Zimmerman, Virginia. The Rosemary Spell. Houghton

Zimmerman, Virginia.  The Rosemary Spell. Houghton Mifflin/Clarion  2015      273p  $16.99  ISBN 978-0-544-44537-6      ms/hs  Fantasy    E-BN

Rosemary’s father disappeared many years ago, and her mother lets her take over his old study.  With assistance from best friend Adam, she unlocks a cupboard that has been sealed for years and discovers a mysterious book.  When the pair and Adam’s sister Shelby travel to the island across the river, they accidently unleash a dangerous and evil spell that affects Shelby.  With the help of some poetry that Adam and Rosemary are studying in Mr. Cate’s class; Constance Brooke, a local poet affected with Alzheimer’s that used to live in Rosemary’s house; and clues from Shakespearian literature, the duo must find the antidote to break the spell.

This fast-paced thriller has many plot threads woven together to create a fascinating story that will entertain and delight young-adult readers. Works by Shakespeare and other recognizable literary novels and exerpts add to the adventure of putting clues together to break the spell.  The sense of urgency will engage and thrill the reader.
     

Summary: When Rosemary takes over her abandoned father’s study, she and her best friend Adam unlock a cupboard that houses a mysterious book that may have belonged to Shakespeare, which releases an evil spell that the pair must break.    

Magic-Fiction                                         --Virginia McGarvey