The Secret of Four Notch by Tracy Sabin

Danny, Jen, and Tabor’s lives are upended in The Secret of Four Notch by Tracy Sabin, a whimsical tale of change and growth.

When their parents abruptly move the family out of state, the siblings’ grand summer plans are ruined. However, they soon meet a pinecone-slinging friend, Kip Yotter, who is eager to find adventure, and maybe a bit of trouble. The new friends find a tree stump that allows them to travel back in time, and the siblings’ lives are shaken up once again, despite their resistance to change. The temptation of living in the rustic past collides with the reality of Danny’s present, as he works through his fears, insecurities, and anger at his lack of control.

Despite the fictional nature of the premise, the characters are wrestling with very real crises while carving out their still-forming identities. With powerful allegorical commentary about the unpredictability of youth, and healthy ways to handle dynamic shifts in life, this is a charming and easy-to-access story with important lessons for young readers. Some of the themes may be heavy for the target audience, but they are introduced thoughtfully and subtly, without overbearing the reader.

There are some easily remedied proofreading errors, such as incorrect apostrophe placement, missing commas, and repetitive language, but these small slips don’t detract much from an otherwise delightful read. Overall, The Secret of Four Notch artfully combines a captivating, page-turning read with important issues facing every young reader.