Each of Us a Universe by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo

Two girls with big problems draw resilience from each other and the “Magic” of the Universe.

Each of Us a Universe by Jeanne Zulick Ferruolo with Ndengo Gladys Mwilelo. Farrar Strauss Giroux, 2022, 294 pages.

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12

Recommended for: ages 10-15

A Universe of Trouble

Calliope (Cal) Scott has one thing to cling to these days: the “magic” of Mount Meteorite, named for the space rock that supposedly crashed there 50 years earlier. The spire atop the mountain has only been climbed once, by two climbers who were never seen again. Or that’s the story, which  Cal now longs to verify for herself. She could use some magic in her life since her mother’s cancer diagnosis and her father’s drunk driving conviction (for which he’s serving time). She’s not open to new relationships, but the new girl in her class, Rosine Kanambe, senses a kindred spirit and the girls become friends in spite of Cal’s peculiar fixation. Or perhaps because of it—Rosine is a refugee from The Congo who has seen plenty of trouble in her own life. What if they attempted the Mt. Meteorite climb together?

“Science” vs. “Magic”

The novel takes its title from a Neil deGrasse Tyson quote: There’s as many atoms in a single molecule of your DNA as there are stars in the typical galaxy. We are, each of us, a little universe. True, but what Cal attributes to “magic” is the work of a personal creator never acknowledged in her experience. What’s interesting, and possibly useful, about this story is a continuing dialogue between “science” and “faith,” or things seen vs. things unseen. Cal’s science teacher stands in for the former, while her friend Mr. Demsky argues for faith. Faith in what? Well, that’s up to you. The point is, there need be no argument between the two.

In that case, there’s no real distinction between faith and magic. This is a common humanist position, probably held by the majority of American who don’t think about it too deeply. Religion gets its due, but not Christianity (Rosine is Muslim, the Demskys are Jewish). I believe this is because Christ is very specific and exclusive in his demands (I am the way), and that’s considered the height of bigotry today. But Christian young people need to understand this worldview in order to answer it, and this story might be a good springboard for discussion. The theme of resilience in the face of hardship is valuable for its own sake as well, though Cal’s anger and willful alienation may try a reader’s patience.

Overall Rating: 3.75

• Worldview/moral value: 3.5
• Artistic/literary value: 4

Read more about our ratings here.                 

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Reviews: In her Author Note, Ms. Ferruolo reflects that there aren’t too many children’s books about dealing with a parent’s cancer diagnosis. We’ve reviewed at least four: Goodbye Cancer Garden is a picture book with a happy ending; Dancing at the Pity Party is a YA graphic novel with a sad ending. Final Season and Unstoppable, both by Tim Green are sports novels dealing with serious illness: ALS in a dad and bone cancer in a 13-year-old.

• Reflection: See my thoughts on “Where Does the ‘Magic’ Come From?”

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