From Publishers Weekly
Irish folklore supplies the ingredients for debut author Corbett's creative contemporary fantasy, set in Long Island, N.Y. When stressed-out mom and Newsday reporter Bernadette McBride unwittingly drinks a potion just before making a toast "to youth," she wakes up and finds herself age 12 again, living in her childhood home with her Irish-born mother (who died in Bernadette's adulthood). Eventually, she discovers fairy magic is at work; while it's modern times outside the house, inside it's 1972. The story alternates between her perspective and that of Patrick, the oldest of her three sons, and readers get a strong sense of their emotions. Bernadette is thrilled to see her mother again but misses her family fiercely, feeling especially guilty for heaping too much responsibility on Patrick; he regrets thinking of her as a "burr on his shoelace." Bernadette, enrolled at school as "Detta," shares a class with Patrick, but doesn't want anyone, not even Patrick, to know about her transformation. In addition to the colorful folk traditions, Corbett supplies funny details as Bernadette adjusts to middle school (she bests a bully and is stumped when classmates ask her if she likes the Backstreet Boys). Though many of Bernadette's sentiments may make more sense to adults (particularly her ardent desire to please her mother) and some of the premise is fuzzy (Bernadette delays contacting Patrick for flimsy reasons), overall, this is a well-orchestrated and heartwarming read. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7 A riveting first novel. Overwhelmed with her life as a mother, wife, and newspaper journalist, Bernadette McBride decides to spend the night at her late Irish mother's house. Helping herself to some mysterious liquid in the pantry, Bernadette ruefully wishes to be young again. When she awakens, she has been transformed into a 12-year-old on what should be her 40th birthday. She hears her mother calling her down for breakfast and is at first jubilant, but then realizes how complex her life has become. She enrolls in her oldest son's school and tries to figure out how to undo her wish and get back to her husband and three boys. As weeks go by, her family assumes the worst but her son Patrick is certain that his mother will try to contact him, and he never gives up hope. When he receives her mysterious and untraceable e-mail sending him off on a dangerous errand, he realizes that her rescue is completely in his hands, and the results measure up to a satisfying conclusion. Corbett's story, told from the alternating points of view of 12-year-old Patrick and Bernadette, is an extraordinary alchemy of elements that makes for an engaging read. The dialogue is natural and believable, and the emotions expressed by the characters are genuine. A great mix of fairy charms, Irish folklore, humor, mystery, and familial love. -Janet Gillen, Great Neck Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
