In J.R. Silver Writes Her World, sixth grader J.R. is finding the start of sixth grade challenging. Her best friend has come back from summer camp with new friends, and she yearns for more freedom from her protective parents. As a budding writer, she embraces the writing assignments given by her new teacher based on pictures from the cover of Gothamite magazine. J.R. is stunned to find that the words she puts down on the page are coming true! As the story progresses, J.R. will have to deal with the consequences of this magical turn of events. Middle grade readers will relate to the themes of change in the book and enjoy reflecting on the magical realism found in the story’s events. Even with the setting in bustling New York City setting, with many events taking place in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and in a local independent bookstore and with its nods to children’s literature, the book has a cozy feel that will draw readers in as they read on to see the ending J.R. writes for her story.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

A charming, accessible adventure that combines friendship drama, the power of words, and a pinch of magic.

Now I want to visit the Met (or New York City itself!!)

This MG debut follows J.R as she attempts to (re)write her world after encountering a mysterious new teacher at school ... and her collection of charmed magazines. It's a sweet, easy story that addresses many growing pains of middle school; even if the magical element did feel a little too ephemeral and the "lesson" a little too on-the-nose for my personal tastes. But I can see the metafictional element making this a great group read for schools! It's a promising debut and I can't wait to see what Dassori writes next.

J.R. Silver Writes Her World by Melissa Dassori


Tweens will enjoy this magical yet realistic story. What if you could create reality with what you wrote? JR does just this.
That's the magical element.

What if you missed out on summer camp and your bff is now a bff with someone else and you are getting nudged out? that's the realistic part.

I really enjoyed this story and I think tweens will too.

4****

Thanks to NetGalley and the author and publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I will recommend this to tweens for sure.

I thought this was a great MG debut! I really enjoyed this book, and I definitely look forward to seeing what Melissa Dassori writes next!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

This was such a relatable book!

Being a young writer myself, I can definetely understand a bit with what J.R. went through. Her creativity with her writing is also something I'm glad to see in books. She had problems in reality, so she decided to sit down and write about them. Really amazing book, so glad to see representation of young writers nowadays. Where were these books when I was younger (Literally I'm talking like I'm 69, lol) But if there was one thing the 2000s was missing, it was definetely books with inclusion.

Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Readers for the ARC of this!

I love Middle Grade and light fantasy and bookish/writer vibes, so this checked all the boxes to intrigue me! Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy it as much as I hoped and it felt really young given that the protagonist was in 6th grade. Pretty much everything she might want to write into being was clear from the get-go, and her perspective felt so whiny. I think this could definitely appeal to the younger end of middle grade readers and I’d suggest it to my 9 year old if she wanted a magic kind of book, but it’s not one I’d enjoy reading aloud.

This middle grade fantasy tells the story of a girl named J.R. who is adjusting to a new grade, and worried about losing her best friend. Over the course of the story she learns that writing is a great way to express herself and reflect on her world and the challenges she faces. When her teacher gives her a new writing assignment and she starts to notice that the things she writes end up coming true she must learn how to use this special magical power without getting out of hand. Even though her teacher is very inspiring and supportive, she is only with the class until Christmas break and it shows the impact that teachers have on students but also emphasizes the short time we have in which to connect with our students. There is also a bit of conflict and worries around a community bookstore potentially closing that is very hard on the characters and they plan to work together to solve the problem.

I noticed other reviewers commented on the book being anticlimactic, and I would agree, in general the book is a bit slower there is not a lot of problem resolution, but I think that younger middle grade readers wont mind that too much. My grade 3s write stories with no problems or resolutions all the time, I think that for this audience group large character arcs and too many problems to resolve actually gets complicated quickly. The book also has short chapters and some black and white illustrations which is really helpful for those beginning middle grade readers who are transitioning into longer chapter books. J.R. Silver Writes Her World also covers a lot of great middle grade themes including growing independence (but still needing parents!), appropriate use of technology, friendship, standing up for what you believe in. I would definitely recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the grades 2-6 range. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Well, I had accidentally requested my own book and for a long time wasn't sure what to about that. So now I'm trying to clear out my queue but I do hope others feel it's a five-star read!

This is a Fantasy Middle Grade. The beginning of this book took me awhile to get into, but once I got in I was completely into the storyline. I loved seeing the main character (a young girl) learn to write, and she also learned so much more. I loved the writing assignments in this book, and the writing assignments made me think back to being in school. I loved seeing the writing assignments come to life. This was a fun book to read. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Christy Ottaviano Books) or author (Melissa Dassori) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

_J.R. Silver Writes Her World_ has a lot going for it: charming illustrations, a NYC setting (one of my fave cities!), myriad book references (including tons to one of my fave elementary reads and Newbery Award winners, _From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler_), and a nod to the power of teachers in our lives. I've been blessed with a number of stellar teachers myself, and my first retail job was at a bookstore, so I particularly enjoyed J.R.'s interactions with Ms. Kline as well as with Alex, and June's Books.

There isn't a ton of action within the read; I felt it a bit anticlimactic (in fact, lacking a big climax at all, heh). It certainly illustrates the struggles all kids go through at varying points, and I could well remember a few of my own similar situations over the years. As an ode to NYC and one of my fave books set there, I thought it was great; it did have a few hiccups in narrative arc and content, and I felt some situations a bit young for an MC already in middle school. But plenty positive to enjoy, as well.

Note: One passing reference to a lesbian couple.

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Sixth grade is supposed to be a time of increased independence, but eleven year old J.R. Silver continues to find herself monitored by her overprotective parents. Still not allowed to walk home from school, J.R. observes as her best friend Violet falls in with a new group of friends and J.R. is afraid of being left behind. So, when a new English teacher named Ms. Kline gives the class an unexpected writing assignment, J.R. begins to set actions into motion that have an enormous impact on her life. J.R. has always dreamt of becoming an author, and her experiences in sixth grade are quickly making that dream into a reality. But will Violet return to J.R., and will J.R. continue to appreciate all the things she is willing into existence? Only time will tell.

This quirky middle grade novel is a bit slow to start, taking a great deal of time to establish the story before the true intent becomes clear. Unfortunately, the novel lacks a dramatic climax, as well, which minimizes the forward momentum of the narrative. Despite this, however, readers will appreciate the myriad mentions of famous literature woven into the story because these references anchor this fictional book in reality. Ms. Kline is a particularly intriguing character who, much like Ms. Frizzle and other literary greats, is a memorable contributor to J.R.’s life. A love letter to that special English teacher who sets one’s future in motion, this book encapsulates many of the important elements that remain with students long after the school year ends.

Newer middle grade readers will particularly appreciate this book because of the relatively short chapters and occasional black and white illustrations that appear throughout the novel. This design permits readers to not only have a visual respite fairly frequently throughout the course of the story, but the images also help to provide visual context for the narrative. Friendship is challenging in middle school, especially as childhood relationships shift and fade with time and maturity. J.R. models some of the behaviors common to managing this universal situation, and readers will recognize the jealousy and “otherness” characters feel as their comfortable reality begins to transform. Though slow moving, this book will resonate with fans of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler as well as those who believe in the lasting power a great teacher can have.

What if you could conjure up a no-school snow day, a winning soccer goal, or even your own cell phone when your parents won’t let you have one, simply by doing your homework? That’s the intriguing premise behind J.R. Silver Writes Her World, a delightful love letter to writing, reading, indie bookstores, NYC, and friendship.

J.R., who dreams of becoming an author, enters sixth grade feeling out of step with her peers, and not just because of the phone thing. Her friends now walk home from school unchaperoned while J.R. must wait for her mom. Worst of all, J.R.’s parents didn’t let her attend summer camp, where her lifelong bestie, Violet, bonded with Ava.

Now, all three are in the same class, taught by the mysterious vagabond Ms. Kline. Ava’s best friends, Adelaide and Aria, are there, too, and add their best Mean Girls moves. Fortunately, no one is a stereotype. In fact, the way J.R., Violet, and Ava navigate their relationships is a refreshing surprise.

Still, watching your BFF fall hard for someone else creates a particular kind of pain—no matter your age—and J.R. experiences all the feels: jealousy, self-doubt, confusion, embarrassment, anger, and sadness.

When Ms. Kline assigns creative-writing homework inspired by Gothamite’s illustrated magazine covers, J.R. soon discovers her stories are magically coming true. Like any good protagonist, she acts, trying to write away her problems.

Of course, action begets reaction, sometimes with unintended consequences. Whether they’re good or bad often depends on point of view. That’s important to understand, J.R. realizes, in fiction-writing and life.

Writing is powerful—in this novel, literally. But as J.R. creates her stories, she also experiences the exciting truth that the act of writing itself summons its own real-world magic. Can J.R. find the courage to speak up and be the protagonist of her own story?

Books and reading also are celebrated, and one subplot has J.R. trying to help a neighbor whose indie bookstore is losing its lease. The Metropolitan Museum of Art also often takes center stage, along with fitting references to E.L. Konigsburg’s classic “From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.” This is a contemporary novel, with references to modern classics such as Cece Bell’s graphic-novel memoir “El Deafo,” but it also offers a cozy, slightly nostalgic vibe.

Middle-grade readers will cheer for J.R., relate to her friendship troubles, and want to solve the magical mystery. Teachers will find creative-writing lessons artfully folded into the story and some great writing prompts.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I only post about books that I finished and enjoyed.

J.R. Silver Writes Her World
by Melissa Dassori
Pub Date 19 Jul 2022
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Christy Ottaviano Books
Children's Fiction





I am reviewing a copy of JR Silver Writes Her World by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Christy Ottaviano Books and Netgalley:






What if you us the ability to write your dreams into reality with only the stroke of a pen?





Josephine Rose Silver is having a difficult start to sixth grade. Her best friend Violet returns from camp with her new best friend, her parents will not give her any more freedom, and her homeroom teacher, Ms. Kline, is full of secrets.





After Mrs Kline unveils a collection of old Gothamite magazines and tells her students to build their writing skills by crafting short stories inspired by the iconic covers, J.R. discovers a peculiar power: The Stories Josephine write. Soon J.R gets a cell phone , scoring game-winning goals, and triggering school cancellations. But it's not long before she realizes that each new story creates as many conflicts as it does solutions. And when J.R. tries to write about her fallout with Violet, all of her problems converge.


If you have a middle grade reader who likes magic, mystery and a little art history, I’d highly recommend J.R Silver Writes the World!


Five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and @melissadassoriauthor for an eARC of JR SILVER WRITES HER WORLD (releases July 19th from @littlebrownyoungreaders).

The premise of this story intrigued me – what if you could write something and have it come true? It seems like something that many of us would like to have the power to do. But when J.R.’s new 6th-grade teacher assigns writing projects based on the covers of Gothamite magazines passed down to her, J.R. learns that having wishes come true can be complicated.

In this story about friendship, self-discovery, and figuring out how to stay true to yourself, I loved watching J.R. navigate her changing relationship with her best friend. She slowly discovered what she really wanted and how to express herself through the assignments thoughtfully given to her by Ms. Kline. The author did an excellent job tapping into that middle-grade experience of resistance to change and wanting things to stay the same when growth is inevitable. I also really enjoyed the time spent in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the link to From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.

I would recommend this book to readers who like a touch of magic in their stories and appreciate the power of words.

This middle grade debut was such a joy to read, that I gobbled it up in one weekend! So many tween issues were thoughtfully addressed from friendship drama to fighting for independence from parents, all with a satisfying resolution. Throw in an empathetic main character who loves to read and write, a vivid New York City setting, along with a dash of magical realism, and you have the perfect recipe for one of those books you’ll find yourself reading over and over. Well-paced, imaginative, and engaging, I highly recommend, especially for librarians, educators, and parents to share with the middle-grade-book readers in their lives.

Thank you to author, Melissa Dassori, and the publisher for an advanced copy of this wonderful book!

This is a warm hug of a story. Faced with a best friend who is drifting away and shifting alliances among friends, J.R. discovers an unusual power: the ability to write her wishes and dreams into reality through special writing assignments. As J.R. wields the power of words, she learns that the magic that will truly change her life and help her find her way back to her friends lies within her. The literary/cultural side of New York City comes wonderfully to life in the cozy neighborhood bookstore and Metropolitan Museum of Art settings. A must read!

A fun read! The story focusses on JR Who’s friendship with her best friend Violet has shifted over the summer. As school starts JR has a brand new teacher that encourages them to write stories based on magazine covers. Things start getting strange when JR stories actually start coming true.

I think anybody could relate to the story as we’ve all wanted to write our story the way we want it to happen. It also focusses on friendships, how they shift and how that can be a good thing, which is true at any age!

J.R. Writes Her World is a unique twist on classic tween woes - changing friendships and finding your voice. At the beginning of 6th grade, JR, a talented writer with lots on her mind, finds herself gaining a new teacher while possibly losing an old friend. Aided by some very special writing assignments inspired by New Yorker style covers (the fictional Gothamite Magazine), she discovers that she is actually able to “write” her world! To make her dreams come true with the stroke of a pen! As it turns out, wielding such power does not come without consequences. J.R. learns that she doesn’t have to hide behind stories; she can confront her fears out loud, in the real world, and maybe, just maybe, get the happy endings she so desires.

Well-written, thoughtful, and original. Tackles serious topics while remaining full of fun and humor. It's the whole package! Not only do I think middle-grade readers will love it, I think it could spark some really interesting classroom and book-club discussions around serious topics like altering the future, free will, changing friendships, and social activism.