A Snicker of Magic

by Natalie Lloyd Narrated by Cassandra Morris

Overview

NARRATOR: Cassandra Morris

FORMAT: Unabridged



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.

Editorial Reviews

The New York Times Book Review - Elisabeth Egan

…whimsical and bewitching…Thankfully, this is not one of those books where all roads lead to one triumphant and redemptive moment. Lloyd's story takes many unexpected twists and turns…A Snicker of Magic covers wholesome, warm-fuzzy territory in a quirky, cheerful way. It should be read aloud for maximum enjoyment, with a pen handy to jot down new words…Young spelling enthusiasts, 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.

Publishers Weekly

★ 01/13/2014
From every angle, Lloyd’s first novel sparkles and radiates warmth. Felicity Juniper Pickle, 12, feels an immediate kinship with the town of Midnight Gulch, Tenn., the latest place her itinerant mother has brought Felicity, her almost-six-year-old sister, Frannie Jo, and their dog Biscuit. The remote mountain town has a history interwoven with secret magic, but most of it seems to have evaporated years ago following a dual between a pair of famous magician brothers, which divided a family and resulted in a curse. Felicity’s immediate concerns lay with her mother’s sadness and her insistence on constantly uprooting the family. With the help of Felicity’s new friend Jonah, who has his own secret magic that he works on Midnight Gulch; the stories that Felicity collects from various townspeople; and Felicity’s ability to see words that reflect people’s hidden thoughts and desires) she tries to save both the town and her own family. Working in the folksy vein of Ingrid Law’s Savvy, Lloyd offers a reassuring, homespun story about self-expression and the magic that resides in one’s mind and heart. Ages 8–12. Agent: Suzie Townsend, New Leaf Literary & Media. (Mar.)

From the Publisher

Praise for A Snicker of Magic * "This tale offers all [the] earmarks of fine storytelling, including colorful, eccentric characters, an original, highly likable narrator and a mighty "spindiddly"plot." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "From every angle, Lloyd's first novel sparkles and radiates warmth . . . Working in the folksy vein of Ingrid Law's Savvy, Lloyd offers 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 . . . Mibs Beaumont and her magically gifted clan from Ingrid Law's Savvy would feel right at home here. As Felicity loves to say, "Yes...yes...yes!" — School Library Journal, starred review

School Library Journal - Audio

06/01/2014
Gr 3–7—Twelve-year-old Felicity is tired of driving all over the country with her mother and younger sister, Frannie Jo. So when Mama drives into her hometown of Midnight Gulch, TN, Felicity hopes to be able to put down some roots of her own. Midnight Gulch has a magical history, and Felicity loves hearing stories about its former residents, including two musician brothers whose jealous duel resulted in a curse that split their family apart. A modern-day talent show duel at her school gives Felicity the chance to showcase a magical talent of her own: word collecting. But first, she must figure out how to get over her stage fright and make her words come out sounding right. Narrator Cassandra Morris's words flow beautifully and she does a phenomenal job of bringing this enchanting story to life. Listeners will love getting to know the town's colorful residents and following Felicity's adventures as she tries to break the age-old curse and find a home she can call her own.—Anne Bozievich, Friendship Elementary School, Glen Rock, PA

APRIL 2014 - AudioFile

Cassandra Morris is the ideal narrator for an enchanting tale that abounds with "storytellers" of all ages. Midnight Gulch, Tennessee, is the latest home for Felicity Juniper Pickle, her wandering mother, her little sister, and their old van, which is called “Pickled Jalapeno.” Morris captures Felicity, who has the gift of seeing words shimmer above people, places, and things and enjoys verbally sharing her unusual skill. Diverse characters are enhanced by Morris, including crotchety old ladies; bossy, chain-smoking Aunt Cleo; and Felicity’s very first friend, wheelchair user Jonah, who endlessly spreads joy to others. This story of magical realism is a rare treat that expresses a deep love of words and books. It’s a perfect diversion from technologically oriented entertainments. S.G.B. 2015 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2013-11-20
The protagonist of this debut joins a growing list of endearing young girls from the South, and it's an extra bonus that her new best friend and mentor is a boy whose method of transportation, without fanfare, just happens to be a wheelchair. Felicity Juniper Pickle, her little sister, Frannie Jo, and their dog, Biscuit, have once again been moved by their mother to a new town. This time they are moving in with Mama's sister in Mama's old hometown, Midnight Gulch, Tenn., which used to be renowned for its magic--the kind where people could "sing up thunderstorms and…dance up sunflowers." Felicity, who has an uncanny ability for seeing and using written words but suffers from stage fright, wants to stay in Midnight Gulch. Her new friend, Jonah, with whom she performs anonymous acts of kindness, persuades Felicity to enter the Duel--a talent show in which her "weapon" will be her words. As the Duel approaches, Felicity and Jonah find themselves caught up in figuring out how to return the town's magic and to reverse a curse from Felicity's "balloon-riding, globe-trotting, curse-bearing great-great-grandfather" (surely homage to Holes). Although pacing is sometimes difficult, this tale offers all the other earmarks of fine storytelling, including colorful, eccentric characters, an original, highly likable narrator and a mighty "spindiddly" plot. (Fantasy. 8-13)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170507078
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	02/25/2014
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Read an Excerpt

From A Snicker of Magic

Mama slowed the van and leaned her arm across me. "Take a look, June Bug. We're here." She pointed to a sign that somebody'd painted up and shoved sideways into the hillside. A flickering spotlight shone up at the words:

Midnight Gulch, Tennessee

A Proper Place to Call Home

"Used to read different, before they painted over it," Mama said. "It used to say—"

"A magical place to call home." I whispered. I didn't need her to tell me. I could already see the word, MAGICAL, shining as bright as sunshine-letters, even through all those layers of paint. I could see other words too. The stars above us spelled out:

summer

wonder

homespun

I heard a poem tangled up inside a rush of the midnight songs the crickets were whistling:

Finally,

At last,

Forever, and now,

Here you are.

I didn't say another word to Mama that night, but I could feel something good even then: the YES in my heart, the swirling-around in my belly, the prickly, tingling all the way from the freckle on my finger to the tip of my pinky-toe. That much wonderful could only mean one thing.

There was still magic in Midnight Gulch.

This is how I turned it loose . . .

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