"I have heard of a Chinese legend that the gods use a red thread to connect lovers who are destined for each other. I imagine all of us as points that exist in space and time, with red threads that unite us to our important people, places, events and even things. These threads cross and intersect. They tangle. They are a huge web that circles the world. 
 Stories are the way we reveal these threads. This happened, and because of that, this. This is the way human beings understand ourselves and how we have come to be who we are, narratives show us what is important in our lives. Stories make the magic of fate visible." p. 10 
 Like Papademetriou, I have heard of the Chinese legend about the red thread. One of my favorite musicians, Lucy Kaplansky, has an album titled The Red Thread. I love the title song. When I chose this book to read, I had no idea that the author was going to write about the connections of story. I just thought it would be interesting to read a children's tale about a magic book. 
 I am not sure that the average child reads the author's notes when they pick up a book. Even if they don't get caught up in Papademetriou's note about her own magic book, I am sure they are going to be glad they met Kai and Leila. This is an amusing story and the author tells it well. As an adult reader, I could tell where we were going, but I enjoyed every moment. 
 Now that I am finished, the author's note is the best part of the book. I like Papademetriou's theory about stories revealing our connections. I believe that to be true. Once we know each other's life story, I think we are linked together for all time. 
 If you know a child who likes books, magic and reading about friendship, please consider sharing this novel with her. 
 Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperCollins for allowing me early access to this fun tale.