Fooled

Gr 4-7–Sixth-grader Lil Evers is one of four children receiving special student services in a classroom called EC, or “exceptional children.” Lil has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair; her best friends Dora and Scoot are hinted to have autism in varying degrees. She is attending a school that does not always feel welcoming, in a struggling town where the local mill has closed and thousands of jobs have been lost; morale is low in this small North Carolina town. Lil and her friends love magic and anything Harry Potter, and they turn to roleplay as a refuge. When a pair of school bullies get a “spell” cast on them by the trio of friends, rumors spread around the halls that the EC kids can do magic, and the favors and charm requests come in in droves. However, not everyone is thrilled to hear about wizardry in this small conservative town, and when the anonymous threats begin, Lil will have to weigh if continuing the charade is worth the risks. This book does a great job of portraying what special education looks like and what it can feel like from the inside. Ableism, bullying, prejudice, and even classism are addressed tactfully throughout. Though some elements are far-fetched for a middle school (how many children of that age would really believe in magical powers?), the plot moves along well, with likable protagonists. The array of diverse characters, in terms of ability and race, will be appealing to most readers.