At age eleven, Sabella grew a set of silvery gray antlers. That makes her different, and among the residents of an 1880s coal-mining town, different means death. That is, until a new boarder arrives, bringing news of a secret connection to her past and special giftings of his own. Carrie Anne Noble’s The Springborn leaps to life with rich characters that ache with humanity. This standalone story walks through themes well-known by many teen and young adult readers—painful separation between parents, love lost and found, and the simple joys amidst the struggles. Noble cuts new trails across these well-trod paths, leading readers into an original tale of hope and healing.

Best for: Teen and adult fans of magical realism with lyrical storytelling.

Discern: Emotional abuse and manipulation by parents and parental figures, mild violence, verbal abuse because of appearance.

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