The Lightning People Play is a powerful YA novel that combines heartwarming family drama, magical realism, and the power of theatre and community. Tim Cummings’s debut, Alice the Cat, was an “American Book Awards ‘Best Book’ finalist.” In this very different book, readers are once again in the enchanted town of Weirville, and a standout character from Alice the Cat, Cotter Wingham, returns for a prominent role!

This story follows Kirby Renton, a 14‑year‑old theatre enthusiast living in the small town of Weirville. His two dads’ separation and his younger brother Baxter’s new epilepsy diagnosis have him distressed. During Baxter’s seizures, mysterious beings he calls the “lightning people” appear & show him strange symbols. When the neurologist advises a pricey seizure-alert dog as a medical support, Kirby rallies his theater friends and stages an ambitious backyard play amidst their forested lot to raise funds.

The novel is so incredibly original, blending compelling family drama, magical realism, LGBT family dynamics, and the struggles of growing up. There’s also some OCD representation in the novel captured through Kirby’s frustrations and his “fizzy” brain. The story is told from the 1st person POV of Kirby, who comes across as wise beyond his years. His expressive inner monologues showcase his empathetic, compassionate nature, and he outwardly vocalizes his adolescent hopes and fears—especially in regard to his younger brother—and readers will easily feel all his emotions and stresses throughout the story. The representation of epilepsy is a big part of the novel. Anyone who has the illness or knows someone with the condition will appreciate its accurate portrayal and how the story shows the toll it can take on an entire family!

This is very much a character-driven story, with the magical realism elements adding intrigue and becoming more pronounced in the second half. The special bond between Kirby and Baxter and the concept of sibling loyalty & love is the real foundation of the story. While Kirby and his father have a lot of concern over Baxter’s condition, Baxter speaks of his seizures and experiences with the “Lightning People” with a sense of wonder and hope—almost as if he senses that they have a benevolent agenda and are communicating to help him. When Kirby starts to notice signs in his own life, he too thinks there might be something extraordinary going on. His efforts to finance a seizure-alert dog then evolve into a magical experience as strange portals and symbols emerge during his backyard plays. These scenes are especially memorable and cinematic—and the story could easily become a film!

The magic of theater is also beautifully captured. Kirby and his theater crew friends use their mutual passion for acting, interpretative dance, and improv to turn a medical crisis into a story of hope, and, in doing so, capture the attention and hearts of the community. What’s even more compelling about this novel is that the author drew on his own childhood experiences caring for his brother, who had epilepsy and passed away from a seizure. All of these elements make this novel quite remarkable, and it’s a story that will stay with readers for a long time!

Overall, The Lightning People Play is an extraordinary story of sibling loyalty and brilliantly showcases how creativity can spark real change. Readers who enjoy mixed-genre YA, theater, heartfelt family dramas, and magical realism will love this book!