Review by Booklist Review
Lila is an average 11-year-old kid who lets her insecurities get in her way. She plays the triangle in band, and she has one pal who seems to have very little time for her recently, and that's about it. When her teacher announces the music program might be closing at her school, she tries to find money to maintain support for it and winds up taking home a strange box someone dropped. That night, a magical door opens in her bedroom and opportunity literally knocks in the form of a little girl named Felise, who states she is Lady Fortune and will dedicate one week to change Lila's life. In the course of the story, though, Lila ends up realizing that she does have quite a lot of luck already in her life, and that she puts a lot of pressure on herself instead of just enjoying things. Relatable Lila will have readers rooting for her in no time at all in this appealing book encouraging kids to appreciate their gifts as well as the folks around them.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Since everyone else seems to have already found "their thing," Persian American Lila Moradi works to figure out what she's "meant to be great at" in this light wish-fulfillment fable from Farizan (Dead Flip). The 11-year-old begins playing triangle in the small school band, but when budget cuts threaten the program just as she feels that "my dings are really making an impact," she determines to raise money. Her efforts to get a loan fail to pique the bank's interest, but on her way out, she finds a small wooden box on the floor, and an old bronze key inside. At home, the box's inscription begins to glow, and a golden door appears. When she turns the key, Lila finds that she has summoned Felise, who grants wishes and says she will stay for seven days. Though Lila is skeptical, Felise proves true to her word, facilitating many wonderful occurrences, including Lila's winning contests to help secure funds for the school music program. But the wealthy industrialist who lost the box is after it, and his recovering the object would turn good luck to bad for Felise as well as Lila and her loved ones. Friendship proves the most magical element in this briskly told, gently humorous exploration of interpersonal bonds, helping the protagonist to both discover her interest and develop her confidence. Ages 8--12. Agent: Susan Ginsburg, Writers House. (Feb.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
An 11-year-old girl forms a friendship with a magical wish-granter. Passionate about her school's music program, Persian American Lila Moradi attempts to secure a bank loan to save it from being cut. She's turned down--but while at the bank she finds an unusual box containing an old bronze key. Later, a golden door appears in her room, and a girl in a sparkly dress emerges. Felise, the personification of Lady Luck, will spend the next seven days glued to Lila's side--but there is the risk of a curse if the possessor of the key becomes greedy or the key is stolen. Felise quickly realizes that Lila is not the typical power-hungry key finder, however: She is kind and generous, and she appreciates Felise more for her friendship than her powers. However, Lila tends to focus more on what is lacking in her life rather than appreciating what she does have. The underlying messages of gratitude and creating our own luck by embracing opportunities are delivered with some heavy-handed preachiness by Felise. Meanwhile, wealthy megalomaniac industrialist Mr. Mammonton, who lost the key in the first place, is trying to get it back so he can use Felise to expand his business empire. The premise is simple, with mild humor, peril, and middle school hijinks. With or without magic, this is a story of a friend who helps a girl see the best in herself. A wish-granting genie story that leans into emotional themes. (Fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
