Editorial Content for The Rosemary Spell

The magic of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets is undeniable. Audiences and readers have been moved for centuries by his keen observations of human nature and the artistry of his words and phrases. But, what if there was real magic in those words and phrases: the magical power to make someone disappear? This is the unlikely but intriguing premise of Virginia Zimmerman's debut middle grade novel THE ROSEMARY SPELL. It follows two 13-year old friends, Rosemary and Adam, as they race to undo the terrible magic they inadvertently unleashed after finding a hidden Shakespearean codex.

Rosemary and Adam find the well-hidden book in Rosemary's room, a room that once belonged to the famous local poet Constance Brooke. The two immediately recognize that the book is very old and very special, but Rosemary, struggling with emotional growing pains exacerbated by her absent father, insists they keep the book a secret (even though her mother is a scholar of Shakespeare!). She even goes so far as to write in it. They decide to use it for a big school literature project, but when they book seems to be hiding and then revealing words and writing on its own, the plot takes a strange and frightening turn. Deciphering the words reveals a spell, possibly based on Shakespearean quotes. Speaking the spell aloud sends Adam's older sister and Rosemary's dear friend, Shelby, into a void of nothingness. Worse still is that once she is gone, no one can remember she ever existed. Rosemary and Adam are in danger of forgetting her, too, and must figure out how to get her back in just a few short days.

Zimmerman takes elements of several genres and transcends each by telling a coming-of-age story with magic, mystery, adventure and realism.

The distraught and terrified pair seek help from Constance Brooke, who they have reason to believe lost someone important to her because of the same spell. Though Constance still lives in town, she is suffering from advanced Alzheimer's and cannot remember much of her own life, much less give Rosemary and Adam the information they need to reverse the spell. However, it may be that her cryptic conversations hold the clues they need to find answers. Will they be able to bring back Shelby before she disappears forever? Or, will they, just like everyone else, forget she ever existed?

THE ROSEMARY SPELL is a thoughtful look at memory and poetry. The sorrow Rosemary feels at her own losses and the panic she feels at the possibility of losing Shelby, too, are finely written. Zimmerman takes elements of several genres and transcends each by telling a coming-of-age story with magic, mystery, adventure and realism. The use of Shakespearean references create a richness and sophistication not found in every middle grade book. This novel about growing up, letting go, confronting loss, pain and change and the power of true friendship is, despite moments of plot repetition, an entertaining one.