Book Review of Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts
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The Children’s Book Review
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts
Written by Erika Lewis
Ages 8-12 | 336 Pages
Publisher: Macmillan/Starscape (2023) | ISBN-13: 9781250208262
What to Expect: Celtic mythology, adventure, magic, destiny, and family.
The first installment in The Academy for Unbreakable Arts series, this thrilling magical adventure is a unique blend of Celtic mythology and real-world issues. It seamlessly weaves together elements of fantasy, such as fairies and magical objects, with the harsh realities of foster homes, school bus bullying, and systemic neglect, creating a narrative that is both enchanting and relatable.
Kelcie is a foster child abandoned by parents she can’t remember to a system that treats her like an unwanted criminal. She’s used to being shunted from school to school, having no friends and no future. However, she holds out hope that one day, she’ll discover who she really is and why her parents abandoned her. What she did not expect was that answers would come after being kidnapped by monsters and subjected to a frightening magical ritual. Nor did she expect to discover that she is actually an ancient Otherworld being, known as a Saiga, destined for a place in a school of warriors and an epic battle between two warring Otherworld lands. Maybe being nameless and futureless was better after all…
A gratifyingly strong and determined heroine, Kelcie is unafraid to take risks and stand up for what she thinks. The Otherworld setting, especially the Academic for the Unbreakable Arts, is richly imagined—a wonderful juxtaposition of magic and middle-grade politics. In addition to having a riveting plot, the narrative encourages readers to think deeply about issues like family, destiny, and peace.
Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts is a well-written, thought-provoking, coming-of-age fantasy novel that will captivate fans of magical adventures with strong, relatable heroines.
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About the Author
Erika Lewis is an award-winning author of novels for children and young adults. Her books have been published around the world and have appeared on national lists, including the Sunshine State Young Readers Award Books, the Children’s Book Council Teacher’s Favorite Pick, Publisher’s Weekly Notables, Nerd Daily Most Anticipated, and Book Riot’s Must Reads. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, an internship at CNN led to exciting years working in television, developing scripted and reality shows for various studios and networks. Fifteen years later, her first book, Game of Shadows, was optioned by Macmillan, and she’s been writing ever since. She currently resides in Southern California.
For more information, visit www.erikalewis.com.
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