Jae conjures tantalizing mysteries, buoyant humor, and a potent current of suspense as the brothers face their family’s weird secrets and the dangers of planet Tetherae, which boasts a menagerie of dino-like creatures, plus occupying soldiers and near-relations with sneaky agendas. Most intriguing of these is the brothers’ second cousin, the willful Princess Chozan, whose tart tongue and questionable loyalty offer welcome intrigue.
The novel’s length is notably hefty, and Jae tends to let characters offer each other protracted explanations of developments readers already have tracked. The brothers’ dialogue (“Flipp’n frog legs!! I got the goosebumps!”) can be hard to credit for Zelda-playing kids of the present, but their hearts and souls are, like the magic of “nudges” and the connections between our world and Tetherae, well developed and engaging. Like many portal fantasy heroes, Jeremy is lauded as “special” everywhere he goes, and Jae nicely plumbs his brother Josh’s mixed feelings about this—when the brothers’ connection powers a new ability shared by both of them, readers will feel real relief.
Takeaway: Fantasy epic of brothers and their grandma with a strong current and much heart.
Comparable Titles: Estelle Grace Tudor’s Octavia Bloom and the Missing Key, Kate Milford’s Greenglass House series.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A-
"To venture into a world from the imagination of Aggie L Jae is always a journey worth taking. She finds magic everywhere around us and makes us believe in it."
What's for Food? is a new cookbook by middle-grade author Aggie L. Jae. Written for kids, this delightful cookbook is a companion to Aggie's popular book, the Water Door. It is a tasty, interactive way for all readers to join in Jeremy and Joshua's journey and try their culinary skills to share with their friends and family. The recipes (Earthly and UNearthly) were foraged from among the book's pages and kitchen-tested for accuracy and deliciousness.
What's for Food? shares with kids the fun of cooking on not just one planet but two! ENJOY!
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The Delaware Association of Librarians is holding its annual FESTIVAL OF WORDS on December 2, 2024, at the St. Georges High School in North Middletown, DE. Doors will open at 10 AM, and the event will close around 3 PM.
Local author Aggie L. Jae (The Water Door) will be available for interviews and book sales. She will also be giving a presentation titled, "HOW YOU CAN BECOME A WRITER." She looks forward to seeing you there!
The Water Door and Aggie L. Jae will be featured at the Annual CONjuration Convention for teachers and librarians from November 17th through the 19th. The Convention will be held at the Sonesta Hotel in Duluth, Georgia.
