Amari and the Deserving Chosen – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Amari and the Deserving Chosen

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2022

92%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Men in Black meets Harry Potter, but with a hero who has to fight systemic bias alongside monsters. It’s the rare sequel that actually raises the stakes.

Amari and the Deserving Chosen

book

2022

92%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Men in Black meets Harry Potter, but with a hero who has to fight systemic bias alongside monsters. It’s the rare sequel that actually raises the stakes.

4.7

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4.7

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Where to Read

Amazon

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Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This series is the gold standard for modern middle-grade fantasy. It doesn't talk down to kids, and it doesn't shy away from the fact that sometimes the world is unfair just because of who you are.

B.B. Alston manages to make a bureaucratic supernatural office feel like the coolest place on earth. It’s high-energy, high-stakes, and genuinely funny. If your kid is stuck in a reading rut, Amari is the character to get them out of it.

It’s a rare 'must-read' that actually lives up to the hype without being 'brain rot' or overly commercialized.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 8-12 crowd. If they've finished Harry Potter or Percy Jackson and are looking for something that feels modern and fast, this is the one.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Amari’s driving force is her loyalty to her family and her refusal to let bullies define her. It models strong friendships and the importance of standing up for what's right, even when the 'system' is against you.

Imaginative

The Bureau of Supernatural Affairs is top-tier world-building. It blends high-tech secret agency vibes with classic folklore in a way that feels fresh. It’s the kind of book that makes kids look at every weird building and wonder if there's a dragon inside.

Safe

Middle-grade appropriate through and through. No profanity or sexual content. There is fantasy peril and some intense magical duels, but it’s standard fare for fans of Percy Jackson.

Enriching

It handles heavy themes like systemic prejudice and classism through the lens of 'illegal' magic. It teaches kids to question unfair rules without being preachy or boring.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Amari is a relatable underdog who deals with real-world problems (poverty, bullying) alongside magical ones.
The fast-paced mystery keeps even reluctant readers turning pages to find out what happened to Quinton.
It provides fantastic representation and explores #blackgirlmagic in a way that feels central to the plot, not just a checkbox.
The magic system is creative and avoids the tired 'chosen one' clichés by making the hero's power technically 'illegal.'

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What to Watch For

The social exclusion and bullying Amari faces can be intense and might frustrate kids who are sensitive to unfairness.
Some of the magical creatures and 'The Great Game' challenges involve genuine danger and life-or-death stakes.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the Bureau makes certain types of magic illegal? Does that seem fair to you?"
"If you found a ticking briefcase in your closet today, would you open it or call the police?"
"Amari has to compete against kids who have had magic their whole lives. How does she use her 'outsider' perspective to her advantage?"
"Which department in the Bureau would you want to work for? The Department of Hidden Places sounds cool, but the Department of Magical Mishaps probably has better stories."

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