Two Russian immigrant children in Brooklyn bond over stage magic and devotion, navigating separation, trauma, and young love into their teens.
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Two Russian immigrant children in Brooklyn bond over stage magic and devotion, navigating separation, trauma, and young love into their teens.
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NAMED BY THE NATIONAL BOOK FOUNDATION AS A 5 UNDER 35 AUTHOR Vaclav and Lena seem destined for each other. They meet as children in an ESL class in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. Vaclav is precocious and verbal. Lena, struggling with English, takes comfort in the safety of his adoration, his noisy, loving home, and the care of Rasia, his big-hearted mother. Vaclav imagines their story unfolding like a fairy tale, or the perfect illusion from his treasured "Magicians Almanac, " but among the many trut...
What Readers Think
What's Inside
will contain mild spoilers
Sexual content
AI
Central young love story; childhood bond becomes teen romance, non-graphic
Violence & gore
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No evidence found in available sources
Profanity
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No evidence found in available sources
Substance use
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No evidence found in available sources
LGBTQ+ Rep.
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No LGBTQ+ characters or themes depicted
Religious content
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No evidence found in available sources
Magic & witchcraft
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Stage magic and Houdini-style illusions only; no fantasy magic
Occult / demonology
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No occult or demonic content present
Political content
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Russian immigrant life in Brighton Beach as recurring backdrop
Self-harm / suicide
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No evidence found in available sources
Abuse & suffering
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Child sexual abuse by guardians; trauma and foster care central to plot
Other
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No information found