Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Zoey Turner’s world is controlled by her fears and anxieties. Following the sudden death of her beloved father, the magic he encouraged in her seems to exist only when she rereads the fantasy series they shared together. When her opportunity to get a signed copy of the original book is foiled by an anxiety attack, she’s more than disappointed by the branded pencil she’s given in consolation—until she uses it to rewrite her own story, believing its printed slogan, "Make your own magic." Is it magic, or is it Zoey herself who creates the changes she writes about? Stewart uses her excellent descriptive talents to share the intense reality of a young girl’s experience of grief and its resultant panic attacks and agoraphobia. Believable supporting characters and a satisfying surprise reveal make this a worthwhile read. Recommended for middle-graders who appreciate their reality sprinkled with magic, this tale of transformation will be an excellent addition to library collections.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Terrifying statistics run through Zoey’s mind day and night, controlling her decisions. After her father dies in a bus accident, anxiety-ridden 12-year-old Zoey Turner, who presents white, spends her summer escaping into the familiar world of her favorite fantasy series, the Magic of Ever After by Raven M. Wells. When a book signing ends in a panic attack, Zoey receives a pencil allegedly belonging to Wells herself. Zoey writes a story with the pencil, which seems innocent enough until the next day, when the events of her story happen in real life. Always the type to practice extreme caution, the nervous seventh grader asks Derek Beal, the redheaded president of a fantasy club with his own anxieties and fears, for help in how best to use her new magic. She keeps the pencil a secret from everyone else in her life, even her Lebanese American best friend, Lena. Zoey fears losing Lena when secrets and fears begin to separate them. As Zoey sharpens the pencil with each new story, her chances of writing the perfect ending dwindle away. She’ll need to find her own magic before it’s too late. This emotional narrative skillfully informs readers about anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder and will comfort anyone facing challenges similar to the main characters’, reminding them to look for the pockets of joy in every day and inspiring them to discover their own forgotten magic. Hope prevails in this story, filled with a resounding authenticity.(Fantasy. 10-13) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Stewart (The Words We Keep) depicts mental health challenges with a touch of magic in this bewitching tale, a middle grade debut. Following her father’s death in a bus accident, 12-year-old Zoey is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Now she struggles to get on buses and hesitates to venture beyond her neighborhood. When she procures a new pencil that seems to make the stories she writes a reality, she endeavors to write her way out of her anxiety. But getting used to the pencil’s power is trickier than anticipated, and the more magic she uses, the smaller the utensil gets. As Zoey grapples with this temporary power, she also navigates changing relationships, a budding friendship, and her mother’s new romance. Quotes from Zoey’s invented fantasy novel, The Magic of Ever After—which stars a blue-haired warrior who combats enemies in a magical kingdom—open each chapter. Zoey calls upon her imagined protagonist’s bravery and uses aspects of the hero’s journey (“This right here, what we just did, it’s called the ordeal”) as guidance in her endeavors to make amends, face her fears, and manage her anxiety. Zoey cues as white. Ages 10–up. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Jan.)

School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 5–7—Seventh grader Zoey has anxiety—debilitating anxiety that keeps her in the house, makes her wash down everything she touches, and prevents her from going to school. Her disorder started nine months ago when her dad was killed in a bus accident. The two things Zoey does have are the fantasy series "The Magic Ever After" by Raven M. Wells and her best friend Lena, who is Lebanese and a champion swimmer. When an author signing induces a panic attack, a disappointed Zoey goes home with only a blue pencil. But when the stories she writes with it seem to come true, Zoey wonders if her dad was right and magic really exists. Her attempts to "fix" her life don't quite work, and she is forced to do what makes her anxious in the hopes of setting things right. This realistic story is a great example of the power of fan fiction and one's ability to change one's own story. While the path Zoey takes to come out of her extreme anxiety has authentic ups and downs, the terminology and portrayal of mental health is problematic. For example, a therapist is referred to in dismissive terms like "a feelings doctor" and "head shrinker." Everyone who cries is considered or called a baby; the overall effect is a negative message about feelings and vulnerability in the book. The conclusion about Raven stretches credibility, and several characters are inconsistent or just one-note. Zoey is white; other characters described are diverse races and identities. VERDICT A realistic fiction story about persisting through fear and the power of friendship that is marred by weak characterization and a troublesome portrayal of mental health support.—Clare A. Dombrowski