“Really?” I say, but it’s more like a squeal. Because like I said, even though most people have heard of the book, not that many people have actually read it. “I’ve read it like a thousand times.”

“Same here.” She reaches into her backpack and pulls out a notebook. All across the cover, there are quotes written in silver Sharpie. She points to one that I recognize immediately.

It’s from a scene in the book after Jack and Sarah reach the Dimwood. They have the feeling that something is following them, but it’s not until they rescue a gnome from becoming an ogre’s midnight snack that a snowy-white owl swoops down and reveals himself to be an old wizard called Maradel. He rewards them for their kindness with a basket full of fresh bread and butter that magically replenishes itself and a hollow stone with a flame inside that never burns out. When Jack and Sarah thank him for his magic, he says they have themselves to thank. Then he says the thing that’s written on Fina’s notebook.

“Kindness is its own kind of magic.”

“I check the bookstore for a sequel every time I go,” I say.

“I used to have a refrigerator box that I pretended was Fernlace. I made a flag and cut a door and everything.”

“Cool.” Fernlace is the fairy palace in the book, in case you don’t know. On the outside, its walls are made of the strongest river stones, but inside, they are woven from threads of soft cloud.

Fina grins, but then she pulls out a ziplock bag full of vegetable chips and pulls a face. “Ugh. My mom knows I don’t like these.”

“In that case,” I say, digging into my satchel once again until I root out two of the double chocolate chip cookies Mom got me yesterday, “want a cookie?”

She giggles. “I really do. My mom never lets me take cookies to school. She’s way into healthy food.”

I hold up my carrot sticks. “Same,” I say. “I don’t usually get cookies, either.”

I hope Fina doesn’t ask me why I have them today. Ever since I found the journal, I’ve had something else to think about besides my white spots. And I’m not ready to tell anyone else about those.

Fortunately, she breaks a big bite off and sticks it straight in her mouth. “Mmmm,” she groans. “This is amazing.”

Ms. Singh walks down the hall and catches sight of us in the library window. She waves and gives a thumbs-up.

“She thinks we’re reading,” I say. “Doing something educational.”

“This is educational!” Fina insists. “We’re having book club. You know what I love about that book? Every time I read it, it feels like the first time.”