending, and is for those who enjoy a fantasy element in their middle grade literature combined with the real world social challenges for this age group.