Just a Pinch of Magic
- Subject
- Fantasy & Magic
- Age
- 6-8 years
- Format
- Hardcover
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- Feiwel & Friends
- Size
- 14.3 cm Ă 21.7 cm
- ISBN
- 9781250829115
Just a Pinch of Magic, Alechia Dow's middle-grade debut, is as warm and sweet as a cinnamon bun, bursting with magic and sure to please the pickiest readers.
Wini's family of enchanters runs a little bakery, but with the prices of magical ingredients skyrocketing, they're going under. Desperate to save her family's business, Wini takes a risk by casting a (sort of illegal) spell that would allow them to gather their own supply of their most needed magical ingredient: Love. But the spell doesn't work. And Wini soon discovers that it didn't just not work, it backfired. Badly. Now the whole town is in danger, and the Enchantment Agency is sniffing around for whoever cast the wayward spell.
It's just been Kal and her dad for as long as she can remember. They've weathered everything together, including Kal's mental health struggles. But just as they're about to move to a new town for a fresh start, Kal's grandfatherâwho mysteriously vanished years agoâhas suddenly reentered their lives with a desire to make amends. He joins them in opening their bookstore in the new town, but Kal can't help but wonder if he has anything to do with the whispers around her new home about wicked magic. And it's not just the whispers of the magical books in their shop.
When Wini and Kal cross pathsâboth hoping for the chance to finally make a friend without worrying about their family histories following themâthe girls bond over being fellow outcasts. Together they search for the solution to fixing the magic gone awry in their beloved townâand just maybe get their dads to go out on a date.
Includes five recipes!
Praise for Just a Pinch of Magic:
"Just a Pinch of Magic provides more than a pinch of fun. This delightful middle-grade debut is full of friendship, adventure, magicâand recipes!" âJanae Marks, New York Times-bestselling author of On Air with Zoe Washington
Data provided by BiblioShare.
What reviewers said
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2023
An Ignyte Award Finalist for Outstanding Middle Grade
A Mythopoeic Fiction Award for Childrenâs Literature Finalist
"Just a Pinch of Magic provides more than a pinch of fun. This delightful middle-grade debut is full of friendship, adventure, magicâand recipes!"
"Dow delivers a magical story about family, friendship, and love that is both beguiling and surprising. An unforgettably rendered magical world paired with delicious descriptions of impeccable baked goods will leave readers wanting more."
"Brimming with magicâand enticing recipes for readers to try. ... Superb worldbuilding and the authentic dialogue between the quirky, beguiling characters will draw readers in, while the heart-pounding tension and strong pacing will lead them to the satisfying conclusion. ... An enchanting tale of love."
"Through an otherworldly setting, Dow explores themes of discrimination and judgment. Like a fine confection, the story includes enough brininess to offset the sugar, creating a satisfyingly piquant dish to appeal to both baking and magic enthusiasts."
"A sweet and satisfying modern fantasy novel ... Dow gives us the action and thrill of classic fantasy tales, with magical objects, haunted woods, and evil ghosts, but also looks thoughtfully at each girlâs struggle to find her place, weaving in a powerful but not pedantic theme about the power of love and family. ... A tasty treat."
