Book Review of Wonders of Shadow Key
The Children’s Book Review
Wonders of Shadow Key
Written by JJ Fleming
Ages: 9+ | 186 Pages
Publisher: Fitzroy Books (2025) | ISBN-13: 978-1646036653
What to Expect: Dystopian, ghosts, friendship, climate change, and self-discovery.
In a storm-battered future Florida, a lonely middle-schooler discovers her ability to see ghosts and must team up with a quirky group of spectral residents to save a lost soul and protect their dwindling island home from ancient, shadowy entities.
Everyone faces challenges, but for twelve-year-old Eleanor, life in a town ravaged by relentless storms is particularly tough. Driven from their storm-ravaged home by unemployment and “Doorknockers,” twelve-year-old Eleanor’s family seeks refuge on the desolate Shadow Key, an island reeking of decay. There, Eleanor’s unique ability to perceive its spectral residents—from the quirky Mrs. Mabel Frobisher to a dancing pirate and enigmatic Siren Sisters—draws her into a hidden world where she begins to form some unexpected friendships. However, the story intensifies as Eleanor uncovers a sinister truth that forces her to confront her fears, harness her newfound perception, and save not only her friends but perhaps herself as well.
Authentic, witty, and full of the emotional complexities of a middle-schooler facing extraordinary circumstances, Eleanor’s voice is easy to connect with as elements of fantasy, mystery, and a touch of horror blend with relatable themes of family, friendship, and resilience. Descriptive language paints vivid mental images of a world both familiar and eerily transformed by climate change.
A compelling page-turner perfect for fans of “spooky but not terrifying” ghost stories, Wonders of Shadow Key encourages readers to look beyond the surface, embrace the unexpected, and find hope even in the most challenging times.
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About the Author
JJ Fleming is the “marvelously inventive” and “highly entertaining” author whose stories one reviewer called “campfire tales from the state’s coolest scout leader.” He’s also the Director of Creative Writing at the University of South Florida, founder of the literary magazine Saw Palm: Florida Literature and Art, two-time recipient of Florida Literature Fellowships, and winner of an International Book Award. Wonders of Shadow Key is his first book for children.
