The Incredible Magic of Being by Kathryn Erskine book review

Julian and his family have just moved to Main to run a B & B. Julian has two moms and a sister is always grouchy. Julian is nine years old and wise beyond his years. He has quite the vocabulary and consistently posts his FARTs (Facts and random thoughts) throughout the book. Julian loves astronomy and part of the reason he was ok with the move is that Maine has a lot more space where he can look at the sky. His mother is very overprotective, so it’s hard for Julian to do what he wants. His sister is Pookie, and she is beginning to run with a crowd that adults do not approve of. Pookie does not get as much attention as Julian does, so she has had to be more self-sufficient. Pookie is on a mission to try to figure out who her dad is and thinks life would be better with him. Part of the reason Julian moved is because he was being bullied at his previous school. His mom wants to homeschool him, but Joan thinks he is better off going to school.

Julian believes he is a uni-sensor, which means he can sense things going on in the universe. Julian believes there is magic in the universe that connects us. He is also very against burning marshmallows. When they arrive in Maine to pursue a new life, their new neighbor, Mr. X, is very crabby and slaps them with a lawsuit. He says that their house blocks his view of the lake. Julian is determined to get him to change his mind. The story unfolds with an unlikely friendship. I think this book holds a lot of appeal to middle-grade readers.

It will make readers think about their place in the universe and what family means. This book may be controversial to some because Julian and Pookie have two moms, but it is a story that needs to be told. It would be an important book for students who have 2 moms and need a feel-good story with lots of hope in it. It’s realistic fiction with just a bit of magic in it. It’s about family and friendship and I think that will bring lot of readers in. It’s a must have for a school library. I think it would be a great choice for classroom libraries, independent reading, book clubs and just for fun. There is good dialogue and different points of view to explore as a reader. Enjoyable for all ages.