iPooKee is an endearing and comical space odyssey - part fantasy, part inspiring drama, this novel by Brook Tesla shows how love can truly stand the test of time.

iPooKee is the story of Nancy Edison, who’s nicknamed PooKee, a 10-year-old girl who has magical powers to “scrunch and puff”, or reverse and stop time.  She tries to use those powers to find her father, who disappeared in the 9/11 attacks in New York.  PooKee searches for him in the virtual City of ., but soon becomes trapped in the cruel town, where technology is more important than community. Along the way, she has to fight foes like powerful businessman Larry Quack.  PooKee’s magical journey eventually changes her life forever.

Tesla has created a likable and powerful protagonist in PooKee. Though she’s 10-year-old, PooKee has the tenacity and bravery of a grown woman.  Her perseverance shines through, along with her love of her father. Love is such an important theme in the novel. PooKee’s Uncle Walter teaches her spells where she has to say self-affirming chants like, “I love myself because I’m the greatest.’’ PooKee’s nickname for her father, Rhubarb Pie, along with the heartwarming stories she recalls throughout the novel, illustrate the unbreakable bond of father and daughter. PooKee is strong, but also vulnerable, making her such a relatable character.

The book also has insightful commentary about the control technology can have on everyday life. The descriptions of the City of . paint a vivid picture to make a virtual world seem so real. The science fiction elements of the story are strong metaphors throughout the novel for the Internet’s strong influence on society. Mail is delivered to a person’s eyeballs and software architects are the most important people in the city that creates virtual food on computers. The City of . is part Brave New World, partWizard of Oz.

The book is a great mixture of fantasy, comedy, and drama. iPooKee is a novel that young adults and their parents can equally enjoy. Fans of fantasy like Harry Potter and classic time travel novels like A Wrinkle in Time will love this book.  From Larry Quack’s cartoonish and unethical science experiments to historical figure Cleopatra being a bureaucratic boss in the City of ., the novel has a humorous charm. In contrast to the comic relief, the seriousness of the aftermath of 9/11 pervades iPooKee with a heartfelt tribute to those lost on that tragic day. iPooKee is a novel that will make readers laugh, cry, and most importantly, think about their loved ones. This book will remind readers about the tragic past of September 11, but also give hope to readers about how love can shape the future.