Jess Redman (1)

In THE MIRACULOUS, the first novel by therapist Jess Redman, a boy named Wunder has considered himself an expert in the field of miracles. He has created a book called "The Miraculous" that he's filled with examples of miracles, both ordinary and extraordinary. But when his baby sister dies after only eight days of living, Wunder's belief in miracles dries up, and he finds himself struggling with his faith and his place in the world. He then meets an unusual cape-wearing girl named Faye, who challenges him to find answers. The two encounter a mysterious figure who asks them to help her with a task that will change their lives, and the lives of the people in their community.

Jess Redman has written a stunning debut novel that will help youngsters deal with grief — their own or that of their friends — while being enthralled with a magical, fantastical story filled with wondrous characters, gorgeous writing, and great hope. Although the subject is serious, Redman handles it deftly and brings lightness and some humor to it. This is a stunning story the expresses the complexities and mysteries of love and death. This is a serious novel that is also playful, and full of wry humor. Yes, this is a heavy book (it deals with death and grief), with some heavy handed story telling elements (hence only the 4 stars) that also happens to have an anticlimactic ending but it works! It is filled with such honesty and heart it is hard to dislike. It's a small miracle of a book.



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