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How to Get Magically Popular
A fresh, relatable story with a sprinkling of magic, about a girl who just wants to fit in but her magic powers make her stand out, from award-winning journalist and author Radhika Sanghani. Perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks and Dork Diaries.
Sabina Patel has never been popular. And in her new school, in a new town where she doesn't know anyone, Sabina feels more out of place than ever.
When she accidentally unlocks magic powers and starts to see visions of the future, Sabina worries that she'll be even more unpopular than before. But she quickly becomes one of the most popular girls in school, with everyone desperate for her to predict their test answers, prom dates and class election results.
Then she starts seeing futures she'd rather not know about and Sabina's not sure if she's unlocked a gift or a curse.
A book about learning to be happy in the present, rather than letting the future take over your life.
Praise for Radhika
"The Girl Who Couldn't Lie is sweet and funny and full of heart." The i
"A gem of a book!" Jen Carney, author of The Accidental Diary of B.U.G.
"I can't lie! I loved it!" Maisie Chan, author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths
"Full of heart, totally relatable." Sarah Hagger-Holt, author of The Fights That Make Us
"This is such a gorgeous book! It's full of so many funny moments that young people will relate to." Kimberly Whittam, author of Quiet Storm
"Fresh, funny and original." The Bookseller
Sabina Patel has never been popular. And in her new school, in a new town where she doesn't know anyone, Sabina feels more out of place than ever.
When she accidentally unlocks magic powers and starts to see visions of the future, Sabina worries that she'll be even more unpopular than before. But she quickly becomes one of the most popular girls in school, with everyone desperate for her to predict their test answers, prom dates and class election results.
Then she starts seeing futures she'd rather not know about and Sabina's not sure if she's unlocked a gift or a curse.
A book about learning to be happy in the present, rather than letting the future take over your life.
Praise for Radhika
"The Girl Who Couldn't Lie is sweet and funny and full of heart." The i
"A gem of a book!" Jen Carney, author of The Accidental Diary of B.U.G.
"I can't lie! I loved it!" Maisie Chan, author of Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths
"Full of heart, totally relatable." Sarah Hagger-Holt, author of The Fights That Make Us
"This is such a gorgeous book! It's full of so many funny moments that young people will relate to." Kimberly Whittam, author of Quiet Storm
"Fresh, funny and original." The Bookseller
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2025
6 people want to read
About the author
Radhika Sanghani
12 books265 followersI'm an author, journalist and screenwriter. My latest novel THIRTY THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MYSELF is coming out in January in the UK and US. I've also written two YA novels VIRGIN and NOT THAT EASY.
I'm a freelance journalist for publications like the Telegraph, Daily Mail, Grazia and Glamour. I'm also a body positive campaigner and founded the #sideprofileselfie movement. In my spare time, I also teach yoga and created a volunteer initiative to paint elderly ladies' nails for Age UK.
I'm a freelance journalist for publications like the Telegraph, Daily Mail, Grazia and Glamour. I'm also a body positive campaigner and founded the #sideprofileselfie movement. In my spare time, I also teach yoga and created a volunteer initiative to paint elderly ladies' nails for Age UK.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 1, 2025
Thanks to Jessica at Usborne children books for the copy of this book. I did beg!
I really enjoyed The Girl Who Couldn't Lie and when a sampler of this came it was definitely one I wanted to read all of!
Sabina Patel has moved house and school. Before she at least had Harry and Ria as friends but here there was no one! She definitely wasn't popular and she didn't fit in at all. The popular girls were the Leeshes (or Leeches as Sabina called them) and they don't even know her name - they call her Sabrina!
When the school has a taster Yoga class at the school, the Leeshes assume that because of her Indian heritage Sabina will have done this before but she doesn't think so, until she realises that the stretches and breathing that she has always just done with her mum are in fact yoga and meditation. But something odd happens in the taster class and the teacher, Diva, tells her afterwards that she has a gift. And that by continuing to meditate she will be able to unlock it.
But unlocking this gift causes a lot of problems... Sabina spends to much time thinking about the future and not the present. Friendships become difficult... and demanding. And her relationship with her Mum takes a nosedive. Diva is no help at all simply telling her she must meditate and practice.
But when the gift diminishes things get worse still...
Really good book. Magic, friendships and family all mingled together. Radhika seems to be an amazingly busy woman heaven knows how she has time to write children's books! Will be taking this into school tomorrow, and recommending to the class.
I really enjoyed The Girl Who Couldn't Lie and when a sampler of this came it was definitely one I wanted to read all of!
Sabina Patel has moved house and school. Before she at least had Harry and Ria as friends but here there was no one! She definitely wasn't popular and she didn't fit in at all. The popular girls were the Leeshes (or Leeches as Sabina called them) and they don't even know her name - they call her Sabrina!
When the school has a taster Yoga class at the school, the Leeshes assume that because of her Indian heritage Sabina will have done this before but she doesn't think so, until she realises that the stretches and breathing that she has always just done with her mum are in fact yoga and meditation. But something odd happens in the taster class and the teacher, Diva, tells her afterwards that she has a gift. And that by continuing to meditate she will be able to unlock it.
But unlocking this gift causes a lot of problems... Sabina spends to much time thinking about the future and not the present. Friendships become difficult... and demanding. And her relationship with her Mum takes a nosedive. Diva is no help at all simply telling her she must meditate and practice.
But when the gift diminishes things get worse still...
Really good book. Magic, friendships and family all mingled together. Radhika seems to be an amazingly busy woman heaven knows how she has time to write children's books! Will be taking this into school tomorrow, and recommending to the class.
October 10, 2025
When Sabina moves to a new town with her mum, she really misses her old friends, Harry and Ria, and struggles to make new ones. But when she starts having visions of the future, she catches the attention of the two most popular girls at school. The Leeshes (Alicia & Felicia) appoint themselves as bodyguards to protect Sabina from the overwhelming reaction of the rest of the school, but they have their own agenda - they want her to demonstrate her gift with them in the town talent show. Sabina doesn’t want to draw more attention to herself but when she has a vision of her mum’s business closing down, she realises that the prize money could save the day. But the more Sabina’s tries to control the future, the more she messes things up in the present.
This is a warm, funny and captivating story about being a good friend and learning to live in the moment. Sabina’s power is based on yoga and meditation, a fresh take on middle grade magic, and inspired by the author’s experience as a yoga instructor. ‘How to Get Magically Popular’ is perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks, Dork Diaries and Radhika’s previous novel, ‘The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie.’
This is a warm, funny and captivating story about being a good friend and learning to live in the moment. Sabina’s power is based on yoga and meditation, a fresh take on middle grade magic, and inspired by the author’s experience as a yoga instructor. ‘How to Get Magically Popular’ is perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks, Dork Diaries and Radhika’s previous novel, ‘The Girl Who Couldn’t Lie.’
February 18, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
I thought this was cute, the concept of her magic was interesting and I loved how much she was questioning herself and also making wrong decisions and rushing into things and messing them up.
I liked the message at the end about learning to give up control and it really tied in with her story and how she was unsuccessfully trying to solve her problems.
I do feel like other characters were a bit of a monolith- like her friends just immediately being like yes be friends with Faye! and seeing the future in a way and maybe it’s more the kids being too self aware. Even Sabina seemed a little too aware at times, understanding she was being emotionally blackmailed. The makeup with the Leeshes felt odd in a way like the author was trying to be like “and everyone was friends again” but just something felt off about the pacing of the make up. I liked the pool party that was so cute. Also loved Katniss the cat.
I thought this was cute, the concept of her magic was interesting and I loved how much she was questioning herself and also making wrong decisions and rushing into things and messing them up.
I liked the message at the end about learning to give up control and it really tied in with her story and how she was unsuccessfully trying to solve her problems.
I do feel like other characters were a bit of a monolith- like her friends just immediately being like yes be friends with Faye! and seeing the future in a way and maybe it’s more the kids being too self aware. Even Sabina seemed a little too aware at times, understanding she was being emotionally blackmailed. The makeup with the Leeshes felt odd in a way like the author was trying to be like “and everyone was friends again” but just something felt off about the pacing of the make up. I liked the pool party that was so cute. Also loved Katniss the cat.
January 12, 2026
Sabina is the main character
My favourite part of the book was how Sabina’s friends were always with her and there for her even though they weren’t as close anymore.
The book made me feel a lot of emotions while reading it - it made me happy when Sabina and all her friends had a group hug at the end. But when Sabina was all alone and felt sad I also felt that way while reading it.
I did like the main character because she was really cool especially how she could see the future but she definitely made some wrong decisions.
I think the moral of the story is to always tell the truth, trust your heart and be there for your friends when they need it.
I will definitely tell my friends about the book but I’m not sure if they’ll read it because none of them like reading, they think it’s crazy I do it in my spare time.
My favourite part of the book was how Sabina’s friends were always with her and there for her even though they weren’t as close anymore.
The book made me feel a lot of emotions while reading it - it made me happy when Sabina and all her friends had a group hug at the end. But when Sabina was all alone and felt sad I also felt that way while reading it.
I did like the main character because she was really cool especially how she could see the future but she definitely made some wrong decisions.
I think the moral of the story is to always tell the truth, trust your heart and be there for your friends when they need it.
I will definitely tell my friends about the book but I’m not sure if they’ll read it because none of them like reading, they think it’s crazy I do it in my spare time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2025
Already socially awkward, Sabina Patel is not excited the prospect of fitting into a new educational set up after they move to a new place. Things are not made any easier by her realisation that her newly discovered magical powers are most definitely a double-edged sword...
This is a charming story about growing up, fitting in and realising that the present is really all you have any influence over. It is likely to be a hit with the target audience and gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This is a charming story about growing up, fitting in and realising that the present is really all you have any influence over. It is likely to be a hit with the target audience and gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
July 5, 2025
This was a fun, ultimately fairly predictable, story that will appeal to Middle Grade readers.
Sabina has moved to a new school in a new town and doesn't have any friends. When she suddenly discovers that she has magical powers, and experiences visions of the future, she is equally suddenly befriended by some of the most popular girls in school. But are they really her friends? And is seeing the future always a good thing?
The ideas of meditation and chakras will appeal to many but didn't really work for me. The 'morals' of being true to yourself and the importance of honesty and true friendship are valuable but the message felt quite predictable, despite the more original context in which these were set.
Grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC.
Sabina has moved to a new school in a new town and doesn't have any friends. When she suddenly discovers that she has magical powers, and experiences visions of the future, she is equally suddenly befriended by some of the most popular girls in school. But are they really her friends? And is seeing the future always a good thing?
The ideas of meditation and chakras will appeal to many but didn't really work for me. The 'morals' of being true to yourself and the importance of honesty and true friendship are valuable but the message felt quite predictable, despite the more original context in which these were set.
Grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC.
September 7, 2025
Sabina Patel has always had her two best friends, Harry and Ria, by her side at school to keep her company, but all this goes away when her mum gets a new job and they have to move. So she ends up at an all-girls school and suddenly goes from two friends to no friends.
However, things take an unbelievable turn, when a yoga class inadvertently unleashes her super chakra powers. Her new powers mean she can see the future, and when the two most popular girls, The Leeshes (Alicia and Felicia) discover her new powers they use this to their advantage.
This means that Sabina is just as popular as the Leeshes! What could go wrong?? Well a lot apparently!
This is a YA book, targeted to 9+ years and I really wish I had a book like this growing up! I felt so seen and related so much to Sabina and her struggles. I never was popular and only one of a handful of Asian girls in my class, at an all-girls school. Unfortunately, I didn't have yoga lessons to unlock my hidden superpowers...but I have still have time for them to kick in 😅😂
I found this story fun, relatable, full of heart and magic and would recommend it to anyone who is up for a bit of fun! Mean Girl meets Never Have I Ever but for younger kids, would else could you ask for?
I will definitely be keeping this as a suggestion for any future kids I may have 🙏🏽 That is why this post is covered in pictures of a younger me. That Nim would love a book like this, and I'm glad its finally here for other girls who look like me.
Favourite quote(s):
"Seeing as she was also just one of five girls of coulour in her year - and the only Indian girl - it meant that Sabina stood out a mile off."
However, things take an unbelievable turn, when a yoga class inadvertently unleashes her super chakra powers. Her new powers mean she can see the future, and when the two most popular girls, The Leeshes (Alicia and Felicia) discover her new powers they use this to their advantage.
This means that Sabina is just as popular as the Leeshes! What could go wrong?? Well a lot apparently!
This is a YA book, targeted to 9+ years and I really wish I had a book like this growing up! I felt so seen and related so much to Sabina and her struggles. I never was popular and only one of a handful of Asian girls in my class, at an all-girls school. Unfortunately, I didn't have yoga lessons to unlock my hidden superpowers...but I have still have time for them to kick in 😅😂
I found this story fun, relatable, full of heart and magic and would recommend it to anyone who is up for a bit of fun! Mean Girl meets Never Have I Ever but for younger kids, would else could you ask for?
I will definitely be keeping this as a suggestion for any future kids I may have 🙏🏽 That is why this post is covered in pictures of a younger me. That Nim would love a book like this, and I'm glad its finally here for other girls who look like me.
Favourite quote(s):
"Seeing as she was also just one of five girls of coulour in her year - and the only Indian girl - it meant that Sabina stood out a mile off."
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews