Worldbuilding in Children's Fantasy is usually a hit-or-miss for me. Obviously, they target a completely different age group, but this one worked for me as well.
The author has kept it simple by describing just the basic magic that schools teach and how it moulds a middle schooler and affects his/her life. Simon has freckles. This is bigger than anything possible because it marks him out as a weak wizard. He is so weighed down by the reactions of his peers that when they push invisibility on him as he goes to school, he lets it envelop him. He does not have a very high opinion of himself until one day, he loses his temper and unleashes a smoke dragon on some bullies. They, unfortunately, do not attribute its appearance to him, and this adds an interesting complexity to the tale.
He decides to try out for the school's sports team, where he expects to be rejected. Things start to change when he questions his behaviour and learns a thing or two about life after school - this transformation is neither instantaneous nor all-encompassing but is a step ahead for a worried child to feel like an almost adult. I highly recommend this as a conversation starter for people who feel bullied (however old they are). It missed the five-star mark for me just by a little bit, solely because I felt like it could have been slightly shorter, but that's just me.
I have not read or recommended it to a preteen yet, but given the glowing reviews I saw after I finished it, I think it works perfectly for that age group. I would definitely read another book by the author if I get the chance.
I received this book as an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Overall I did not enjoy this book. It was ok, but it felt overdone. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I enjoyed some of the world building with the magic but it did feel like a pretty heavy handed metaphor. I think it would probably be good for some elementary or middle grade kids though.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me an ARC in return for my honest feedback.

This was a fantastic book. I love Simon's character and the growth that he shows throughout the story. Aunt Helena is hilarious, I love how she doesn't give a crap what others think of her. Esme is the best, she is supportive and daring and a great friend. I love that this story deals with typical stuff like bullying, insecurity, popularity, and crushes all while figuring out your wizarding abilities. I can't wait to read more books from Jerry Harwood in the future.

The story begins in a place where wizards are real...and the scene opens with a collectible wizard card battle. Two boys draw out one card each, then an interactive wizard character emerges from the smoke (depending on the surprise card in the foil pack)!

Simon and Trent are best friends, and are bullied by three boys with nothing better to do. Simon has freckles, the dark kind all over, that really show up. He hates freckles, and is teased about them at school. Simon has two wishes; one involves skin without freckles. To make things worse, everyone believes they're the sign of a weak wizard (tv, trading cards, stories, etc.) So to kids in middle school, it must be absolutely true.

When someone with magical abilities is put under enough pressure, sometimes, something big happens. And this time it did. Was it dark magic? Who decides? How does somebody become a dark wizard?

This was basically a story about not letting bullies have all the power, trying new things and discovering new abilities, learning to accept yourself, and making mistakes, then building stronger relationships. It's a lot to cover but it works. And this particular type of magic was fun.

The kids were likable, and the school sports add adventure, danger, and drama, without actual peril! Parents will be glad!

Some limitations of the world's magic were silly, and parental choices appear random at times, but this story is from a kid's point of view (approx. age 12), when more adult-ish life issues can be puzzling and seem to be coming in from all directions.

The question?
I have never seen so many sentences that weren't questions--or said as questions--end with a question mark! It really was astounding? (See? It's odd, and it's everywhere in the book!)

Over all, the uniqueness of the world and the characters make the book enjoyable, despite a few plot cliches.

3.8/5 Stars

*Some scenes of (child vs. child) and one of (parent vs family) bullying depict fear and helplessness, or significant anger. Parental guidance is advised. One instance of profanity.

Thanks to the author/publisher and NetGalley for the free digital copy of this book; the review is voluntary.

#FrecklesTheDarkWizard #NetGalley
#Jerry Harwood #ChildrensFiction
#ChildrensSwordandSorceryFantasyBooks
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#ChildrensEbooks #ChildrensWitchesandWizardsBooks

Think – a cross between James Patterson’s Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life, Jeff Kinney’s Diary of Wimpy Kid series and Sarina Dories, well-sketched, fast-paced series, Womby’s School for Wayward Witches. Enjoy any or all of those and you will get a big kick out of Jerry Harwood’s Freckles: The Dark Wizard. The coming-of-age tale of Simon, who is hobbled by shyness and puberty's insecurity, and embarrassed by a facial feature most humans overlook will at first seem like something read many times. It is not. Nonetheless, the story reminds readers that in high school no one wants to stand out unless they are cool. In short, most kids want to be special.

Buy Freckles for any child about to enter middle school. You’ll hear some laughs, even if they read it in secret. They will thank you ... some day. Some early teens take a lot for granted.

Thanks to Jerry Harwood and NetGalley for the chance to read this work. For a longer version of this review, check out - Veereads.com