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readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved how this book wove everything together in a way that makes sense to young readers - it's complex but accessible. The way the story comes together makes it an extremely satisfying story about friendship that is sure to strike a chord with young readers.
little_hapa_librarian's review against another edition
5.0
Like Magic is one of the best coming-of-age middle grade friendship novels I've had the pleasure of reading! It is deep, emotional, thought-provoking, and inspiring, with a cast of diverse characters that are all multi-faceted and struggling with issues of self worth, friendship, and finding their place in the world. Even though it's a quick read, it packs a punch. Truly a gem!
sallyluvs2read's review against another edition
5.0
I found this to be such a darling read! Three 10 year old girls are ending their summer with huge changes. Grace, who is terribly shy, is dealing with her best friend moving away and starting at a new school. Jada, who still hopes to find her mom, has moved to Utah with her dad and left everything that she knows behind. Malia knows that life will change once her new sister is born and trying to figure out where she belongs in her family. All girls feel horribly alone and friendless.
With the help of a wise librarian and a treasure book, each of the girls take turns, without knowing the other, finding treasures and leaving treasures in the book and returning it to the library only for the next person to find the treasure. Each treasure is special and heartfelt. And seems to found when most needed. Before they know it, these girls don't feel so alone as they did before.
This is such a sweet story of friendship, love, and kindness.
With the help of a wise librarian and a treasure book, each of the girls take turns, without knowing the other, finding treasures and leaving treasures in the book and returning it to the library only for the next person to find the treasure. Each treasure is special and heartfelt. And seems to found when most needed. Before they know it, these girls don't feel so alone as they did before.
This is such a sweet story of friendship, love, and kindness.
rjw2011's review against another edition
4.0
I read this with my 10 year old and I have to say I really enjoyed it! The story goes between three girls, one chapter at a time, on their separate lives and struggles, each girl has something big changing in their life. The one thing they share is Amicitia, the box at the library's lost and found. The secret friendships they build and the ways they unknowingly help each other through hard times with the treasures in the box is so touching. As a librarian it makes me ponder how to start up something similar! I loved the ending, but you'll have to read it to find out how that goes!
gschwabauer's review
3.0
A really sweet story, well woven together. I don't think it will stand out in my memory amidst the many other middle grade novels I'm reading this summer, but it was a worthwhile story, and I'd definitely recommend it to lonely elementary/JH students, especially girls. I really appreciated that the story didn't shy away from issues like severe anxiety, maternal abandonment, and the upheaval an unexpected sibling can create, but also never wallowed in despair or cruelty. A solid read.
slevyyy's review
5.0
A sweet story about three young girls trying to find their way through many of life's troubles. With a wonderful mix of art, music, and poetry throughout, this story shows everyone is going through something and sometimes all you need is hope to push through.
amandarawsonhill's review against another edition
5.0
Simply lovely. A book you want to hug when you finish it.
agettler24's review
4.0
Heartwarming story of three strangers needing to find friendship! Through luck a librarian can sense what they need and finds a way to bring them together!
toad_maiden's review
3.0
This is a sweet little middle-grade book with a lot of heart. I loved certain elements--of course, the nearly magical librarian and secret treasure box in the library. Some of the girls' emotions and, especially, their relationships with their parents were well rendered and complex. However, the girls themselves--especially Jada--felt a little crudely characterized. There's also not a whole little plot to float on, an aspect I don't mind, but may bother other readers.
I also wouldn't have minded a little heavier-hitting treatment of some of the social issues that Vickers skirts around. For example, although Jada (who is black) is clearly unhappy with moving across the country from NYC to Utah, we never see her deal with any of the racial implications of moving to one of the whitest states in America. Vickers avoids this by treating it as an urban/suburban cultural divide, rather than addressing some of the harder (but probably more relatable) problems of race. I understand that she's going for more of a sweet friendship story, but Jada's character ended up feeling a little watered down as a result.
I also wouldn't have minded a little heavier-hitting treatment of some of the social issues that Vickers skirts around. For example, although Jada (who is black) is clearly unhappy with moving across the country from NYC to Utah, we never see her deal with any of the racial implications of moving to one of the whitest states in America. Vickers avoids this by treating it as an urban/suburban cultural divide, rather than addressing some of the harder (but probably more relatable) problems of race. I understand that she's going for more of a sweet friendship story, but Jada's character ended up feeling a little watered down as a result.
katie_bowday's review against another edition
3.0
I cannot even rate this book. Like I liked the story but it had ISSUES like apparently spending the night alone in a library cures paralyzing anxiety and also homeschoolers are just too sad??