Rialto

Gr 5 Up–A rich tapestry woven with distinctive characters, sophisticated language, mysteries large and small, beautiful art and music, as well as love and magic. Sisters Ivy and Dahlia are on a trip to Rialto, MO, with their parents. The girls are old enough to recognize that their old patterns of doing things are changing. The games that once entertained them have been replaced with new things, and Dahlia in particular has been struggling with anxiety. Dahlia is learning new coping strategies, and Ivy is trying her best not to worry about Dahlia and exacerbate her anxiety. As they adventure with family friend Remy, they come across the lore of the long-lost Rialto theme park, allegedly swallowed by forest years ago. Strange rumors and sightings surround the Rialto, leading to a mystery that may take some magic to solve. Literary references abound in Milford’s latest, from Winnie the Pooh to Hercule Poirot, giving readers a sense of how the girls are growing and how literature, art, and music can be touchpoints in a person’s life. The conversations about Dahlia and her dad coping with their mental health may open doors to similar conversations for readers. There are themes of friendship, love, romance, magic, protection, art and music, and mental health, as well as how relationships change over time. Though the pace can feel slow at times, this is a richly told tale that readers will reach for again and again. Ivy and Dahlia are cued white.