My Fairy God Somebody

Sixteen-year-old Clae Mitchell is excited for her internship with a prestigious summer journalism program in New York City. Not only will the position help her get a leg up in her future career, it also provides the resources to delve into the mystery surrounding the “deadbeat dad” she’s never met, whom her mother refuses to talk about. All she knows is someone, who she assumes is related to her father, has been acting as her “fairy god somebody” and providing her mother with financial help. In New York, Clae tracks down her mystery benefactor, only to realize there’s more to her family history than she expected. Meanwhile, she helps her new friends navigate their own challenges: 18-year-old Joelle is planning her upcoming wedding while keeping it a surprise from her parents, and 17-year-old Nze plans to complete a bucket list before she loses her eyesight due to glaucoma. Though Allen (Play the Game) packs this lively and heartfelt story with a few too many plotlines, the relatable characters and Clae’s search for the family she’s never known drive this entertaining piece that explores concepts surrounding Black Freedom Schools and the importance of journalism. Ages 13–up. (Dec.)