Book Review: The Keys to the Golden Firebird

The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I picked this up from our local library after reading about it on YAnnabe, a friend's blog about young adult fiction. She had put it on a list of best "unsung" young adult books. With all of my heavy school reading, I thought I could use something a little lighter and intended for a young adult audience. This enjoyable read fit the bill.

It is a refreshingly not-fairy-tale look at a family of three teenage girls and their mom coping with grief after the father unexpectedly dies of a heart attack. While there are some serious topics here, the story includes a real-life mix of the full-spectrum of experiences and emotions. I really enjoyed Johnson's writing and, at times, she had me giggling out loud. Also, with my recent family-of-origin work in school, this book really captures what it is to have an "assigned" role within the context of your family (so many places I look, I see a little Murray Bowen going on). May, the main character, shows what it is to better differentiate yourself from your family and help your family shift in a positive direction in the process.

I will definitely be checking out Maureen Johnson's other books as I really liked her writing. I would recommend this book to any woman who enjoys young adult fiction and who is looking to revisit the ups and downs and trials of the teen years. Also, I recommend it to anyone who can appreciate a reminder of how we sometimes unconsciously surrender our agency and transform to some "other" in the context of family.