Speculation, Nisi Shawl
Speculation, Nisi Shawl
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Speculation

Author: Nisi Shawl

Narrator: Joniece Abbott-Pratt

Unabridged: 5 hr 17 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 01/23/2024


Synopsis

After Winna's little sister breaks her glasses, her grandfather gives her an old-timey pair of spectacles that belonged to her great-aunt Estelle. The specs are silver and perfectly circular, with tiny stars on the bridge and earpieces that curl all the way around her ears.

Best of all, they're magic.

Because when Winna makes a wish beginning with the words "What if"—that is, when she speculates—the spectacles grant it. Winna wishes she could see ghosts . . . and soon she meets not only the real Estelle, but Estelle's mother, Winona. Nearly a century before, Winona escaped from slavery and ran north with her baby, Key. But Key was stolen from her under mysterious circumstances, and now Estelle and Winona have a mission for Winna: Find Key.

He's still alive. He doesn't know the whole truth. And unless Winna can solve the mystery and bring him home, a powerful curse called the Burden will smother out their family's lives—and Winna's mom could be its next victim.

This beautifully written historical fantasy by an award-winning science fiction author offers new twists and turns in every chapter and will leave you looking at your own family's roots with new eyes.

About Nisi Shawl

Nisi Shawl is a multiple-award-winning writer and editor. Their novel Everfair was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel, and their short story collection Filter House won the James Tiptree Jr. Award. In 1997, they cofounded the Carl Brandon Society to help give people of color greater visibility in the science fiction and fantasy worlds, and their Writing the Other workshops and accompanying book (cocreated with Cynthia Ward) have taught thousands of writers new ways of thinking about diversity and representation within fiction.

Nisi received the Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America in 2019. Speculation is their first novel for young readers. Born near Kalamazoo, Michigan, Nisi now lives near Seattle.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Marianne on May 23, 2023

Really good middle grade fantasy with relatively high stakes. A thing I particularly appreciated is that even though really hard things happen, the child protagonist has present and loving adults who materially help her solve plot-central problems without the child being any less the central actor i......more

Goodreads review by Charlotte on April 08, 2023

nice mix of real world family and the supernatural......more

Goodreads review by Beth on October 04, 2023

Nominated for 2023 Cybils: Middle Grade Spec Fic I really liked Winna's approach to life and the support of most of her family. Even the bullying cousin Benny had some good points. I liked how she worked out the magic of the glasses, and how her grandfather let her have independence but also was read......more

Goodreads review by Michelle on July 20, 2024

The story was endearing and I felt the frustration of the main character. It takes place in the 60’s and there is some racism which makes the ending great! The part I loved the most was the close relationship between the main character and her grandfather.......more

Goodreads review by Dr. T Loves Books on June 09, 2023

What it’s about: In the 1960s, young Winna is spending the summer with her grandparents after her mother goes to the hospital for a respiratory illness. During her stay, Winna's toddler sister breaks Winna's glasses. Her grandfather lends Winna her great-aunt's glasses to fill in while she waits for......more