Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Cozy, comforting, and mild coming-of-age fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In THE FARAWAY INN, 16-year-old Calisa is desperate to leave Brooklyn after she catches her boyfriend cheating. Luckily, a worthy place to regroup for the summer awaits: her great Auntie Zee's bed and breakfast in Vermont. She's determined to distract herself from pining with hard work. But when she arrives at the Faraway Inn, it's not how she remembered as a young child. The grounds are a tangle of vines, the roof is dripping with moss, and the porch collapses when she approaches the front door. Worse than that, her Auntie Zee says she doesn't want her help. She can stay for three days, not the whole summer. Calisa is determined to change her mind and gets to work dusting and gardening with the help of Jack, the cute caretaker's son. The more Calisa cleans, the more she notices around the inn, strange things like a tea set that knows when guests want tea, a large reptile in the upstairs bathroom, and a closet that screams. Exactly what kind of establishment is this? And will Calisa discover its secrets before Auntie Zee sends her packing?
Is It Any Good?
This bed and breakfast book provides respite for all: Calisa, the heartbroken main character, and anyone pining for a cozy, comforting fantasy read. There are no big battles, no cruel monsters, and only one dragon who's as sweet and petite as a lap cat. In place of battles, we have bake-offs and gardening, in place of monsters we have, well, you'll see. No spoilers here. All the inn's guests are both huge chocolate cake fans and more than meets the eye. And so is Auntie Zee. She's both the grouchiest and the most intriguing. Only a character like Calisa with her combination of curiosity and can-do spirit has any hope of uncovering her many secrets. Jack, the cute caretaker's son, helps as well, while he helps Calisa recover from heartbreak. The romance could have used more conflict or a swoonier vibe, but it's not the main focus of the story, Calisa's coming of age is. Older teen fans preparing for college will relate to her uncertainty about what lies ahead and who she wants to be. It adds an extra layer of richness to this sugary treat of a fantasy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Calisa's unplugged summer in The Faraway Inn. She learned to bake cakes with a cookbook and lots of practice and without online help. What else did she figure out without technology? Would you make it through a whole summer without your cell phone?
Auntie Zee is upset about getting old. How does Calisa show compassion for her? How does she push her past her stubbornness about asking for help?
Calisa shows a lot of curiosity when her Auntie Zee wishes she wouldn't. How does her curiosity help her aunt? How does it connect her with others?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Animals ( Cats ) , Baking , Family Stories , Fantasy ( Dragons , Fairies , Magic ) , Travel
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Curiosity , Empathy , Gratitude , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : March 31, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : March 30, 2026
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