Sunday Book Talk: A Snicker of Magic

This year, we both read A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd. This middle-grade book is the story of Felicity Pickle, her family, and Midnight Gulch, a town rumored to have once had magic. 

Felicity's mother has a wandering heart, but when they arrive in Midnight Gulch, Felicity dares to hope that perhaps they've finally found a home. With her word-collecting abilities, a new friend, and just a snicker of magic, maybe she can break the curse on the town and convince her mother to stay.

Sarah: The reason for my initial interest in A Snicker of Magic was the cover art. I decided to read it on a whim, and my first impressions did not disappoint. The story and writing style were quaint, and just a little bit quirky. I especially liked the small town setting, and the Southern speech patterns were lots of fun. As someone who has always loved poetic things, I appreciated the beautiful words and the descriptions, which were romantic without being too flowery. The book explores deep themes in a gentle sort of way without talking down to the audience - a feat that many middle-grade authors fail to accomplish. It's always a wonderful surprise when you stumble upon a children's book that can be enjoyed by anyone, and A Snicker of Magic is most certainly one of those rarities. 

Katie: Sarah recommended A Snicker of Magic to me after reading it herself. I checked it out from the library as an audiobook and listened to it on my way to and from school every day. (At that point in the year, I didn't have a car yet. The commute on the city bus was where I got a lot of my reading, writing and daydreaming time in.) I was quickly captivated by this story, its quirky characters, the setting of Midnight Gulch, and the magic woven throughout. The year of 2016 has left me a bit discouraged and a touch more cynical, and this book ended up being one of those "It came to me just when I needed it" scenarios. A Snicker of Magic acknowledges life's difficulties, but it doesn't wallow in them. Rather, it retains a sense of sweetness, optimism, and innocence, culminating in a happy ending. We all need a happy ending once in a while. The reader for the audiobook also deserves a mention, as I really enjoyed listening to her and thought that she did justice to the narration of protagonist Felicity Pickle. I heartily recommend this "spindiddly" story to anyone who enjoys a good middle-grade read.

Let us know if there are any specific books we've read this year that you would like us to cover in a future post! We're considering carrying "Book Talk" into the new year.