BOOK REVIEW: FROM THE MAGICAL MIND OF MINDY MUNSON

FROM THE MAGICAL MIND OF MINDY MUNSON
Nikki Bennett
Firedrake Books
Ages 5 - 13

Every house has a history. This House has a mystery.

When the orphaned Munson kids move with their aunt to The House, Mindy Munson discovers strange creatures living there already. Ghosts. Dragons. Leprechauns. And a scary Thing lurking in the basement.

Mindy’s older sister Susie is determined to find out where these creatures came from and why they’re living in the Munson’s house. With the help of the next-door neighbors and an old lady named Mrs. Wemberley, Susie, Mindy and their brothers unravel The House’s amazing secrets. And along the way, they discover some incredible secrets about themselves.

MY REVIEW:

What initially drew me to this book was the cover. I thought it was kind of cute. And the title was intriguing. Now having read The Magical Mind of Mindy Munson, I was not disappointed. Mindy is a little girl who doesn't talk, except to whisper to her twin brother, Jesse, who is sort of her spokesman for their two older siblings, Tucker and Susie. After the Munson kids lose their parents in an accident, they move to a new (old) house with their aunt. But according to Mindy, this house is already occupied by a host of invisible magical creatures.

The story's narrative is childlike and sweet. And I really started to believe in those creatures, too. But at its heart, this is about loss and healing. And more importantly it's a story about family. I enjoyed this little book immensely and kids of all ages will enjoy it, too.