A compelling story about a young woman coming of age as she is drawn into a sweeping battle between good and evil
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Then and There, Here and Where
Esabella Strickland | GenZ Publishing
$26.99 | 256pp.
Then and There, Here and Where is a remarkable achievement, a competent and fluid book that deploys the usual tropes of the fantasy genre to tell a compelling story about a young woman coming of age as she is drawn into a sweeping battle between good and evil, a battle for balance that brings the young protagonist face to face with her family’s hidden secrets and the world-protecting responsibilities they carry. This is a book that will appeal to young readers who love the genre, or who are looking for insight into the world of neurodiversity. It will also appeal to adult readers, especially parents of neurodiverse children and educators. But above all, it is a well written and enjoyable read, accessible, informative and entertaining, and appropriate for all readers.
Neurodiversity is a general term used to refer to folks who might otherwise be diagnosed on the autism spectrum or with Attention Deficit Disorder, as well as others with ways of learning that are outside cultural norms. It is meant to destigmatize these people and encourage respect for all learning styles.
This fall Strickland will speak at an Etre Girls Ted Talk in New York. She will also begin her studies in film animation at the Vancouver Film School.
“My dad grounded me in my writing process by helping me put my internal story onto paper,” she said.
Orabella, the book’s protagonist, is an entirely believable character who brings a fierce intelligence and a compassionate heart to telling her story. The fantasy elements in the narrative are adroitly handled and the interpersonal dynamics of Orabella’s family and age-mates are portrayed with deep human understanding.
Highly recommended.