The Mysterious Magic of Lighthouse Lane

Gr 5 Up–Lucy is tired of being surrounded by people and their emotions, which she feels more deeply than anyone else. ­Hoping for some peace, she spends the summer with her withdrawn grandfather on Prince Edward Island. There, she finds her late grandmother’s old camera and discovers that the photos she takes reveal people’s hidden truths. With the help of a curious neighbor and her grandfather, Lucy works to uncover the mystery behind the camera’s powers, and along the way, begins to see her family, her feelings, and herself in a new light. While Stewart (The ­Forgotten Magic of Zoey Turner) includes ­fantastical elements, the heart of it is rooted in real emotions and relationships that many younger readers face. Lucy reads authentically. The island is beautifully described and almost becomes a character of its own. The pacing has the mystery component to keep readers engaged but also has enough meat to the story and experiences that ­older middle school readers would also ­enjoy it. Lucy is cued white.