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From School Library Journal

November 19, 2021

Gr 4-6-If you had access to forbidden magic and could use it to save a life of a close friend, would you do it? The Fulbright family has run the Rhyme and Reason Bookshop for three generations-one of a handful of bookstores that exist outside of time and maintain the world's magic. But the Dark side of magic is always looking for a way in. It has found one in Poppy's older brother Al, who is devastated by the death of his best friend on a World War II battlefield. The Dark tempts Al to use the store's magic to save his friend, which is absolutely forbidden. Poppy is similarly tempted when their father is struck by a mysterious illness, but she has a closer relationship to the bookstore, and knows she must stop Al, no matter what the cost. She is helped by old friend Ollie Bell and new friend Theo Devlin, plus the shop's many customers, who come from various times and backgrounds. Poppy is a likable and realistic character, with a strong sense of duty that adds gravity to the hard decision she must make. She and her family are white, Ollie is Black, and the rest of the cast is diverse. VERDICT A cozy fantasy with a heartbreaking twist.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles P.L.

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Booklist

November 1, 2021
Grades 4-7 While WWII rages overseas, Poppy spends much of her life in her family's magical New York City bookstore, and it's no wonder: the front door acts as a sort of portal, miraculously pulling in people in need of hope from different decades and locations. The extraordinary shop, prone to emotional outbursts, is one of a string of similar stores scattered about, all part of a long tradition of magical bookshop keeping. Each shop abides by strict guidelines--the most crucial rule stating that no personnel can use the time magic for themselves--though when tragedy strikes, Poppy's older brother desperately plots to skirt the regulations and set their world right again. This excruciating test of Poppy's loyalty takes all of her kindness and creativity to keep her family, bookstore, and larger world safe. It's a splendid setup, and the story takes the time to establish the cozy bookshop world while adding enough twists to keep things interesting, with details to delight in, and emotional avenues to explore. Stop by this bookshop for a magical, moving tale.

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From Publisher's Weekly

October 11, 2021
Set in 1944 in Sutton, N.Y., against the backdrop of WWII, this moving examination of pain and power stars bookish, white 13-year-old Poppy Fulbright, who must navigate the painful death of a friend, her brother's all-consuming grief, and their father's sudden illness while managing the family's magical, moody bookshop, which appears to individuals throughout time who need books and community. Despite the promise that she and her brothers, nine-year-old James and 18-year-old Allan, would adhere to the shop's generations-old rules-including never using its magic for their own gain-Poppy begins to suspect something is amiss when the store begins acting out of character. Worried that Allan is at fault and determined to set things right, Poppy enlists the help of Theo Devlin, a young white shopkeeper at another magical store who understands Poppy's heartache; 14-year-old Ollie Bell, the energetic, light brown—skinned courier who delivers to the shop; and regulars at the shop whom Poppy has come to consider family. Just as the sentient, time-traveling bookstore functions as a comforting haven, Thompson's poignant debut offers an opportunity for readers to gently explore the ways in which people respond to and accept loss. Ages 8—12. Agent: Sarah Landis, Sterling Lord Literistic.

From Kirkus

September 15, 2021
All bookshops feel magical, but even so, Rhyme and Reason is special. Thirteen-year-old Poppy Fulbright is lucky enough to work in and live above one of the most magical bookshops of all time. In fact, time is precisely why it is unique. Sutton, New York, in 1944 isn't the only time and place in which Rhyme and Reason exists: Poppy's family's magical bookshop appears to patrons whenever they need it most, regardless of the year or where they are located. The magic that exists within the shop comes with its own set of rules, and they're strictly enforced by the Council. When Carl, the best friend of Poppy's older brother, Al, dies while fighting in World War II, Al wants to break the rules and use the time-traveling magic of the bookshop to save his life. This historical fantasy is whimsical yet bittersweet given the subject matter. While the premise is engaging, the lackluster plot would have benefited from deeper character development and more expansive worldbuilding. Despite this, the book could appeal to readers who understand the magic that a dusty old bookshop can contain and who appreciate the power of the perfect book. Most characters are cued as White; the shop courier and the Council Leader have brown skin. A simple tale of family, friendship, and the magic of reading. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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