Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wacky sci-fi adventure spotlights teen sleuths.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As THE LAST MIRROR ON THE LEFT opens, teen cousins Otto and Sheed are the only people who remember meeting their future selves. The knowledge that Sheed might get sick and die almost paralyzes Sheed. The arrival of Missus Nedraw of the Rorrim Mirror Emporium serves as a distraction, especially because she remembers that the boys took one of her mirrors without permission, a crime punishable by a million years in jail. When one of her worst prisoners escapes, only the Logan Boys are equipped to bring the fugitives to justice.
Is It Any Good?
Even the most absurd situation benefits from some grounding in reality, and this zany adventure demonstrates the benefits of close family connections. In The Last Mirror on the Left, Otto and Sheed face the possibility of dying, and their reaction to their mortality is both touching and funny. Author Lamar Giles keeps the plot moving at a breakneck pace, with quirky dialogue and unforeseeable twists. This series is a winner, perfect for middle-grade boys who want some surefire hilarity, and many will eagerly snap up the concluding volume.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Last Mirror on the Left uses the "many worlds" theory to explain the multi-dimensional mirrors. What's fun about reading science fiction?
Otto knows that Sheed might die when they return home, but he won't tell him. Should friends keep secrets from each other?
Why are Sheed and Otto so close? Is it unusual for family members to hang out together? Why should kids look up to their grandparents?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Dapo Adeola
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Versify
- Publication date : October 20, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate