The Key Finder by Mary Beth Bowman

The Key Finder 
by Mary Beth Bowman


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Reviewed for +Readers' Favorite 

For the most part Tony is your average, everyday kid, nothing special about him. His mother sews for a living and no one talks about his father, so Tony gave up on asking. He doesn't really have any friends except maybe Gabriel, and it turns out that Gabriel is exactly who Tony needs in his life. One night a crystal box falls into his room, with directions to use the mirror at a specific time, Tony's mother seems perfectly fine with what is going on, which has Tony even more confused, so he asks his friend Gabriel about it, and to go with him. At exactly 4pm, the boys are transported to another world, where they must choose to embark on a quest to save the king and the kingdom from an evil invading. The Key Finder is a fantasy book, but it is also a coming of age story, as Tony finds strengths in himself he never knew he had along the way. Author Mary Beth Bowman invokes images reminiscent of Dr Seuss creatures in this story.

The Key Finder is a journey, a quest to conquer an invading evil, but it is one that is wrapped in pretty paper. Until you strip about the outer shell and look deep within you can't see the evil, and so many of the people of the kingdom are being swayed by the pretty exterior. This is such a timely and thoughtful book, because we are all swayed by pretty wrappings at times, and forget that what is inside is not always the same. Author Mary Beth Bowman writes a well written, clean book with no sex, language or graphic violence, so I have no problem recommending it to young children, but I think it is a book that parents should read as well, and then use it to talk to your children about what they read and the world around them.

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