The Forgotten Summer of Seneca

Gr 4-6–Garrett combines magical realism with history to explore the little-known true origins of Seneca Village and grief. Rowan, 12, described as having dark brown skin, is grieving the loss of her father and struggling as she stays with Aunt Monica in New York City for the summer. When she brings her dad’s old film camera to Central Park, she finds a portal that leads to Seneca Village, a magical version of the real village that existed in that location in the mid-1800s. The portal village is inhabited by Black people with magical abilities living without modern technology. Only those with magic can find the village, and Rowan uncovers a mystery of a missing girl, one of the villagers who controlled the portal. This novel is one of the very few resources for kids about Seneca Village, which will appeal to historical fiction fans. The tender tone and length of the book makes it accessible and very readable for a broad audience while still being engaging, thought provoking, and a page-turning mystery. It explores themes of gentrification, friendship, and grief.