The Miraculous – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Miraculous

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2020

83%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A tender, magical story about an 11-year-old who stopped believing in miracles after his baby sister died—until a cape-wearing friend helps him heal.

The Miraculous

book

2020

83%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A tender, magical story about an 11-year-old who stopped believing in miracles after his baby sister died—until a cape-wearing friend helps him heal.

4.7

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the real deal—a middle grade novel that doesn't shy away from the hardest parts of being human. Infant death is about as heavy as it gets, but Redman's lyrical prose and the magical realism elements keep this from being a grief memoir. Instead, it's a story about how we rebuild belief and hope after tragedy.

The 4.7 Amazon rating and glowing reviews from outlets like School Library Journal confirm what's obvious from the synopsis: this is well-crafted, emotionally intelligent fiction. It's not a page-turner (the adventure builds slowly), but for kids ready to sit with big feelings, it's gold.

One caution: make sure your kid is in the right headspace. If they've recently experienced loss—especially of a sibling—this could be either healing or too raw. You know your kid best.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9-13 who are ready for emotionally complex stories about loss. The magical elements and hopeful tone make heavy themes accessible, but this isn't for kids who get overwhelmed by sad stories.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Redman handles infant death and grief with gentleness and emotional honesty. The story models friendship, cooperation, and processing difficult emotions in healthy ways. The protagonist's journey from despair back to hope is age-appropriate and emotionally grounding, never exploitative or manipulative.

Imaginative

The concept of a 'miracologist' who records inexplicable events is charming and original. The magical elements—a mysterious old woman who might be a witch, an abandoned house by the cemetery—blend realistic grief with wonder. The journal device invites kids to think about mystery and belief in creative ways.

Safe

The central premise involves infant death, which is heavy but handled with care according to multiple reviews. Common Sense Media notes the 'consequent loss of faith,' which could be triggering for families experiencing similar grief. However, the book is transparent about its subject matter from the synopsis, so there's no surprise element. The magical realism keeps it from being overwhelmingly dark.

Enriching

This is exactly the kind of book that helps kids process big, scary emotions. It tackles grief, loss of faith, and healing with sophistication and hope. Reviews consistently praise its emotional depth and the way it invites young readers to grapple with life's mysteries. The 'bitter reality laced with hope' approach builds empathy and emotional intelligence.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Lyrical, beautiful writing that treats grief with honesty and gentleness
The 'miracologist' concept is genuinely creative—a kid who records inexplicable events in a journal
Models healthy friendship and emotional processing during devastating loss
Blends realistic grief with magical realism in a way that feels hopeful, not escapist
Comparisons to Bridge to Terabithia are earned—this is emotionally sophisticated middle grade fiction

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What to Watch For

The book opens with infant death and explores a child's grief throughout—make sure your kid is ready for that
Themes of losing and regaining faith might be heavy for some families or require conversation
School Library Journal notes the adventure is 'slow to build'—this is character-driven, not plot-driven

Conversation Starters

"Wunder kept a journal of miracles. What would you put in a journal like that?"
"Why do you think Wunder stopped believing after his sister died? Have you ever felt like something made you stop believing in something?"
"Faye wears a cape and is really outspoken. What do you think makes her a good friend for Wunder?"
"The old woman asks them to believe. What do you think she means by that?"

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