Deep in Providence

Gr 9 Up–Friends Miliani, Inez, and Natalie really miss their friend Jasmine, who died suddenly in a car crash. They miss her so much that they are each willing to do things that perhaps they should not do. Mialani misses Jasmine so much she wants to tether her spirit to Jasmine’s twin, even if it will be horrible for the human anchor. Under the tutelage of Miliani’s aunt, the girls practice magic and spells to gain enough strength to bring back Jasmine. Even after all the things that they have made happen, the girls begin to wonder if this magic is just an unsafe distraction from truly grieving for Jasmine. The characters each have a high-interest back story. There is plenty of modern-day teenage angst intertwined with traditional Filipino lore. There is Filipino, Latinx, Black, and queer representation in the main characters.