The Oracle's Door by Zetta Elliott

What worked:

This book is the backstory for a series. It’s set in the early 1900s when black families flee the South only to discover they’re not universally accepted in the North. Families from different ethnicities don’t interact despite living as neighbors on the same streets. Racial tension runs throughout the story and the Red Summer is the climactic moment in the plot. The Red Summer occurred in 1919 when riots between blacks and whites spilled into Chicago streets. The story includes historical references to add authenticity and to describe the emotional turbulence of the times.

The plot follows Vinny’s journey into a magical world called Palmara where she learns she has powers and can train to become a witch. Sis is the Guardian of the realm and Vinny and L. Roy, her best friend, have mixed reactions to Sis’s view of humans. L. Roy is offended that she thinks humans are violent and crave power but Vinny knows there is truth in the Guardian’s words. Vinny becomes connected to a baby dragon but its critical condition after a premature birth has her worried. Sis, Vinny, and L. Roy have different ideas about what is best for the dragon and it develops into a major issue between them.

Vinny experiences racism from white neighbors and she struggles when her desire to stand up for herself conflicts with her mother’s wish for her to mind her place. Vinny’s father had been hanged by white men and Vinny had stones thrown at her while walking along the shore of Lake Michigan. Readers can understand Vinnie’s desire to live her own life but they can also appreciate her mother’s protective nature. Vinny’s grandmother doesn’t interfere with the mother’s decisions but she offers Vinny counseling and comfort when they’re alone. The story includes an old man the children fear but Vinny finds out he’s misunderstood and may be a valuable ally.

What didn’t work as well:

Readers can enjoy this book independent of the series but they’ll miss out on connections with the rest of the series. This book lacks significant tension and suspense in the plot as Vinny discovers the new world. There is friction between characters but the Red Summer offers the most serious consequences but doesn’t arise until the climax.

The final verdict:

While the discovery of Palmara is important, the book mainly addresses racial pressure and uncertainty during this time in history. Vinny’s relationships with her mother and best friend present different kinds of conflict that highlight the story. This book is more compelling than readers might expect and I recommend you give it a shot.