A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd (for ages 8 to 12, Scholastic, February 2014; paperback coming April 2015)
Source: My local library
Synopsis (adapted from the publisher's website): 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, 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.
Why I recommend it: Natalie Lloyd's spindiddly way with words! If I didn't know better, I'd think I was reading a cross between Roald Dahl and Dr. Seuss, with a generous helping of made-up words along with a heaping portion of real words that are both scrumptious and colorful. The quirky characters and marvelous setting are further reasons to fall in love with this imaginative novel. I wish Blackberry Sunrise ice cream really existed (eating it helps you remember). And I wish I had this much imagination.
Why I recommend it: Natalie Lloyd's spindiddly way with words! If I didn't know better, I'd think I was reading a cross between Roald Dahl and Dr. Seuss, with a generous helping of made-up words along with a heaping portion of real words that are both scrumptious and colorful. The quirky characters and marvelous setting are further reasons to fall in love with this imaginative novel. I wish Blackberry Sunrise ice cream really existed (eating it helps you remember). And I wish I had this much imagination.
Bonus: I appreciate that Jonah is in a wheelchair but the author doesn't make a big deal out of it. It's simply the way Jonah is.
My favorite quote: "Sometimes you don't need words to feel better; you just need the nearness of your dog." (from p. 173)
P.S. I hope the typo on p. 229 will be fixed in the paperback. Seriously: "Oliver slammed on the breaks". I guess even the best copy editor can't catch every error and this book with its invented words must have been a real challenge to edit. The publisher's full synopsis also includes a typo ("church eves" -- um, I think you mean eaves). Sorry. Things like that actually bother me...
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Have you read A Snicker of Magic? What did you think?
So glad you really liked this. Me too. It's a fantastic story with great characters and wonderful words.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading about this on your blog, Natalie. Might have been the first place I saw it reviewed.
DeleteLoved this one, too. The cover just screams for it to be read. Makes a great read-aloud, too.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point, Greg.
DeleteI haven't read this yet, but it is high on my TBR list. I am also driven crazy by typos in published books. Thanks for this review.
ReplyDeleteOh good, Rosi. Glad I'm not the only one!
DeleteI couldn't get into this one, but I think it was because I was trying to read too many books at once--always a problem for me. :) But I've been meaning to try it again--thanks for the nudge! I like what you said about Jonah--it's always a plus when authors treats kids with disabilities as normal, regular people.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jenni, I couldn't have read this and another book at the same time. It needs its own space, I think. But I also frequently say that not every book is for every reader.
DeleteReally liked the fun words in this one! But typos bother me, too.
ReplyDeleteHappy to hear it, Andrea. That one seemed so obvious to me, but I also know copy editing is a difficult job.
DeleteI read A Snicker of Magic and absolutely loved it! It is so beautifully written. I loved the made up words too! :) Great review.
ReplyDelete~Jess
Thanks, Jess. Glad to hear you loved it so much!
DeleteOoooh... now I'm hooked! Thanks for the review!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Stella. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteGreat review. My favorite book last year. So magical! Want to read it again.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Patricia!
DeleteI loved the premise, loved the language, was prepared to completely love the story, but then the plot foundered a bit in the middle, I put the book down, it was due at the library, and I never did finish it. I feel badly because in all respects it seemed like a book made for me, but in the end it didn't grab me tightly enough.
ReplyDeleteThat happens, Kim. I could imagine this book isn't for everyone. Thanks for stopping by.
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