The Miraculous

Written by Jess Redman

A boy's belief in miracles is tested after tragedy, leading to an unexpected journey of healing.

4.5/7 Bookroo expert·4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,109 ratings

320 pages· 50,533 words· Est. 7 hour read

$16.99Save 7%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Wunder Ellis, once a believer in miracles, loses faith after his sister's death. Meeting the spirited Faye, they discover an enigmatic woman who challenges them to believe again. As they explore an abandoned house, they embark on a journey of friendship, adventure, and healing. Can Wunder find hope in the darkest moments?

From the publisher

In the tradition of heartwrenching and hopeful middle grade novels such as Bridge to Terabithia comes Jess Redman’s stunning debut about a young boy who must regain his faith in miracles after a tragedy changes his world.

Eleven-year-old Wunder Ellis is a miracologist. In a journal he calls The Miraculous, he records stories of the inexplicable and the extraordinary. And he believes every single one. But then his newborn sister dies, at only eight days old. If that can happen, then miracles can’t exist. So Wunder gets rid of The Miraculous. He stops believing. Then he meets Faye—a cape-wearing, outspoken girl with losses of her own. Together, they find an abandoned house by the cemetery and a mysterious old woman who just might be a witch. The old woman asks them for their help. She asks them to believe. And they go on a journey that leads to friendship, to adventure, to healing—and to miracles. The Miraculous is Jess Redman’s sparkling debut novel about facing grief, trusting the unknown, and finding brightness in the darkest moments.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 320
Words: 50,533
Reading age: 8–12
Audience: Middle Grade
Lexile: 650L

Themes & topics

Books about death Books about siblings Books about friendship Books about family life Books about family

For the grown-ups

The parent guide

What families may want to know

Every family reads differently. These are the concepts our editors noticed in this book — worth seeking out for some readers, worth knowing about for others. The list isn't exhaustive, but it's a spoiler-light head start.

Presence of Death

This book is about a brother whose sister dies at eight days old and his family’s journey to recovery. While the overall story is one of hope, death and bereavement is a central theme.

What readers & critics say

Reviews

4.5

out of 7

4.5

“A nice story to help someone who is grieving. It teaches us to come together and that our deceased loved ones are always near us. It felt a little heavy and for an older audience.”

Mom of Boys

Trusted reviewer

For readers who can't stop at one