Marigold Star

by Elise Primavera

From New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Elise Primavera comes an imaginative young middle grade fantasy adventure bubbling with wit and whimsy.

Marigold Star is destined for greatness. Everyone in Bramblycrumbly thinks so, her parents and pet dragon included. There’s just one problem. Marigold can’t do magic!

Then one day she tries a new spell written in a very old book. It’s called the Invis-O-Friend Spell, and it makes Marigold invisible to all but the friend who needs her most. To Marigold’s surprise, the spell works!

But now there’s another problem. The spell sent Marigold to the human world. And to return home, she’ll have to befriend a host of human children who are struggling to make friends. Marigold will have to hurry, or the line between her magical world and the human one might crumble until she has no home left to go back to.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Friendship, Childrens, Juvenile

256 pages, ebook

First published June 18, 2019

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not fall in love with a story about a girl with a star blinking over head, a pet dragon, a knitting troll, a book of spells, Candyland, and so much more? This book is packed with people and places as well as experiences that will speak to young readers and celebrates the gift of friendship. The ending is well worth the journey. Would also make a really great classroom read aloud.

A big thank you to HarperCollins for a digital ARC of this new middle grade fantasy in exchange for an honest review.

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for Marigold Star!!! A beautiful lesson wrapped up in Marigold’s quest to find her purpose. I loved the symbolism of her blinking light and how she figures out her special powers.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this charming story.
Primavera has created a world where magic is commonplace - except for her main character, Marigold Star. She struggles with the simplest spells and something goes awry every time she tries to master magic. Everyone knows she's marked for greatness as she has a star over her head. Through trial and error, help from new friends, and finally believing in herself, she masters her magic wand and her fear of flying. She also figures out her great magic power - being an imaginary friend.
Middle grade readers will relate to the trials involved in figuring out who you are and who you want to be.
Delightful characters of various species - flower creatures, ghosts, shadows, humans, vegetable creatures, trolls, animals, etc. Reference to learning about each other and getting along work in all relationships.
The illustrations add to the story and provide a visual glimpse into Marigold's various worlds.
Hopeful the hints of future events mean this is the first in a series about Marigold and her world.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Marigold, a kindhearted fairy from the magical town of Bramblycrumbly, can't find her special power. The quirky characters in this ingenious tale including fairies, goblins, trolls, dragons, ghosts, and shadow children to name a few, are all a part of Marigold's quest to discover her strength, AND save Bramblycrumbly. One of my favorite characters is her wise Granny Cabbage, who is just that a cabbage, yet the portrait of her cabbage self is superb, as well as the way she shares succinct tidbits of advice to support Marigold in her challenges. Readers will root for her survival against the many dangerous obstacles she faces in the other worldly realm and beyond. Elise Primavera's whimsically imaginative illustrations of magical creatures, and scenery, give this delightful tale of the power of friendship a refreshing classic feel.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Smith Publicity for sending me a copy of Marigold Star by Elise Primavera for an honest review. Aimed for middle grade readers 7-14, this book is such a sweet and lovely read that would be perfect for the whole family.

Marigold Star is a young witch born with a star over her head which she has been told her whole life marks her for greatness. So when Marigold has trouble with even the most basic spells, she feels lost. What if the star is wrong? What is her great power? Filled with magic creatures and lots of life lessons, Marigold Star is a fun light read about friendship, bravery, and finding your way. I would recommend this read to the lower end of middle grade readers, 7-10.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for cuteness!

[Karen McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute book with a fairy-tale feeling to it. Marigold was born with a glowing star above her head, which everyone says means she is destined for greatness. The only problem is that Marigold can't even manage the simplest magic spells. When her star starts blinking, Marigold is determined to master the Invisibility spell, but accidentally makes her wand disappear instead. What ensues is a magical adventure into the human world. Marigold is tasked to make friends with the most unlikely of children or her world will crumble. What I liked about this story is that the ages of the children aren't specified or attached to a specific grade, making this fantasy adventure one that students of many ages and reading levels will enjoy. It has some great messages about friendship, selflessness, and family. This would make a fun read aloud for primary grades and is a nice bridge between early chapter books and middle grade books. #LitReviewCrew

[Leah Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marigold Star lives in Brambycrumbly and is struggling with five problems. One of which is not knowing what her special power is, even though she has a bright glowing star above her head which she’s told means she is marked for greatness.

The one thing Marigold Star excels at is being a wonderful friend. She shows us how powerful friendship can be both in Brambycrumbly and the human world where she finds herself stuck. In order to get back she must put her faith in her new fiends and herself.

This is a magical story. I love the characters in both worlds (Baddy Longlegs and Granny Cabbage are my favorite characters). This is a great story for elementary school aged children to show them the importance of friendship and being true to who you are.

Thank you to Smith Publicity, Elise Primavera and Harper Collins for sending me an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh sometimes small things in books are just so important and affect how we view the entire work. While I really liked this book, I found myself shocked by Elise Primavera's description of the troublesome "Brownies", little creatures that steal magical wands. I have to assume that Primavera naively included this reference not recognizing she was perpetuating the racist concept that white is good and dark is bad. Racism is so inherent in so much of what we do, say, and write, and children absorb this from such a young age. Was this book fun to read? Yes, but the author and publisher should have been more thorough in their editing to insure the book was more inclusive and did not perpetuate racist stereotypes.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marigold Star lives in a magical community. She even has a star that glows above her head. Her parents say it means she's destined for great things, but she's having problems. Her magical abilities seem nonexistent. She can't fly, and can't even do the invisibility spell. Is her wand defective? Then there's her new little sister who seems to be taking up all her parents' attention. In a quest to discover her magic she ends up in the human world, trying to get her wand back and bringing friendship to friendless children...and others. This is a sweet and bouncy fantasy book appropriate for 3rd and 4th graders.

[Anastasia Hanneken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute fantasy. Loved the friendship theme of this book.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Wolfie Smoke]

Gave up on page 50.

The Illustrations: Wow!
The Writing: Wow...

[Sarai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marigold Star was not perfect by any means, but it was very sweet. I found it a little hard to connect with the story, and I think it was a touch juvenile for the intended audience, but it had a good message and might delight readers who are not quite ready for the darkness that is fantasy in most middle grade books

[Nathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual; 3.5

[William Diehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story about a little girl who is learning about herself and life. The story weaves in lessons about determination, friendship and exploration. Children will find this book enjoyable and fun to read. Marigold has a pet dragon, and seeks out advice and guidance from lots of interesting and unique characters.