CCBC booklist are compiled from books we have recommended in various editions of CCBC Choices. Most of these booklists are updated annually. You can also select books from one or more booklists to create a custom list, which can also include additional books from the CCBC-Recommended Book Search.
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Persephone's Curse
CCBC Review:
Rumored to be descended from Persephone, Goddess of the Underworld, the white Farthing sisters think of Henry, the ghost of a 17-year-old boy who died in their home decades prior, like a brother. Winnie, 16, is the only sister who can sometimes see other ghosts, too, although this is hardly a gift on par with those of her sisters. Bernadette, 20, is a prolific writer; Evie,18, a talented pianist; and Clara, 14, a gifted artist whose paintings are sometimes prophetic. After realizing Evie is in love with Henry, Winnie takes drastic action so her sister will not limit her future to their brownstone, where Henry is bound. Henry disappears. Shortly thereafter, Evie disappears, too, and a black smudge appears in the sky above their house, exuding coldness and foreboding. Winnie feels horrible for banishing Henry, desperate for Evie’s safe return, and worried about the ominous mark in the sky, which was foretold in Clara’s latest painting. She tries to fix things, but it will take all four Farthing sisters working together to unravel the meaning and power of their gifts. The sisters’ bond is sometimes snarky, occasionally fraught, and always lively, loving, and deep in this spellbinding story weaving the extraordinary into real-world joys (e.g., Winnie’s burgeoning romance with a young woman named Maybe) and challenges (Bernadette’s recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder). The vibrant New York City setting, masterful plotting, spirited dialogue, and finely drawn cast of main and supporting characters make for a richly rewarding read. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: 13 and older
Age Range:
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
Fantasy
Love and Romance
Magic
Mental Health and Illness
Mythology
Sisters
Diversity subject:
LGBTQ Character/Topic
Psychiatric
On CCBC Booklist:
Fantastic Fiction: Great Fantasy Books for Ages 11 to 17
Publishers:
St. Martin's, Wednesday Books
Publish Year: 2025
ISBN: 9781250342904
CCBC Location: Fiction, Leno
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Please send questions or comments about CCBC booklists to ccbcinfo@education.wisc.edu.