A Taste of Magic
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that A Taste of Magic is the debut middle-grade novel by New York Times bestselling YA author J. Elle (Wings of Ebony, Ashes of Gold). In this book, the first of a planned series, 12-year-old Kyana learns the family secret that she's a witch and begins six months of mandatory magic school on Saturday mornings. When the school threatens to close due to lack of resources, Kyana attempts to save it. In the process, she learns to bring together her friends, family, and gifts to solve the problem, overcoming setbacks and mistakes along the way.
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What's the Story?
When A TASTE OF MAGIC begins, 12-year-old Kyana learns that she's a witch. She will have to attend a mandatory magic academy for six months to learn to use her powers. In her magic training classes, learns some tricks she hopes can make life a little easier for her single mom, who works multiple jobs. Kyana also makes some new friends, but keeping the secret causes tension with her lifelong best friend, Nae.
Is It Any Good?
Fun and full of surprises, this book gives readers a bewitching experience. In A Taste of Magic by J. Elle (Wings of Ebony, Ashes of Gold), the author creates a fantasy world that's well grounded in the real-life middle school experience. It covers best-friend drama, learning to navigate middle school cliques, struggles with math, and a kid's first inkling of adult problems. A positive feature of this story is its empathy for everyone, including people who are struggling with life difficulties and those who start out as villains.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of heritage in A Taste of Magic What's the most interesting part of your family's heritage? What would you like to learn more about?
How can empathy help you build good relationships? When was a time when understanding another person's feelings helped you handle a situation better?
Talk about the theme of regret in A Taste of Magic. Is there anything you regret doing -- or not doing? What did you learn from that experience? What might you choose to do differently in the future?
Book Details
- Author: J. Elle
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Cooking and Baking, Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Empathy, Humility, Self-control, Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Bloomsbury
- Publication date: August 30, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 11
- Number of pages: 217
- Available on: Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: January 25, 2023
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