Review Detail

Having enjoyed Vera Brosgol's graphic novels, I jumped at the chance to read her latest novel, Return to Sender. It's a truly captivating and imaginative story that blends magical elements with realistic and relevant topics such as immigration, socioeconomics, and grief.

The story centers around Oliver, a fifth-grader whose life has been turned upside down since his father's death. He and his mom move between various relatives' homes until an unexpected inheritance from his Aunt Barb leaves them with an apartment in Manhattan. Oliver has another big change when he starts the elite private school Whittle Academy. Oliver's mom gets a job as a custodian at the school, allowing him to attend on a scholarship. Thrust into a world of immense wealth, Oliver feels the disparities between his life and those of his privileged classmates.

Oliver soon discovers that his new apartment holds a secret: a mysterious, wish-granting mail slot. Oliver begins to use this magical mail slot more frequently, to impress his new classmates, and of course, chaos ensues.

What I Liked: Vera Brosgol's sensitive depiction of Oliver's grief and his stepping up as a caregiver to his mom really touched me. The grief felt palpable and heartbreaking. It was also interesting to see how Oliver struggled to relate to his Whittle Academy classmates as he dealt with life's unfairness and how his privileged classmates had it far easier than he did. Oliver manages to make one true friend in Colette, a hilarious character who adds much-needed comic relief to the narrative. The sprinkling of black-and-white illustrations throughout the book helps to keep readers engaged.

What Left Me Wanting More: While the magical mail slot was an interesting and unique concept initially, I found that it quickly delved into a realm of insanity that felt too far-fetched. In my opinion, the book should have focused on the realistic emotional storyline that Brosgol writes so well.

Return to Sender is a middle-grade book that will appeal to readers who enjoy stories with heart, humor, and magic sprinkled in.