The Ice Garden

Gr 3–6—More than anything, 12-year-old Jess just wants to be like other kids. But Jess is allergic to the sun, a condition that forces her to spend most of her time inside, behind closed shades, or encased in a heavy protective suit complete with hood and goggles. When she's not traveling back and forth for doctor visits with her mom, Jess learns at home and spends her free time making up fantastic tales that she hopes will one day make her famous. One night, fed up with her circumstances, Jess sneaks out to the neighborhood playground she has always wished to visit. Startled by a strange sound, she flees to the woods behind the playground and stumbles into a magical place: a garden made completely of ice. Entranced, she begins to make nightly visits to the playground and soon discovers that she is not alone: Owen, also made of ice, becomes a trusted friend, one of the first Jess has made in a long time. This gentle tale strikes a pleasing balance between the harsh realities of illness and a fantastical world in which to escape. Young readers will relate to Jess and her frustration at the lack of control she has over her life. This effectively straddles the line between realistic fiction and magical realism.