Furthermore

Sara lives in a bleak Pennsylvania town with her brothers and dad after her mom's death. She struggles with bullying and negative self-talk while trying to navigate middle school and make sense of her loss. A new friend moves to town and recognizes Sara's spiraling thoughts as something more concerning than typical preteen angst. Their friendship opens Sara's eyes to different ways of thinking and relating to others. Through art, support from unexpected places, and a growing understanding of herself, Sara begins to confront both real and imagined barriers. Her journey shows how mental health challenges can impact young people and the importance of finding connection. The novel examines themes of grief, identity, and the power of reframing one's internal narrative. It offers insight into anxiety and depression through an accessible middle-grade lens without oversimplifying complex emotional terrain.

Readers call this a surreal, whimsical adventure with unconventional storytelling. Reviews highlight King's distinctive writing style and imaginative world-building. Readers appreciated: - Creative metaphors and wordplay - Strong themes of self-acceptance - Dynamic friendship between main characters - Vivid sensory details and descriptions - Appeal to both children and adults Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in middle sections - World rules feel inconsistent - Some readers found it too strange or abstract - Writing style can be distracting Review stats: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ reviews) BookPage: 4/5 stars Notable reader comments: "Like Alice in Wonderland meets Roald Dahl" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful but bewildering at times" - Amazon review "The writing takes getting used to but rewards patient readers" - Kirkus reader review "Perfect for kids who love bizarre but meaningful stories" - School Library Journal comment

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🌈 The author wrote this book under the name A.S. King specifically for middle-grade readers, while she writes her young adult novels under Amy King. 🎨 The book's vibrant world-building was partly inspired by King's experiences as a painter and artist before becoming an author. 📚 Furthermore earned multiple accolades, including being named to the Junior Library Guild Selection list and receiving starred reviews from both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. 🌟 The protagonist Alice's unique appearance—being completely colorless in a world of color—was developed as a metaphor for feeling different and learning self-acceptance. 🌍 The magical world of Furthermore was influenced by classic portal fantasies like Alice in Wonderland, but with its own distinct rules about magic involving paper, origami, and the power of stories.