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Emma and the Love Spell
Twelve-year-old, Korean American adoptee Emma Davidson has a problem. Two problems. Okay, three:
1. She has a crush on her best friend, Avangeline, that she hasn't been able to share
2. Avangeline now has to move out of their town because her parents are getting a divorce
3. Oh, and Emma is a secret witch who can't really control her powers
It's a complicated summer between sixth and seventh grade. Emma's parents made her promise that she'd keep her powers a secret and never, ever use them. But if Avangeline's parents fell back in love, it would fix everything. And how hard could one little love spell be?
This fast-paced, heartfelt story is a powerful exploration of learning to embrace who you are, even when your true self is different from everyone around you.
1. She has a crush on her best friend, Avangeline, that she hasn't been able to share
2. Avangeline now has to move out of their town because her parents are getting a divorce
3. Oh, and Emma is a secret witch who can't really control her powers
It's a complicated summer between sixth and seventh grade. Emma's parents made her promise that she'd keep her powers a secret and never, ever use them. But if Avangeline's parents fell back in love, it would fix everything. And how hard could one little love spell be?
This fast-paced, heartfelt story is a powerful exploration of learning to embrace who you are, even when your true self is different from everyone around you.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2024
13 people are currently reading
719 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 9, 2025
Unfortunately, this one didn't work as well for me as I wanted. However, it is a solid book that would appeal to some younger readers.
Work Worked: Emma and the Love Spell contains a few great elements. It follows a young witch who is battling with blossoming romantic feelings she has for her best friend Avangeline. When Avangeline is forced to move due to her parents divorce, Emma decides to conduct a love spell that will bring them back together so that Avangeline doesn't have to move. There were moments when Emma wasn't 100 percent a likeable character, but it works because she experiences moments that I think we typically see in kids this age i.e. not wanting to take directions from others/feeling like they have all the answers. The budding romance was also done in a very thoughtful and charming way. Even with complexities of the move impending, it's clear that Avangeline and Emma deeply care for each other. I also enjoyed that there were some discussion about the persecutions of witches and how it impacted their community which directly aligns with Emma's parents' inability to allow her to be her authentic self (she's not allowed to tell anyone that she's a witch).
What Didn't Work: Unfortunately, I think that this book suffered from plot holes and lack of attention to detail in reference to the world building. I wanted just a little bit more explanation behind the magic because Ireland made choices in the beginning of this book that weren't consistent with the end of the book. I definitely understand going for a cozy fantasy/paranormal book that centered the friendship/relationship more; however, I don't think that it should be at the sacrifice of developing a world that makes sense. I also found the pacing to be off at times. There were moments where I felt invested in the story and others where it felt incredibly slow.
Overall, this was a solid read. I'll be interested in checking out some of Ireland's other works.
Work Worked: Emma and the Love Spell contains a few great elements. It follows a young witch who is battling with blossoming romantic feelings she has for her best friend Avangeline. When Avangeline is forced to move due to her parents divorce, Emma decides to conduct a love spell that will bring them back together so that Avangeline doesn't have to move. There were moments when Emma wasn't 100 percent a likeable character, but it works because she experiences moments that I think we typically see in kids this age i.e. not wanting to take directions from others/feeling like they have all the answers. The budding romance was also done in a very thoughtful and charming way. Even with complexities of the move impending, it's clear that Avangeline and Emma deeply care for each other. I also enjoyed that there were some discussion about the persecutions of witches and how it impacted their community which directly aligns with Emma's parents' inability to allow her to be her authentic self (she's not allowed to tell anyone that she's a witch).
What Didn't Work: Unfortunately, I think that this book suffered from plot holes and lack of attention to detail in reference to the world building. I wanted just a little bit more explanation behind the magic because Ireland made choices in the beginning of this book that weren't consistent with the end of the book. I definitely understand going for a cozy fantasy/paranormal book that centered the friendship/relationship more; however, I don't think that it should be at the sacrifice of developing a world that makes sense. I also found the pacing to be off at times. There were moments where I felt invested in the story and others where it felt incredibly slow.
Overall, this was a solid read. I'll be interested in checking out some of Ireland's other works.
September 18, 2024
There aren't many things cuter than a witchy middlegrade, and this was an adorable one, full of heart. It was maybe a little on the short side, even for a middlegrade, which made some things feel a little rushed, but I did enjoy this one and it was fun to read it in one sitting. Plus, I appreciated this being an adoptee story, I feel like there aren't very many of those!
February 11, 2024
A sweet coming of age story about a young girl who has magical powers that she has to keep secret and a best friend who is leaving ... Unless....
I really enjoyed this! I hope there's a second book soon!
I really enjoyed this! I hope there's a second book soon!
Want to read
May 21, 202221.05.2022 middle-grade queer witchy the parent trap, YAY
June 11, 2024
This was such an adorable story. I always love the baby gays especially when magic that goes awry is also at play!
March 12, 2024
A fun coming-of-age story where the main character just happens to be a witch, but adopted into a non-witchy family. Emma wrestles with ethics and the wishes of family and friends as well as her own instincts. There is a bit of a set up for a sequel, which I hope will be written and prove to be equally fun.
May 20, 2025
More of a 3.5 rounded up, but this one was cute!
February 5, 2025
"Emma and the Love Spell" is a sweet, fast-paced contemporary fantasy with just the right mix of magic, friendship, and self-discovery. Emma is a lovable protagonist—flawed, impulsive, and full of heart. Her struggle to accept both her secret witchy powers and her feelings for Avangeline felt authentic, making her a character I wanted to root for, even when she made some… questionable decisions.
That said, I have to side with the cat on this one—there were moments where Emma’s choices felt frustratingly reckless, and the story didn’t always trust the reader to pick up on what was happening without spelling it out. The magical elements were fun, but at times they leaned too much into over-explaining rather than letting the narrative unfold naturally.
Still, the book is well-written and undeniably charming. Emma’s journey of self-acceptance is heartfelt, and her friendship-turned-crush on Avangeline adds a sweet emotional core to the story. A solid 3.5 stars—it’s an enjoyable read, even if some parts could have been handled with a bit more subtlety.
That said, I have to side with the cat on this one—there were moments where Emma’s choices felt frustratingly reckless, and the story didn’t always trust the reader to pick up on what was happening without spelling it out. The magical elements were fun, but at times they leaned too much into over-explaining rather than letting the narrative unfold naturally.
Still, the book is well-written and undeniably charming. Emma’s journey of self-acceptance is heartfelt, and her friendship-turned-crush on Avangeline adds a sweet emotional core to the story. A solid 3.5 stars—it’s an enjoyable read, even if some parts could have been handled with a bit more subtlety.
September 1, 2025
Selling this cover to middle schoolers will be challenging, but the story is fun!
February 9, 2024
When 12 year old Emma moves to a small town where her adoptive parents have inherited a great aunt’s house and shop, she suddenly blossoms out with witch powers that keep getting out of her control. First she causes a violent windstorm, then she makes lightning strike the river. And the little accidents that keep happening in the house pile up fast. Her parents hate to leave her alone in case she burns the place down just by having a flash of anger.
Of course she can’t tell anybody about these weird powers, not even her best friend Lina. And she doesn't dare tell Lina how much she truly cares about her because flowers pop up everywhere when she lets her happy feelings out.
But when Lina drops the bomb that her parents are divorcing and she'll have to move several states away, Emma decides the answer is to learn to control her powers, at least enough to make Avangeline's parents fall in love with each other again.
Emma's opportunity comes when she gets to stay home alone for the weekend. Technically she supposed to stay next door, with the lady who runs the town bakery. But when she's caught doing magic outside her house, things go badly wrong. She'll need all her emotional control and ingenuity to direct her wayward powers, repair the damage done by the love spell, and keep Lina safe through it all.
This is a really charming book, not only for the flowery magic, but through its themes: learning to trust your instincts about good and bad people, finding and losing friends, choosing to do right even when it’s harder than doing the wrong thing would be.
Recommended for any 10 to 12 year old girl who has ever felt like her feelings are too big and dangerous to let out, or that she doesn’t really fit in at school.
Of course she can’t tell anybody about these weird powers, not even her best friend Lina. And she doesn't dare tell Lina how much she truly cares about her because flowers pop up everywhere when she lets her happy feelings out.
But when Lina drops the bomb that her parents are divorcing and she'll have to move several states away, Emma decides the answer is to learn to control her powers, at least enough to make Avangeline's parents fall in love with each other again.
Emma's opportunity comes when she gets to stay home alone for the weekend. Technically she supposed to stay next door, with the lady who runs the town bakery. But when she's caught doing magic outside her house, things go badly wrong. She'll need all her emotional control and ingenuity to direct her wayward powers, repair the damage done by the love spell, and keep Lina safe through it all.
This is a really charming book, not only for the flowery magic, but through its themes: learning to trust your instincts about good and bad people, finding and losing friends, choosing to do right even when it’s harder than doing the wrong thing would be.
Recommended for any 10 to 12 year old girl who has ever felt like her feelings are too big and dangerous to let out, or that she doesn’t really fit in at school.
February 3, 2024
Ever since she was small, Emma has had magic powers. Her adoptive parents always seem scared of them -- or of someone finding out -- and so she keeps them concealed and under control as best as she can. But still, whenever her emotions spiral out of control she is sure to affect the environment around her. Emma, who is Korean American, and her parents have lived in their small town for two years when her best (and only) friend Lina (who she has a major crush on) is moving across the country because her parents are getting a divorce. Though she still doesn't feel in control of her powers, Emma is confident that now is the time to use her powers on purpose -- to get Lina's parents back together.
This is a fun light fantasy for readers who want a little bit of romance in a grounded in reality story. There's a theme of trusting your own intuition throughout that works really nicely, especially when it comes to suspicious adults who want kids to keep secrets. Satisfying, but with an open ending for potential sequels.
This is a fun light fantasy for readers who want a little bit of romance in a grounded in reality story. There's a theme of trusting your own intuition throughout that works really nicely, especially when it comes to suspicious adults who want kids to keep secrets. Satisfying, but with an open ending for potential sequels.
May 22, 2024
7.71/10 4/5 This was fun.
Characters-8
The characters in this book were great. I loved the family and the friendship in the book.
Atmosphere-8
I liked the atmosphere of this book. I really liked the small town vibes because they were similar to my own.
Writing-8
I liked the writing in this book. I thought the writing style made sense for the story.
Plot-7
The story was interesting. I just wish we would have gotten to certain parts sooner. I did enjoy Emma's love for her friend as part of the story though.
Intrigue-7
I was interested in this book.
Logic-8
I could see the logic in this book.
Enjoyment-8
I enjoyed this book. The story was fun and the characters were good.
Characters-8
The characters in this book were great. I loved the family and the friendship in the book.
Atmosphere-8
I liked the atmosphere of this book. I really liked the small town vibes because they were similar to my own.
Writing-8
I liked the writing in this book. I thought the writing style made sense for the story.
Plot-7
The story was interesting. I just wish we would have gotten to certain parts sooner. I did enjoy Emma's love for her friend as part of the story though.
Intrigue-7
I was interested in this book.
Logic-8
I could see the logic in this book.
Enjoyment-8
I enjoyed this book. The story was fun and the characters were good.
September 10, 2025
Emma has discovered she is a witch. When she experiences strong emotions, she causes wicked storms to explode or beautiful flowers to magically sprout. Her parents want her to keep her magic a secret. When her best friend Avangeline announces she’ll be moving away because her parents are divorcing, she vows to learn how to use her magic to find a way to keep her friend (and crush!) from moving away. When she encounters a dark witch, things get even more complicated! A fun middle grade fantasy.
August 1, 2025
I'm a sucker for a middle school read that centers a queer girl. What a great metaphor. The charter is a witch and her parents tell her she can't tell anyone so she feels shame for her powers and hides them from her best friend. At the end of the book she accepts her magical powers and tells her friend who she is. Because we are only as sick as our secrets.
February 16, 2024
4.5 stars rounded down. Sweet, fun, relatable, a good cozy read, but didn’t quite blow me away. I loved it, I did really feel connected to Emma in a way. Like her struggles felt like mine a little. I do feel like it all might have been a little too simple? Good but a quick read.
July 7, 2024
Hooked on concept alone, sold when our heroine defeats the villain by wielding magical wisteria vines 💜
Loved the metaphor of adoption yearning for birth family connections told through magic; where her powers come from, how to control them, etc
Loved the metaphor of adoption yearning for birth family connections told through magic; where her powers come from, how to control them, etc
November 23, 2024
I loved this book so much I can’t even say it in words. There was a lot of detail and depth to the story. Mrs Cornwall being evil is expected but that doesn’t make me love the story any less, we all need a villain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2023
Cute witchy middle grades. Adopted MC. Queer rep. Asian MC. Subtle plot line about unsafe adults. Overall great, well-written kid lit. Realistic fantasy.
March 6, 2024
It's about strong friendship between two friends and how Emmie and her friend save the town 👍
March 25, 2024
Cute middle grade book featuring magic and queer representation 🫶🏻
May 9, 2024
A delightful coming of age story with magic. A reminder that even the tiniest bit of light can overcome the darkest night.
September 21, 2024
Cute middle grade read full of a magic and a little romance
October 20, 2024
Very cute! Love the character development in Emma's feelings about Avangeline moving.
January 28, 2025
This book is so sweet. Definitely a purchasing for my middle school library. My kiddos love a good fantasy witch book.
September 19, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Emma (who was adopted from Korea as an infant) and her parents live in a small, East Coast town that is sort of a budget Salem, Massachusetts. There's a history of witchcraft, and much of the local economy is tied to that past, including the occult themed giftshop the parents run. The family moved to the town a few years ago, when Emma's father's aunt left them the house and shop when she passed away. Emma's father had been a librarian in Boston, but his job was cut, and her mother is a preschool teacher. Once arriving in town, Emma started exhibiting magical abilities, usually tied to emotional highs and lows. When she finds out that her very best friend, Avageline (whom she calls Lina), is going to move to New Orleans because her parents are getting divorced, Emma brews up a storm and rushes home. Her father calms her down with breathing exercises and tea, and reminds her that she needs to stay in control of her magic. The parents are planning a short trip, during which time Emma will stay with neighbor and local baker, Mrs. Cornwall, so they think twice about going. Emma convinces them that these episodes don't happen very often, and that it will be okay. Her plan is to harness her magic to make Lina's parents fall back in love so a move isn't necessary. She's not quite sure how to do this, even though she has the help of Oliver, her great aunt's talking parrott, and Persimmon, a cat who can read minds. After some misplaced anger helps a tree to grow, and Mrs. Cornwall sees it, the two have a talk. Mrs. Cornwall is a witch, and her enchantments are why everyone in town thinks her bakery is fantastic. Emma has always thought it was so-so; this is because it's harder to enchant a fellow witch. Mrs. Cornwall makes Emma feel uneasy, but since she needs help with her plans for Emma's parents, she goes along and helps with the spell. Mrs. Cornwallmakes a cake with a love potion in it for the bake sale Emma is setting up to replicate how Lina's parents met. When Emma starts to realize that Mrs. Cornwall may not have her best interests at heart, will Emma be able to strike out on her own and save her relationship with Lina, whom she begins to realize she likes more than just a friend?
Strengths: Many younger middle school students (myself at that age included!) believe that with just the right circumstances, they would be able to do magic. If that magic could make their best friend not move away, even better! I did enjoy the fact that Lina was not as distraught over the possibility as Emma was, and was willing to make the best of her situation. Middle school is a time when many students have to deal with a divorce, so it was realistic that Lina's parents are shown fighting and sniping at each other. It's also a time when parents start giving children more freedom, and having Mrs. Cornwall watch Emma while her parents traveled made for an interesting interchange. There's a few incantations, spell books, and a family history of magic, as well as some solid attempts by Emma at getting her magic to work. All of these will appeal a lot to nascent witches. Emma and Lina's relationship will also appeal to middle school students who are often experiencing first crushes and romantic relationships.
Weaknesses: I wish that Emma had been an 8th grader; while my 6th graders will pick this up, I'm not sure my older students will. I would have liked the explanation for the family magic a bit earlier in the book, but the target demographic might prefer thinking that magical powers can just sort of happen. They will also enjoy the connection between magical manifestations and emotions more than I did.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Harrison's A Pinch of Magic , Johnson's Ellie Engle Saves Herself, or Royce's Conjure Island. I'll probably buy a copy, but it wasn't my favorite.
Emma (who was adopted from Korea as an infant) and her parents live in a small, East Coast town that is sort of a budget Salem, Massachusetts. There's a history of witchcraft, and much of the local economy is tied to that past, including the occult themed giftshop the parents run. The family moved to the town a few years ago, when Emma's father's aunt left them the house and shop when she passed away. Emma's father had been a librarian in Boston, but his job was cut, and her mother is a preschool teacher. Once arriving in town, Emma started exhibiting magical abilities, usually tied to emotional highs and lows. When she finds out that her very best friend, Avageline (whom she calls Lina), is going to move to New Orleans because her parents are getting divorced, Emma brews up a storm and rushes home. Her father calms her down with breathing exercises and tea, and reminds her that she needs to stay in control of her magic. The parents are planning a short trip, during which time Emma will stay with neighbor and local baker, Mrs. Cornwall, so they think twice about going. Emma convinces them that these episodes don't happen very often, and that it will be okay. Her plan is to harness her magic to make Lina's parents fall back in love so a move isn't necessary. She's not quite sure how to do this, even though she has the help of Oliver, her great aunt's talking parrott, and Persimmon, a cat who can read minds. After some misplaced anger helps a tree to grow, and Mrs. Cornwall sees it, the two have a talk. Mrs. Cornwall is a witch, and her enchantments are why everyone in town thinks her bakery is fantastic. Emma has always thought it was so-so; this is because it's harder to enchant a fellow witch. Mrs. Cornwall makes Emma feel uneasy, but since she needs help with her plans for Emma's parents, she goes along and helps with the spell. Mrs. Cornwallmakes a cake with a love potion in it for the bake sale Emma is setting up to replicate how Lina's parents met. When Emma starts to realize that Mrs. Cornwall may not have her best interests at heart, will Emma be able to strike out on her own and save her relationship with Lina, whom she begins to realize she likes more than just a friend?
Strengths: Many younger middle school students (myself at that age included!) believe that with just the right circumstances, they would be able to do magic. If that magic could make their best friend not move away, even better! I did enjoy the fact that Lina was not as distraught over the possibility as Emma was, and was willing to make the best of her situation. Middle school is a time when many students have to deal with a divorce, so it was realistic that Lina's parents are shown fighting and sniping at each other. It's also a time when parents start giving children more freedom, and having Mrs. Cornwall watch Emma while her parents traveled made for an interesting interchange. There's a few incantations, spell books, and a family history of magic, as well as some solid attempts by Emma at getting her magic to work. All of these will appeal a lot to nascent witches. Emma and Lina's relationship will also appeal to middle school students who are often experiencing first crushes and romantic relationships.
Weaknesses: I wish that Emma had been an 8th grader; while my 6th graders will pick this up, I'm not sure my older students will. I would have liked the explanation for the family magic a bit earlier in the book, but the target demographic might prefer thinking that magical powers can just sort of happen. They will also enjoy the connection between magical manifestations and emotions more than I did.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Harrison's A Pinch of Magic , Johnson's Ellie Engle Saves Herself, or Royce's Conjure Island. I'll probably buy a copy, but it wasn't my favorite.
June 27, 2024
I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous cover art and didn’t even realize that I had selected a perfect read for Pride Month as well! This is a cute, witchy middle-grade appropriate romance with two female main characters, a brainy talking bird and a grumpy mind-ready cat. Also, the main character is adopted and Korean-born as is the author, this doesn’t factor hugely into the narrative but it’s great to see the representation.
There was a lot to love in this book but I also found there to be some plot holes and general writing issues. Minor spoilers ahead. In the beginning, the cat is explicitly stated to not be able to use her voice box and be only a mind-reader/speaker, but by the end she communicates both ways. Also, the spell the binds Emma from speaking about the witch next door is said to be unbreakable, but at the end she talks about her, it’s unclear if this is because everyone involved already knew about the situation. And the scream from inside the witch’s house is never explained, and we never find out what was in the closed rooms.
Other things in the narrative were over-explained/overwritten. Emma is by herself for a lot of the book, it helps that she has animals friends to speak to some of the time, but there are many pages that are just large blocks of description and internal thoughts and the readability is not great for young readers. The pacing is just pretty slow until the very end, it would have been a benefit to get the actual “love spell” bit going a lot faster. None of the adult characters are likeable, but the villain was appropriate and intriguing for the age group.
Emma is a compelling protagonist and the concept is great, but the plot needed tightening and the book could have used more editing.
There was a lot to love in this book but I also found there to be some plot holes and general writing issues. Minor spoilers ahead. In the beginning, the cat is explicitly stated to not be able to use her voice box and be only a mind-reader/speaker, but by the end she communicates both ways. Also, the spell the binds Emma from speaking about the witch next door is said to be unbreakable, but at the end she talks about her, it’s unclear if this is because everyone involved already knew about the situation. And the scream from inside the witch’s house is never explained, and we never find out what was in the closed rooms.
Other things in the narrative were over-explained/overwritten. Emma is by herself for a lot of the book, it helps that she has animals friends to speak to some of the time, but there are many pages that are just large blocks of description and internal thoughts and the readability is not great for young readers. The pacing is just pretty slow until the very end, it would have been a benefit to get the actual “love spell” bit going a lot faster. None of the adult characters are likeable, but the villain was appropriate and intriguing for the age group.
Emma is a compelling protagonist and the concept is great, but the plot needed tightening and the book could have used more editing.
January 28, 2024
A book with a young witch? Yes, please! Emma is a good character who is struggling with her new found magical abilities. Abilities she has not been able to control in the least and which show up at the worst times. Her parents have made her promise not to reveal her "incidents" to anyone, including her best friend Lina. But when she finds out that Lina will be moving away due to her parent's divorce, Emma thinks she might be able to put a stop to that with a little love spell. If only she knew how to do that.
Not only is Emma a witch, she's a gay witch! That is double the love for me. Like many characters with magic, she needs to start fully embracing who she is to really harness her powers, so that makes me frustrated. I was also frustrated by her disregard for her own inner voices that were clearly trying to steer her in the right direction. But that can be explained by her parents insistence that she keep her true self hidden.
Despite those frustrations, I enjoyed the book as well as the blossoming first romance between the girls. The villain is appropriately nasty for a middle grades book, and the amount of magic is not too much for the younger readers in my school.
Not only is Emma a witch, she's a gay witch! That is double the love for me. Like many characters with magic, she needs to start fully embracing who she is to really harness her powers, so that makes me frustrated. I was also frustrated by her disregard for her own inner voices that were clearly trying to steer her in the right direction. But that can be explained by her parents insistence that she keep her true self hidden.
Despite those frustrations, I enjoyed the book as well as the blossoming first romance between the girls. The villain is appropriately nasty for a middle grades book, and the amount of magic is not too much for the younger readers in my school.
Read
November 16, 2024I read this book because it was recommended in a SLJ article on romances for middle schoolers. There was a lot to like about the book--it had a gentle romance (only a kiss on a cheek), it was a coming-of-age story, and it included parents that were well meaning but maybe got some things wrong. All the descriptions of Emma's emotions were also well written.
For me though, the positives did not overcome the problematic portions. The magic system barely scratched the surface. Emma is so powerful because she just is. Every so often, a powerful witch is born. We don't really have a lot to go on here. It would have been nice if Emma could have met a nice witch to help her along.
I also didn't appreciate how the villain was a devout Christian. Maybe the author was trying to show how she seemed nice but really wasn't? I'm not sure. I left feeling like it was stating that church is super boring and not everyone who goes there can be trusted.
The cover art, while charming, is more elementary in nature. I could see younger readers (elementary school and maybe 6th grade) picking this up but not anyone older than that. My middle school readers tend to gravitate to high school characters in their romance novels.
For me though, the positives did not overcome the problematic portions. The magic system barely scratched the surface. Emma is so powerful because she just is. Every so often, a powerful witch is born. We don't really have a lot to go on here. It would have been nice if Emma could have met a nice witch to help her along.
I also didn't appreciate how the villain was a devout Christian. Maybe the author was trying to show how she seemed nice but really wasn't? I'm not sure. I left feeling like it was stating that church is super boring and not everyone who goes there can be trusted.
The cover art, while charming, is more elementary in nature. I could see younger readers (elementary school and maybe 6th grade) picking this up but not anyone older than that. My middle school readers tend to gravitate to high school characters in their romance novels.
December 7, 2025
I discovered this book on this week's wakelet provided by Dr. Quirora. This book has received the RSJ Emma Awards which honors multicultural romances. This book follows Emma, a korean-american witch who has magic that is tied to her emotions. She tries to stop her best friend and secret crush from moving away because of her parent's divorce. She does this by casting a secret love spell on them to reunite them and settle their differences. She does this while also trying to navigate her own feelings. This book portrays themes such as friendship, first love, and embracing one's own true identity. This book writes in poetry verses.
I would recommend this book to grades 5th and up due to the writing style of the book and the complexity of themes portrayed in this book. I would recommend this book during a poetry unit in ELA. Students could read this book as a book club book and discuss the themes they came across in the book and how they interpreted the motives of the main character Emma. Students could also discuss if they feel that the writing style of the book made it easy or more difficult to understand the book as a whole. Students could share their books with different small groups.
December 28, 2023
Emma discovered her powers when her family moved into her great aunt's house. She finds that excess of emotions causes all kinds of things -- anger or fear can cause thunderstorms, happiness can cause an explosive growth of flowers. Her parents are scared of her powers and urge her to hide them, to stop feeling so much, to never tell anyone about this part of her. Emma follows their directions until her best friend announces that her parents are getting divorced and she is moving away. This spurs Emma to try to harness her powers to change the situation. This was very relatable for middle schoolers finding themselves changing and growing in ways their parents might not fully accept, and especially those overwhelmed with big emotions. The magic was great as was Emma's journey of self-discovery. The ending leaves a possibility for a sequel. Recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley & Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley & Edelweiss
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