Gi Hallmark | The Children’s Book Review | August 28, 2014
A Snicker of Magic
By Natalie Lloyd
Hardcover: 320 pages
Age Range: 8-12
Publisher: Scholastic Press (February 25, 2014)
ISBN: 978-0-545-55270-7
What to expect: Mystery, Magic, Music, Synesthesia, Family Relationships, Hope, Humor, Friendships
A Snicker of Magic, Natalie Lloyd’s sensational middle grade debut novel, begs to be read aloud and shared with an audience of dreamers. Dreams are made of whimsy, love, and hope and this novel brings those components to life in a 12-year-old girl named Felicity Juniper Pickle. Felicity has the gift of word synesthesia—the unique ability to see words when her senses are stimulated through memory, vision, taste or smell. Her gift, plus her story and the magic of the town, Midnight Gulch, creates a deep story of dreams and the magic that can make dreams come true, for herself, her loved ones, and for Midnight Gulch.
Felicity, her Mama, and her little sister Frannie Jo are involuntary wanderers looking for a place to call home. Their lifestyle creates a temporary life, with no friends, few belongings, and only the ceiling of their car to hang their hearts. Fortunately, they have each other, but their nomadic destiny changes when they roll into Mama’s curious hometown of Midnight Gulch. Here, Felicity finally finds a glimmer of hope that home can exist. Here, she meets amazing people, each with their own rich stories, including a legend that might explain the Pickle’s wandering ways. Felicity and her new best friend Jonah embark on a journey within Midnight Gulch to solve the mystery of the legend and release the curse that has plagued the town.
The magic in this story is grounded in the relatable emotions of the characters, the lessons imparted about kindness, and the power of determination. A Snicker of Magic is about the wants of any human beinghome, love, family, friends, and a little bit of magic to bind it all together. Quirky and heartwarming, funny and endearing, this is a unique story with indelible characters brought to life by Lloyd and her distinct lyrical writing style. Readers of all ages will enjoy A Snicker of Magic and will find themselves under the spell of Felicity Pickle and Midnight Gulch long after the story ends.
Add this book to your collection: A Snicker of Magic
About The Author
Natalie Lloyd lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She collects old books, listens to bluegrass music, and loves exploring quirky mountain towns with her dog, Biscuit. A Snicker of Magic is her first novel.
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A Snicker of Magic, by Natalie Lloyd, was reviewed by Gi Hallmark. Follow along with our Family and Mystery tags to discover more great books just like this one.
