Reviewed by Priya Mathew for Readers' Favorite

Philip Scholz’s Par Angusta Ad Augusta gave me a peek into our world from a different perspective. Because of the sudden deaths of his brother and sister-in-law in a car accident, Jefferson Thomas, a visually impaired law professor at The New York University Law School, finds himself thrust into the role of a guardian for their three children. The twins Abigail and Taylor and their younger brother Matthew are not only coping with their parents’ deaths in different ways but also must adjust to their new life in Greenwich Village, New York with their uncle. Their lives intersect with the bookstore owner in their neighborhood, Monique Vasquez, a quadriplegic, when the children enter the store while exploring their new surroundings. While new friendships develop and new routines are set, social worker Gloria Lawson from Child Protective Services doubts Jefferson's ability to be the children’s guardian. Will Jefferson rally the help of his ‘village’ of friends and family to convince the family court to grant him full custody of Abigail, Taylor, and Matthew?

Philip Scholz uses descriptive narrative to focus on the emotions and actions of the characters. He draws from his personal experience to enrich and make the descriptions more real. The main characters, Jefferson and Monique, demonstrate independence and capability, not allowing their physical limitations to define them. The author has created well-rounded individuals in his characters. The narrative portrays Jefferson as someone dedicated to his family and resilient to the challenges that his physical limitation brings. Without making me pity them, the narrative creates a sense of empathy for the characters and the challenges they face. The dialogue felt natural. I heard distinct voices for each character, like Taylor's stubborn tilt and Abigail's curious tone. The story moves along steadily, with moments of action through emotional family moments and relationship dramas balanced with introspection and ending in a satisfying resolution. The bonds of family and the power of community support are at the heart of Par Angusta Ad Augusta. However, for me, the transformative impact of an inclusive support system added another layer to this moving read.