Lonely Castle in the Mirror

I picked up Lonely Castle in the Mirror knowing nothing beyond the back-cover copy, and I think that's the best way to approach this puzzle of a fantasy novel. Thirteen-yea- old Kokoro spends her days alone in her room, too traumatized to return to junior high after a bad experience with the other students. When her mirror lights up one day, she discovers it's a portal to a mysterious castle. Six other junior high students have also been called to the castle and assigned a quest: to find the key to a room that will grant the finder one wish. This very special book twists and turns and had pierced me through the heart by the end. If you want to cry your eyes out (in a good way), read this book! Fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea will find similar themes of connection and friendship here. While we have Lonely Castle in the Mirror shelved in our adult fantasy/sci-fi section in the store, I'd also recommend it for young adult and even middle grade readers.