A Snicker of Magic (Scholastic Gold) by Natalie Lloyd Published by Scholastic Press on April 28, 2015
Pages: 336
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A Snicker of Magic joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!
Midnight Gulch used to be a magical place, a town where people could sing up thunderstorms and dance up sunflowers. But that was long ago, before a curse drove the magic away. Twelve-year-old Felicity knows all about things like that; her nomadic mother is cursed with a wandering heart.
But when she arrives in Midnight Gulch, Felicity thinks her luck's about to change. A "word collector," Felicity sees words everywhere---shining above strangers, tucked into church eves, and tangled up her dog's floppy ears---but Midnight Gulch is the first place she's ever seen the word "home." And then there's Jonah, a mysterious, spiky-haired do-gooder who shimmers with words Felicity's never seen before, words that make Felicity's heart beat a little faster.
Felicity wants to stay in Midnight Gulch more than anything, but first, she'll need to figure out how to bring back the magic, breaking the spell that's been cast over the town . . . and her mother's broken heart.
I am thrilled to have discovered author, Natalie Lloyd! Her stories have brought such pleasure and delight to my reading. Her words are chosen with purpose and each one creates a unique feeling for her readers. For example, the way a word feels on your lips when you say it or how the syllables sound when put together. Many words are simply fun to say repeatedly while others have a hint of magic to them. I read, “A Snicker of Magic,” about six months ago. I soon followed with Natalie’s second novel, “The Key to Extraordinary.” A novel just a wonderful as the first. I’m also pleased to announce that Natalie Lloyd has started a new series called, “The Problem Children” which I can’t wait to get my hands on.
We all desire a place to call home and Felicity Juniper Pickle is no different. When her mom parks the van in a place called Midnight Gulch, Felicity knows that this is where she is meant to stay. Felicity feels that this is the home that she has been longing for. Now, how can she convince her mom, who leaves at the slightest hint of a breeze, that this is her last stop? Perhaps what Felicity and the town of Midnight Gulch needs is a snicker of magic.
I truly enjoyed meeting each character in this book. Every one of them has a unique personality and quirk. Despite their individuality, Natalie Lloyd ties each one together in that special way that she does so well. Some connections even took me by surprise.
I like the fact that I couldn’t figure out the whole story on my own. I take guesses and know where things are heading but some turns, I didn’t expect. I am grateful for this. I love reading a book and experiencing the journey with the main character. As Felicity was trying to figure out a story from the past and how it is affecting the present, I was literally travelling on this same journey. A journey of melding the past to the present while deciphering her own feelings about where her heart belongs.
Natalie’s description of Felicity’s surroundings is wonderful. I could breathe in the scents of the flowers and feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. Natalie’s use of words is as beautiful as the mural painted on the building that stands in the middle of Midnight Gulch.
The question is, will they stay, or will they go?
