A Snicker of Magic (Scholastic Gold)

About this book

Introducing an extraordinary new voice — a magical debut that will make your skin tingle, your eyes glisten . . . and your heart sing.

Midnight Gulch used to be a magical place, a town where people could sing up thunderstorms and dance up sunflowers. But that was long ago, before a curse drove the magic away. Twelve-year-old Felicity knows all about things like that; her nomadic mother is cursed with a wandering heart.

But when she arrives in Midnight Gulch, Felicity thinks her luck's about to change. A "word collector," Felicity sees words everywhere — shining above strangers, tucked into church eves, and tangled up her dog's floppy ears — but Midnight Gulch is the first place she's ever seen the word "home." And then there's Jonah, a mysterious, spiky-haired do-gooder who shimmers with words Felicity's never seen before, words that make Felicity's heart beat a little faster.

Felicity wants to stay in Midnight Gulch more than anything, but first she'll need to figure out how to bring back the magic, breaking the spell that's been cast over the town . . . and her mother's broken heart.

Reviews

Praise for A Snicker of Magic:

* "This tale offers all the other earmarks of fine storytelling, including colorful, eccentric characters, an original, highly likable narrator and a mighty 'spindiddly' plot." —Kirkus, starred review

* "From every angle, Lloyd's first novel sparkles and radiates warmth . . . a reassuring, homespun story about self-expression and the magic that resides in one's mind and heart." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "A delightful and inspiring debut . . . As Felicity loves to say, 'Yes . . . yes . . . yes!'" —School Library Journal, starred review

"...Scrabble lovers, Boggle big leaguers and word people of the world — hang on for the ride! Felicity Pickle will take you places, and that, fellow logophiles, is spindiddly, indeed." —The New York Times Book Review

"First-time novelist Lloyd has produced a 'spindiddly' product that will hearten word and poetry lovers and encourage those who have almost lost hope for a happy ending." —Booklist

"Warm-hearted Felicity Juniper Pickle probably couldn't ignore her vital organ even if she wanted to, given how often it bangs, pounds, kicks and speaks to her in this folksy, Southern-fried debut novel." —The Wall Street Journal