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One Jar of Magic: An Empowering Fantasy About Identity and Family Expectations for Kids
Magic is like a dream. Delightful. Terrifying. Unreal.
Rose Alice Anders is Little Luck. Lucky to be born into the Anders family. Lucky to be just as special and magical as the most revered man in town—her father. The whole town has been waiting for Rose to turn twelve, when she can join them in their annual capturing of magic on New Year’s Day and become the person she was born to be.
But when that special day finally comes, Rose barely captures one tiny jar of magic. Now Rose’s dad won’t talk to her anymore and her friendships have gotten all twisted and wrong. So when Rose hears whispers that there are people who aren’t meant for magic at all, she begins to wonder if that’s who she belongs with.
Maybe if she’s away from all the magic, away from her dad telling her who she’s meant to be, who she has to be, Rose can begin to piece together what’s truly real in a world full of magic.
Rose Alice Anders is Little Luck. Lucky to be born into the Anders family. Lucky to be just as special and magical as the most revered man in town—her father. The whole town has been waiting for Rose to turn twelve, when she can join them in their annual capturing of magic on New Year’s Day and become the person she was born to be.
But when that special day finally comes, Rose barely captures one tiny jar of magic. Now Rose’s dad won’t talk to her anymore and her friendships have gotten all twisted and wrong. So when Rose hears whispers that there are people who aren’t meant for magic at all, she begins to wonder if that’s who she belongs with.
Maybe if she’s away from all the magic, away from her dad telling her who she’s meant to be, who she has to be, Rose can begin to piece together what’s truly real in a world full of magic.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 9, 2021
47 people are currently reading
7142 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
April 23, 2021
Readers picking up a copy of One Jar of Magic could be excused for assuming, as I did, that it's a pleasant little magical story about a girl who discovers her true self instead of the self her parents expect her to be. What it is, however, is a heartbreaking (and yet somehow beautifully told) story about generational verbal, emotional, and, eventually, physical domestic violence. Readers should be aware that this book may be triggering, particularly to those who have grown up in and lived in homes where abuse is present.
Rose Alice Anders is 12 and will be permitted, for the first time, to gather her own magic at the annual magic gathering ceremony. She is burdened with high expectations because her father, the town's most skillful magic gatherer, has been convinced since her birth that she will be as talented as he is. She is expected to continue his extraordinary and privileged legacy, one that she is so sure of she regularly makes herself obnoxious in the presence of her peers. But Rose's status as the golden child has prevented her from fully understanding the reality of her father's rages, her brother's complicated half-jealous relationship with her, her mother's desperate efforts to continually appease her husband, or the true nature of the town's esteem for her family. When Rose fails to live up to the expectations of her father and community, she begins to realize that what she has always thought about herself, magic, her father, and her community is not the fixed narrative her father has always insisted it is.
Haydu's story, while rooted in fantasy, is remarkable for its extraordinarily accurate depiction of a family, and to some extent an entire community, subject to one man's need to control everything and the violence he deploys to ensure said control. While readers are likely to arrive at the conclusion far earlier than Rose that her father is an abuser, Rose's own awakening is compelling. Her father's violent narcissism is palpable, as is the constantly uncertain terrain his family navigates as they try to keep him perpetually appeased. I read the book in a single sitting and by the later half I didn't need the narrator to note when Rose would experience a sudden chill as her father leapt, lightening fast, from happy to enraged -- I was experiencing the chill myself.
My only complaint is that there is insufficient information conveyed to the reader before reading the novel that this text may be triggering, which may result in unintended harm to readers. While there are resources for abuse victims included at the end, I can't help but wish this theme had been made a little clearer at the outset.
ARC via Netgalley
Rose Alice Anders is 12 and will be permitted, for the first time, to gather her own magic at the annual magic gathering ceremony. She is burdened with high expectations because her father, the town's most skillful magic gatherer, has been convinced since her birth that she will be as talented as he is. She is expected to continue his extraordinary and privileged legacy, one that she is so sure of she regularly makes herself obnoxious in the presence of her peers. But Rose's status as the golden child has prevented her from fully understanding the reality of her father's rages, her brother's complicated half-jealous relationship with her, her mother's desperate efforts to continually appease her husband, or the true nature of the town's esteem for her family. When Rose fails to live up to the expectations of her father and community, she begins to realize that what she has always thought about herself, magic, her father, and her community is not the fixed narrative her father has always insisted it is.
Haydu's story, while rooted in fantasy, is remarkable for its extraordinarily accurate depiction of a family, and to some extent an entire community, subject to one man's need to control everything and the violence he deploys to ensure said control. While readers are likely to arrive at the conclusion far earlier than Rose that her father is an abuser, Rose's own awakening is compelling. Her father's violent narcissism is palpable, as is the constantly uncertain terrain his family navigates as they try to keep him perpetually appeased. I read the book in a single sitting and by the later half I didn't need the narrator to note when Rose would experience a sudden chill as her father leapt, lightening fast, from happy to enraged -- I was experiencing the chill myself.
My only complaint is that there is insufficient information conveyed to the reader before reading the novel that this text may be triggering, which may result in unintended harm to readers. While there are resources for abuse victims included at the end, I can't help but wish this theme had been made a little clearer at the outset.
ARC via Netgalley
February 1, 2021
"Except that's not quite exactly what was wrong to begin with. The thing I'm most scared of in my family was never that they might split up. It's that they might always stay together like this."
"My father is a hundred wonderful things. But he is also a few not-wonderful things."
"Magic can only fix the surface of things. Magic can change what you see, but it can't change anything deep down."
--------------------------------
Imagine your father is one of the most famous magic gatherers in the world and he has high hopes for your first magic gathering. All of your life he has spent preparing you for the glory of this day and your chance to carry on his legacy. He's even given you a nickname, 'Little Luck.' But when that day comes, after the magic has disappeared, you have only gathered only one jar.
This is Rose Alice's fate. Suddenly her life is thrown into turmoil when her father's lifelong dreams for her are not realized. She begins to see how her father has always treated her mother and brother, like an average person not capable of greatness, she sees this because this is now how he treats her.
This story covers some very serious topics around self-esteem and touches on domestic violence. Not the overwhelming domestic violence you think about when you see families on the news but the more subtle type that can be just as dangerous and much easier to hide. The dedication is beautiful: "To everyone who thought they had to be someone better, stronger, faster, more. To everyone who helped them understand they were enough just as they were."
I wish this book was on the shelves when I was Rose's age. It would have helped me understand that my dad's anger and violent outbursts were not my fault. That his expectations for my behavior did not define my worth. This is a great middle grade read with a powerful message. Don't assume by its fun cover that it is just about whimsical magic, there is so much more to the narrative.
Thank you to Katherine Tegen books for an advanced copy and allowing me to read and provide my honest opinion.
"My father is a hundred wonderful things. But he is also a few not-wonderful things."
"Magic can only fix the surface of things. Magic can change what you see, but it can't change anything deep down."
--------------------------------
Imagine your father is one of the most famous magic gatherers in the world and he has high hopes for your first magic gathering. All of your life he has spent preparing you for the glory of this day and your chance to carry on his legacy. He's even given you a nickname, 'Little Luck.' But when that day comes, after the magic has disappeared, you have only gathered only one jar.
This is Rose Alice's fate. Suddenly her life is thrown into turmoil when her father's lifelong dreams for her are not realized. She begins to see how her father has always treated her mother and brother, like an average person not capable of greatness, she sees this because this is now how he treats her.
This story covers some very serious topics around self-esteem and touches on domestic violence. Not the overwhelming domestic violence you think about when you see families on the news but the more subtle type that can be just as dangerous and much easier to hide. The dedication is beautiful: "To everyone who thought they had to be someone better, stronger, faster, more. To everyone who helped them understand they were enough just as they were."
I wish this book was on the shelves when I was Rose's age. It would have helped me understand that my dad's anger and violent outbursts were not my fault. That his expectations for my behavior did not define my worth. This is a great middle grade read with a powerful message. Don't assume by its fun cover that it is just about whimsical magic, there is so much more to the narrative.
Thank you to Katherine Tegen books for an advanced copy and allowing me to read and provide my honest opinion.
January 14, 2021
I loved Haydu's other books but I never found that connection with this one. The magic wasn't really explained and the characters had no depth. The conversations were very stilted between the characters and there was a plethora of run on sentences. Rose was wicked narcissistic and resorted to belittling her teacher and friends just to remind them that her father was a famous magic catcher and soon she would be one too. I understood she received her ego from her father, but her personality was on the extreme side. Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC.
May 5, 2021
The weak world building is only out shown by the extremely distasteful characters. I am never a fan of parables, which is all this felt like in the end.
October 15, 2024
More complex than I expected, and the writing was decent, but nothing earth shattering.
March 17, 2021
Don't be fooled by the magical cover and whimsical writing. While this book may look like something written by Natalie Lloyd or Ingrid Law, it's much more comparable to Snow Lane by Josie Angelini and Forever, or a Long Time by Caela Carter.
September 30, 2021
It's been a long time since I rated any book 1 star.
And don't disagree with me. I'm Esor Serdna, the daughter of the bravest, smartest man alive. So, I must be smart too. Whatever I say, it is fact.
Well, I actually read to the end of this book. It must mean something, rite? At least the writing is easy to follow, and this is the kind of book that you don't have to think too hard to pick up.
Or maybe it isn't.
The book was about a magical world, or at least about a world where magic exists. No, in fact, magic makes up the majority of that world. But the author didn't even spend enough thought to properly build the world. All throughout 300-ish page, I only so far figure out in that world, people capture magic in a jar, and magic is supposed to solve things, but I have no idea how. How exactly do people capture magic? How do they use magic? Are all magic the same? Is the magic-in-the-jar a sort of genie who will follow whatever your instructions?
I don't know, but I'm Esor Serdna, the daughter of the bravest, smartest man alive. I'm magic itself, I'm smart. I know all the answers. If I don't, magic will tell me one day.
Oh but then things didn't happen the way it should. I didn't capture any magic. It must be my dad's fault. Or my mom's. Or my brother's. Definitely not my fault. My friends get more magic than I do. How disgusting! How dare they? I'm Esor Serdna, [...]
But wait, with or without magic, I am still the best person in this world. The world revolves around me. So how about throwing away all the magic so that everyone will be equal with me. Let's dump the magic back into the lake.
Am I allowed near the lake?
Maybe yes.
Or maybe know.
Is magic real?
I think it's a yes. Oh wait, maybe it's a no. Or it's a yes. Or a no.
Oh don't be mad this book could have finished within 150 pages if I don't have second thought every single moment of my life, and I don't repeat stuff like I'm Esor Serdna, the daughter of the bravest, smartest man alive. I'm magic itself, I'm smart. You should be grateful for me.
Anyway, yes, I can't have the magic, so I decided people shouldn't have it too. How smart I am! Yes and because I am that great of a girl, I managed to change the whole town. I transformed lives. I somehow convince people who have no grudge against magic that magic is bad, that they should live a life like me, magic-less. It's not that I'm not obsessed with magic though. I have been, my whole life. But magic didn't choose me. So now I loathe it. And I force people to give up on magic like I did.
I become the hero anyway. Told you, I'm Esor Serdna, the daughter of the bravest, smartest man alive. Or maybe he's not that smart, I think. Cuz he's better at magic than I am, and suddenly ever since I failed at magic I started to think magic is not so cool. So my dad might not be the coolest person ever. Still, I'm the most powerful person, best at many things. I'm sucked at magic, but that's probably magic's fault.
And don't disagree with me. I'm Esor Serdna, the daughter of the bravest, smartest man alive. So, I must be smart too. Whatever I say, it is fact.
Well, I actually read to the end of this book. It must mean something, rite? At least the writing is easy to follow, and this is the kind of book that you don't have to think too hard to pick up.
Or maybe it isn't.
The book was about a magical world, or at least about a world where magic exists. No, in fact, magic makes up the majority of that world. But the author didn't even spend enough thought to properly build the world. All throughout 300-ish page, I only so far figure out in that world, people capture magic in a jar, and magic is supposed to solve things, but I have no idea how. How exactly do people capture magic? How do they use magic? Are all magic the same? Is the magic-in-the-jar a sort of genie who will follow whatever your instructions?
I don't know, but I'm Esor Serdna, the daughter of the bravest, smartest man alive. I'm magic itself, I'm smart. I know all the answers. If I don't, magic will tell me one day.
Oh but then things didn't happen the way it should. I didn't capture any magic. It must be my dad's fault. Or my mom's. Or my brother's. Definitely not my fault. My friends get more magic than I do. How disgusting! How dare they? I'm Esor Serdna, [...]
But wait, with or without magic, I am still the best person in this world. The world revolves around me. So how about throwing away all the magic so that everyone will be equal with me. Let's dump the magic back into the lake.
Am I allowed near the lake?
Maybe yes.
Or maybe know.
Is magic real?
I think it's a yes. Oh wait, maybe it's a no. Or it's a yes. Or a no.
Oh don't be mad this book could have finished within 150 pages if I don't have second thought every single moment of my life, and I don't repeat stuff like I'm Esor Serdna, the daughter of the bravest, smartest man alive. I'm magic itself, I'm smart. You should be grateful for me.
Anyway, yes, I can't have the magic, so I decided people shouldn't have it too. How smart I am! Yes and because I am that great of a girl, I managed to change the whole town. I transformed lives. I somehow convince people who have no grudge against magic that magic is bad, that they should live a life like me, magic-less. It's not that I'm not obsessed with magic though. I have been, my whole life. But magic didn't choose me. So now I loathe it. And I force people to give up on magic like I did.
I become the hero anyway. Told you, I'm Esor Serdna, the daughter of the bravest, smartest man alive. Or maybe he's not that smart, I think. Cuz he's better at magic than I am, and suddenly ever since I failed at magic I started to think magic is not so cool. So my dad might not be the coolest person ever. Still, I'm the most powerful person, best at many things. I'm sucked at magic, but that's probably magic's fault.
May 23, 2021
I read One Jar Of Magic in a sitting yesterday, feeling magical every turn of the page. シ
❝Just because something looks like magic doesn't make it magic. Don't be fooled ❞
Rose was destined to be the town's magic collector, to follow her father's footsteps and to be the person she was meant to be. Born before midnight on New Year's Eve, she is called "Little Luck" by her father and is almost always in the center of attention. Her easy-going, loving brother, Lyle captures medium-sized jars of magic every year and doesn't mind much of his sister's attention.
❝Magic is only like magic. Nothing else like it in the whole world. No way to imitate it. No way to capture it except with your own unmagical hands. No way to create it. The most beautiful thing in the world❞
At the stroke of New Year's Eve, the town citizen's who are 12+ years old collect magic at TooBlue Lake. Some are bubbly, some are golden, some are mystical with red beaming lights of magic. Different in all ways, but still magic. The jars are however, as light as air. They make people's lives easier by erasing tiredness in insomnia temporarily while others have life-lasting effects.
❝ You hear that? The magic is close. The days are dwindling. It's almost time ❞
When the special day comes, though, Rose only collects barely a tiny jar of magic. Now her father stops speaking at her and she is almost non-existence while being discriminated. She finally notices how her narcisstic father treats her family "unworthy for magic" and is not "the best" person in Belling Bright. She realizes some people aren't meant for magic and goes on to discover her real self.
Magical. Powerful. Recommended. Three words for this middle-grade novel. #ownvoices #magic
❝Just because something looks like magic doesn't make it magic. Don't be fooled ❞
Rose was destined to be the town's magic collector, to follow her father's footsteps and to be the person she was meant to be. Born before midnight on New Year's Eve, she is called "Little Luck" by her father and is almost always in the center of attention. Her easy-going, loving brother, Lyle captures medium-sized jars of magic every year and doesn't mind much of his sister's attention.
❝Magic is only like magic. Nothing else like it in the whole world. No way to imitate it. No way to capture it except with your own unmagical hands. No way to create it. The most beautiful thing in the world❞
At the stroke of New Year's Eve, the town citizen's who are 12+ years old collect magic at TooBlue Lake. Some are bubbly, some are golden, some are mystical with red beaming lights of magic. Different in all ways, but still magic. The jars are however, as light as air. They make people's lives easier by erasing tiredness in insomnia temporarily while others have life-lasting effects.
❝ You hear that? The magic is close. The days are dwindling. It's almost time ❞
When the special day comes, though, Rose only collects barely a tiny jar of magic. Now her father stops speaking at her and she is almost non-existence while being discriminated. She finally notices how her narcisstic father treats her family "unworthy for magic" and is not "the best" person in Belling Bright. She realizes some people aren't meant for magic and goes on to discover her real self.
Magical. Powerful. Recommended. Three words for this middle-grade novel. #ownvoices #magic
June 11, 2021
I was caught off guard with this book, and because of the reader I am, I embraced the dissonance. I expected a light, magical, whimsical adventure because I had never heard of the book and picked it based on its cover alone. Whoah! It's not about magic, yet the word magic or magical is probably on every page. It's about abuse, dsyfunctional families, friendship, awakening, middle school, money, unfair parent expectations. In fact, I'd enjoy discussing what "magic" represented in our real world with a group of readers! To me, it was money. It could also have been just any parent fantasy imposed upon their children, like the dream that they become the football star/beauty pageant winner that the parent was or almost was....
I say that I appreciated this because of the reader I am. I personally prefer fiction that has familial turmoil or any other real life problem that kids who live it find underrepresented in fiction. Unlike with Free Lunch, this one does it right and tells readers that they deserve to feel safe at home and what to do about it if they don't, providing the advice to tell a trusted friend or adult and it provides resources. That's how to do it.
The book is a brilliant, gripping, realistic coming of age novel, even though it feels like a parable, and it's important. It's not going to be for everyone. If you want your fiction light and fluffy and shallow, this is not for you. It is not escape fiction. I loved it.
I say that I appreciated this because of the reader I am. I personally prefer fiction that has familial turmoil or any other real life problem that kids who live it find underrepresented in fiction. Unlike with Free Lunch, this one does it right and tells readers that they deserve to feel safe at home and what to do about it if they don't, providing the advice to tell a trusted friend or adult and it provides resources. That's how to do it.
The book is a brilliant, gripping, realistic coming of age novel, even though it feels like a parable, and it's important. It's not going to be for everyone. If you want your fiction light and fluffy and shallow, this is not for you. It is not escape fiction. I loved it.
October 22, 2024
This was quite a bit darker and more poignant than I was expecting. And while I’m sure it would speak to young girls struggling with broken families, and trying to fit into a world that’s impossible for them to fit in to, I also think that this is well enough written that it’s a suitable read for any age. I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to adult readers.
January 21, 2021
A book that will leave you thinking for awhile. This layered story of abuse and having something that is desired by all, is one that will leave readers talking about what it all really means. A good book club choice.
I think this is Haydu’s best writing to date.
I think this is Haydu’s best writing to date.
February 3, 2025
I don’t even know what to rate this. Like, I sped through it, sure, but also this book is a little out of pocket. The first 100 pages are mostly a coming-of-age story about a 12 year old girl in a magical town, and the rest of the book is about domestic violence and child abuse. The topic is handled well in an appropriate way, but I would not have seen it coming with the Webb telescope. Maybe a content warning page or mention of it in the summary would have been nice T-T
February 22, 2021
One Jar of Magic is a beautifully well-written story about not just magic but also family dynamics and abuse. When I began reading this story, I was not aware that it would deal with such heavy content. The author wrapped the abuse in a setting of magical realism and hinted at it rather than exposing in detail. It was a little difficult for me to follow at first, especially because that aspect of the plot was so unexpected for me. I appreciated learning more about Rose's father's back story and Rose's growth in discovering who she is as a person apart from magic and her father. I would recommend this novel for fans of magical realism, though would advise that some of the content may be triggering for readers who may be unsuspecting of the abuse story line.
November 1, 2023
Haydu’s book is fantasy with a important message to readers—You matter, and you matter just the way you are. And you should feel safe in your own home. Not everyone needs to hear those parts of this book, many will simply be drawn into an imaginative story about a town that catches magic in jars to be used all year to make their lives better in a whole lot of little ways. Others will begin to think about how it might feel to be afraid of being hurt by someone in their own family. Still others will know that fear and wonder if they can do something to make it stop. And all of those readers matter...just the way they are. Thanks for the dARC of a wonderful book for grades 4-6, NetGalley.
July 21, 2021
Avoid if you're into books about magic. Recommend if you are looking for books about domestic violence that can educate. I disliked this book but thought the message was good. I think the author could have delivered this with approximately 400 fewer "jars of magic"
November 24, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-arc to review.
I really enjoyed this book. Haydu did such a wonderful job of capturing all of the not-a-little-kid-anymore-but-still-not-really-grown-up-yet feelings of being 12 in Rose. My mama heart just wanted to pick her up and hold her. I feel so bad for her, and I'm so proud of how she grew through the book.
Rose's dad is absolutely awful. TW: He gets what he wants, when he wants it, how he wants it, or he throws an epic, childish fit (at best). Rose several times implies that she and her brother are afraid of him (but only sometimes), and describes in detail how uncomfortable her mother is when he's near her. It's seriously heartbreaking.
Throughout the story, Rose is coming to terms with not quite being who she thought she was, and who she was expected to be. That's tough for anyone, let alone someone with a famous father and who has the expectations of the entire town resting on her. She is very introspective, and aware of how she feels - even if she's not sure exactly what it is she's feeling. Rose has to make a lot of really difficult decisions, and in my opinion, comes out on top. Terrific story. I will definitely be purchasing for my library when it's published.
I really enjoyed this book. Haydu did such a wonderful job of capturing all of the not-a-little-kid-anymore-but-still-not-really-grown-up-yet feelings of being 12 in Rose. My mama heart just wanted to pick her up and hold her. I feel so bad for her, and I'm so proud of how she grew through the book.
Rose's dad is absolutely awful. TW: He gets what he wants, when he wants it, how he wants it, or he throws an epic, childish fit (at best). Rose several times implies that she and her brother are afraid of him (but only sometimes), and describes in detail how uncomfortable her mother is when he's near her. It's seriously heartbreaking.
Throughout the story, Rose is coming to terms with not quite being who she thought she was, and who she was expected to be. That's tough for anyone, let alone someone with a famous father and who has the expectations of the entire town resting on her. She is very introspective, and aware of how she feels - even if she's not sure exactly what it is she's feeling. Rose has to make a lot of really difficult decisions, and in my opinion, comes out on top. Terrific story. I will definitely be purchasing for my library when it's published.
November 27, 2020
There were some fun magical elements to the book - giant bounce houses, lemonade fountains, and pink hair, to name a few, but the book also had much darker themes. Although the dad's abusive tendencies weren't really spelled out, you picked up on more and more of them as the story went. Keeping that in mind I would recommend this more of an Upper MG read and would be aware that the story could be a trigger for some children.
As Rose turns 12 she is finally allowed to capture the magic that everyone believes she is destined for. But it doesn't go the way she expects and she wrestles with feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy. Throughout the story Rose must face the question, is she enough? I think this is a question a lot of kids can relate to, especially as they approach their teenage years and begin to function with more independence away from their parents. Kids will also be able to relate to the friendships in the story.
With thanks to NetGalley and Katherine Tegen Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.
As Rose turns 12 she is finally allowed to capture the magic that everyone believes she is destined for. But it doesn't go the way she expects and she wrestles with feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy. Throughout the story Rose must face the question, is she enough? I think this is a question a lot of kids can relate to, especially as they approach their teenage years and begin to function with more independence away from their parents. Kids will also be able to relate to the friendships in the story.
With thanks to NetGalley and Katherine Tegen Books for an early copy in return for an honest review.
February 13, 2021
First of all, this cover is so colorful and magical in itself! I didn’t know the premise of this one, but it’s very deep. Lots of kids trying to discover that, yes, they are enough just as they are, will relate to this book.
We also all have someone, or sometimes multiple people, in our lives who fit this description.
“My father is a hundred wonderful things, but he is also a few not-wonderful things.”
This dad was a pivotal character; complicated relationship is an understatement. Such a difficult topic, but kids need to know others out there feel this way.
An upper middle grade novel that will be especially good for kids who fit these descriptions.
We also all have someone, or sometimes multiple people, in our lives who fit this description.
“My father is a hundred wonderful things, but he is also a few not-wonderful things.”
This dad was a pivotal character; complicated relationship is an understatement. Such a difficult topic, but kids need to know others out there feel this way.
An upper middle grade novel that will be especially good for kids who fit these descriptions.
June 5, 2022
This is a strange book that supposedly targets young readers, ages 11 on up. I struggled to decide between a 3 or a 4 and ultimately selected 4 as an adult reader. If I was reviewing this for children, maybe a 3 on a good day. Personally, there is no way that this book will attract older elementary/middle school readers. Maybe I'm wrong but.... I don't think so. The writing is great, the main character believable, even the fantastical events are well done yet the underlying tension and ultimate problem in the story may well be missed by young readers. By the author not creating a unity in approach between all aspects of a novel, readers might miss a wonderful story of loss and gains but for those lucky few mature readers, this is a decent story that is great for discussion and thought.
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November 5, 2021Rose is nicknamed Little Luck. New Year's Day is coming and Rose is now twelve so this day is even more special as it will be the first time she can gather magic. Will her luck help her to gather loads of magic like she has been taught to believe? Family secrets are a bound and things are going change in an instant for the whole town. Is magic really as important as everyone has been lead to believe? Does it make things better or maybe contribute to many of the problems the town has?
January 17, 2021
Rose is expected to follow in her father’s footsteps. Magic is his world, but Rose does not hear magic and struggled to collect one jar. Dad is easily angered and Rose so wants to please her father, but is that really the answer. Should Rose live in fear of her father, silencing her thoughts and opinions, walking on eggshells as magic does not seem to make her father better or those around him. Can Rose find power without magic?
June 11, 2021
I didn't love this one. Alice's discomfort with herself made me uncomfortable the whole time I read it. Which is excellent writing, but not the story for me. Also I worry that the descriptions of the father were too vague and cloaked. For grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
January 20, 2023
The whole concept was super fascinating, like a perfect mix of magic and imagination for middle grade readers. I equally loved how she took hard concepts (death, physical abuse, divorce) and put them in language that honors kids and still tells a beautiful story. Boys didn’t like it as much, though.
May 29, 2023
I was really surprised how this book turned out. I went in thinking I was going to get a girl that was finding magic and really turned into a book about how power disrupts an entire family. It was riveting from start to finish and even though it wasn't what I expected, I loved it.
March 13, 2021
4.5 stars
September 11, 2021
This book captures the truth of living in an abusive home. It is a wonderful story of a girl who learns she is enough and has talents not related to magic. Great read. My 10 year old loved it.
November 21, 2021
Whew this was good.
January 16, 2022
Wow. I think I may have already found my favorite book of 2022. Beautifully written, and so poetically thought provoking.
“‘Mad isn’t a forever thing. It’s not even the most powerful thing. It’s just a thing you feel sometimes, before you feel something else.’”
“‘Mad isn’t a forever thing. It’s not even the most powerful thing. It’s just a thing you feel sometimes, before you feel something else.’”
December 31, 2023
This was heartbreaking in so many ways. Really beautifully written story about growing up, how scary it can be, and what happens when your home isn't as safe as it should be. Not what I expected.
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May 16, 2025Dnf’ed 37%
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