Amanda and Leo, the main characters from 11 Birthdays, are now 13 years old, and their lives have
continued to be affected by the magical events described in that book. At the
start of the book, they are enjoying their friend David’s bar mitzvah when they
need to rush to the hospital because the little sister of another friend,
Connor, has suddenly become paralyzed. As Grace lies in her frozen state, her
family and friends gather around her hospital bed. Amanda and Leo are certain
that Angelina, the mysterious and ancient woman in town who caused their
experiences two years ago, is somehow behind what’s happened to Grace…and they
are right!
It turns out that only Amanda and Leo can save Grace, by
going back in time to each of Grace’s birthdays, trying to make a small change
there that will change her future for the better. They enlist the help of their
friends, including Rory and Tara who were featured in books two and three. To
say much more would ruin the considerable surprises in store for readers!
It seems that the two books I missed each feature a
different character – Rory in one and Tara in the other – and revolve around
other strange affairs involving Angelina. It would have been better if I’d read
those two books, but I was still able to enjoy this fourth book (though I
wouldn’t recommend reading this one without at least reading the first book).
Although this sort of magical realism isn’t always my favorite kind of story, I
enjoyed the two books I read in this series, possibly because time travel is a
favorite plot device of mine! Mass is a talented writer, weaving together a
realistic story of friendship (and young love as well!) with a magical plot.
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