"A miracle did happen somehow, someway, and deep in their hearts, they knew Angelina would be with them always."
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Miracles Can Happen: The Ring by Caryn Lesley Trafford Publishing
book review by K.R. Mecom
Katie Richards is not quite the typically twelve year girl. Although she loves Justin Beiber and hanging out with her best friend, she willingly cleans up around the house and cooks dinner. Knowing how hard her widowed mother works, Katie is both thoughtful and caring. And that's why when she comes upon the perfect outfit for an upcoming Justin Bieber concert in a consignment shop. She thinks that her mother will never be able to afford the beautiful clothes, but the shop is owned by a magical, fairy-like woman called Angelina who just may be something of a miracle worker. After finding an emerald ring in the bag that came with her outfit, Katie and her mother's lives will never be the same.
Ashley Cummings is not quite the privileged, snobby girl one would expect. Although she has a devoted father, who just happens to be famous filmmaker, she is still grieving over the loss of her mothe, and is bound to a wheelchair after a horse riding accident. When Katie discovers Ashley is the owner of the emerald ring, she never expects to become fast friends with someone so seemingly different from her. And when Katie's mother meets Ashley's father, they may just yet get a second chance at love.
Although there is an overload of details and descriptions, Lesley's prose is simple enough for young readers while still being engaging. Lesley perfectly captures the spirit, thoughts, and nuances of her preteen characters. Katie and Ashley, with their obsessions with clothes and pop singers, feel like they could be found hanging out at any shopping mall. The book also delivers a great message about caring about all the people in one's life, both new and old. Miracles Can Happen offers young girls great role models and helps them understand that doing the right thing is its own reward.