For as long as I can remember, I’ve been in love with books that mix the real world with a bit of magic. I remember devouring novels like A Gift of Magic by Lois Duncan and The Secret Garden and imagining what I would do if my life suddenly became a tiny bit magical. When I became an author, it turned out those were also the sorts of stories I most loved telling. I think for me, the fun part is imagining what “everyday magic” would look like and what problems/opportunities it would create in an otherwise ordinary world.
Kate Messner’s story of a girl who catches a magical wish-granting fish beautifully shows the unintended—and often hilarious—consequences that can come from trying to fix problems with magic. But what I most love about this book is how it explores the types of real-world issues, such as addiction, that are hard to fix—with or without magic. This is a story of wishes gone wrong, but it’s also a story about family, healing, and hope.
When Charlie Brennan goes ice fishing on her town's frozen lake, she's hoping the fish she reels in will help pay for her dream: a fancy Irish dancing dress for her upcoming competition. But when Charlie's first catch of the day happens to be a talking fish offering her a wish in exchange for its freedom, her world quickly turns upside down, as her wishes go terribly and hilariously wrong.
Just as Charlie is finally getting the hang of communicating with a magical wishing fish, a family crisis with her older sister brings reality into sharp focus. Charlie quickly learns…
This story of a girl whose goal to win a baking competition is derailed by some mischievous fairies is a delightful blend of humor, adventure, and magical shenanigans. The Shakespeare fans out there will recognize the impish fairies inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and what I particularly enjoy about this book is how the real-world setting makes the fantastical elements feel believable—and makes the magical mischief all the more fun!
A Kirkus Best Book of 2019! An Indies Introduce Selection for 2019! An Indie Next Pick for Summer 2019!
"A delectable treat for food and literary connoisseurs alike." Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW
"What a wonderful, intriguing, and magical book. And wow, did it ever get my tastebuds going! Each time I picked it up, I felt the urge to head to my kitchen. . . . What I loved most was the smartness of it. It never once doubted its young readers." Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor- and National Book Award-Nominated author
"Midsummer's Mayhem is an enchantment of a novel, bursting…
If Groundhog Day-like stories are your preferred type of magic, then this book is for you. This story about two former friends who are forced to relive their birthdays because of a family curse was a huge inspiration to me early on in my writing career. It motivated me to try writing stories that mix reality with magic, and it continues to be one of my absolute favorite middle-grade reads to this day. Not only is it a story about magic gone wrong, but at its core, it’s a story about friendship, family, and second chances.
It's Amanda's 11th birthday and she is super excited-after all, 11 is so different from 10. But from the start, everything goes wrong. The worst part of it all is that she and her best friend, Leo, with whom she's shared every birthday, are on the outs and this will be the first birthday they haven't shared together. When Amanda turns in for the night, glad to have her birthday behind her, she wakes up happy for a new day. Or is it? Her birthday seems to be repeating itself. What is going on?! And how can she fix it?…
More magic and baking? What can I say, it really is a winning combination! Anna Meriano’s charming tale is about a girl who discovers that her family members are brujas—i.e. witches of Mexican ancestry—who infuse the foods in their bakery with magic. When the girl sets out to do magic of her own, what ensues is a heartwarming tale of hijinks, friendship, and family.
"A charming and delectably sweet debut. Mischief, friendship, and a whole lot of heart-Love Sugar Magic has it all." -Zoraida Cordova, award-winning author of the Brooklyn Brujas series.
Leonora Logrono's family owns the most beloved bakery in Rose Hill, Texas, spending their days conjuring delicious cookies and cakes for any occasion. And no occasion is more important than the annual Dia de los Muertos festival.
Leo hopes that this might be the year that she gets to help prepare for the big celebration-but, once again, she is told she's too young. Sneaking out of school and down to the bakery,…
This is probably the most fantastical of the books on this list, but I wanted to include it because it’s one my favorite middle-grade graphic novels and also because I love how the magical and real worlds collide in this story. The main character comes from a magical family in which girls become witches and boys become shapeshifters. Aster dreams of being a witch, even though it goes again his family’s rules. Not only is this a high-stakes adventure, but it’s also a story about family, identity, and redemption.
From the illustrator of the web comic Strong Female Protagonist comes a debut middle-grade graphic novel about family, identity, courage -- and magic.
In thirteen-year-old Aster's family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn't shifted . . . and he's still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be.When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help -- as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical…
Ten-year-old Mira must balance the loyalty she feels toward her family with the desire to be accepted by her new classmates in this powerful coming-of-age story about identity, community, and finding a place to call home—all with a sprinkle of magic.
Since losing his mom, thirteen-year-old Jack Wilson has spent most of his time seeing just how much trouble he can get away with so that he feels like a winner at something. But he takes his mischief too far and is faced with the possibility of unbearable consequences. He knows it’s time to make a big change.
After rediscovering the love of baking he once shared with his mother, Jack is sure that his new sense of purpose will help him stay on the right path, so he throws himself into learning the finer points of sprinkles and scones—and…
After losing his mom, a struggling thirteen-year-old boy in northern Wisconsin rediscovers the love of baking he once shared with her and decides to audition for the world-famous, big-hearted Marvelous Midwest Kids Baking Championship television show in Chicago. Jack is sure that his new sense of purpose will help him stay out of trouble, so he throws himself into learning the finer points of sprinkles and scones -- and hopefully even mending his broken relationship with his dad.
