By Corey Ann Haydu
Harpercollins Childrens Books, 2026. Fiction. 336 pages.
Denny is not ready to turn twelve. Her best friend Runa has assured her that everything will change when they turn twelve but Denny doesn't like how much everything in her life has changed already. Her mother, who quit drinking when Denny was born, is battling alcoholism while her dad assures her that she is the only thing that her mother needs to quit. Runa is ingratiating herself in with a new group of friends and seems to be embarrassed by Denny and their "childish" habit of writing about the magical world of Sorrowfeld. On the day of her twelfth birthday, Denny is suddenly whisked into the world of Sorrowfeld and confused for Princess Auden, who is supposed to slay the dragons that have been terrorizing the kingdom. Suddenly Denny realizes that everything she and Runa have written about in their notebook, the half-baked rules of the world they were building, have created consequences in the world of Sorrowfeld that she now can't escape. At the same time, Princess Auden must learn the rules of the real world dealing with Denny's absentee parents, mean bullies, and upcoming try-outs for the school play.
For those who are going through the confusing time of aging from a child into a teen, this interesting fantasy will help them feel seen. This book deals with some tough topics in an empathetic and engaging way, which will keep kids flying through the pages as Auden and Denny discover their true power lies in being themselves. While the weighty topics may not be suited for every reader, those who do read it will find empathetic and true-to-life depictions of grief, addiction, losing friendship, and the lines between coming-of-age and still letting yourself be a child.
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