The Rosemary Spell by Virginia Zimmerman -No

Zimmerman, Virginia The Rosemary Spell  266 pgs. Clarion Books, 2015 $16.99 Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G Violence: G

Rosie and Adam are best friends. Adam’s older sister Shelby used to be their best friend too, but she is older than them and growing up. This really upsets Rosie who wishes things could go back to the way they were. In the meantime, Rosie discovers the odd journal of a famous poet in her room. It seems to change, write back, and have a connection to Shakespeare. Together with Adam they visit this poet, a very elderly women with Alzheimer’s. One day when they read a verse from the book, Shelby disappears, maybe even from their memory. They must use the clues from the old poet to try to save Shelby and put their lives at risk.

This book was so odd and cold, I just didn’t want to keep reading it. I think the authors brain works very different from my own, even the most simple sentences didn’t make sense to me, most of the book I felt like we were speaking two different languages. The story was just plain strange and then completely irritating when the main characters would forget things (as the spells made them do), which slowed down the plot even more. Worst of all was Rosie’s obsession with Shelby and the way things were, it could literally take up 30 % of the book. I would not add this to my library.

EL, MS -NO Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.