Author: T. J. Klune
Pages: 394
Published: 2020
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Magic, LGBTQ+
"Home is where you feel like yourself." This simple, yet profound quote is one that summarizes this absolutely wonderful book in a nutshell.
This beautiful story is one for all of the misfits. If you've ever struggled to conform to society's norms, or felt constrained because someone kept trying to make you fit into their box, their frame of who they thought you should be (been there, done that) - then this book is for you!
Linus Baker lives a very average, ho-hum daily existence. He has a solid routine. (Which there is absolutely nothing wrong with - I thrive on routine myself. 😊) He goes to work, goes home, eats dinner, feeds the cat, sits in his favorite chair and listens to music, goes to bed and gets up the next day to do it all over again. Day in. Day out. Never a vacation. He never strays from the 'ordinary'. And although he feels one way, he never embraces it - whatever that feeling is - for fear that his feelings, his likes, won't be accepted by the world that he lives in.
When he receives an assignment at work (he's a social caseworker who works for the Department In Charge of Magical Youth) to visit a rather extraordinary orphanage, he learns more about himself than he ever intended. His world is turned upside down and inside out by the different magical youth (and orphanage director) that he meets. During his one month stay with the inhabitants of the orphanage, Linus Baker's bubble was popped. He discovers that everyone's differences are what makes them special, and that prejudices color our opinions of others before getting to know them - and that is very sad. We can miss out on getting to know some awesome, colorful people if we give in to our often deeply held beliefs and misconceptions.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It is an enchanting, warm story about love, family, and how to embrace and appreciate the unique qualities in ourselves and each other.
