Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun, suspenseful fantasy about girl with magical powers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When AMARI AND THE GREAT GAME begins, 12-year-old Amari is preparing to go to supernatural summer camp. There's a mysterious episode of frozen time and magicians are blamed. Amari and her best friend, Elsie, investigate the reason for and source of the disruption. Amari is also drawn into a "great game" with other magicians. The winner will get the magic of the loser; the loser may not survive.
Is It Any Good?
Like the first book of the series, this is a fun, exciting read. Amari and the Great Game picks up where Amari and the Night Brothers leaves off. A quick summary of the previous book gets the reader up to speed. Amari is easy to root for because she's smart, persistent, and compassionate -- a strong girl role model with a sensitive side. The magical world is consistent and believable and details about school and family relationships make the ordinary world seem realistic, too.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of loyalty in Amari and the Great Game. What does it mean to be loyal to a friend? Why is loyalty hard sometimes?
Have you ever discovered a special ability or talent that surprised you? What was it? How did you learn you had it?
Amari and the Great Game is told from Amari's point of view. How do you think Elsie's point of view might be different?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Integrity , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Balzer + Bray
- Publication date : August 30, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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