Once upon a time, in a small village nestled among rolling hills, there lived a young girl named Lily. She had always dreamt of a life filled with excitement and wonder, envisioning a future far beyond the mundane routines of village life. Every night, she would gaze up at the stars and wish for something extraordinary to happen in her life. One fateful day, as Lily was exploring the woods on the outskirts of the village, she stumbled upon a hidden grove. Intrigued by the mysterious aura surrounding it, she cautiously made her way inside. To her astonishment, she discovered an old oak tree nestled within the grove, its trunk emanating a soft glow.
To her astonishment, she discovered an old oak tree nestled within the grove, its trunk emanating a soft glow. Without hesitation, Lily approached the magical tree and placed her hand upon its trunk. Suddenly, she felt a surge of energy coursing through her veins, as though the tree itself was granting her a wish.
The Magic in Changing Your Stars
Eleven-year-old Ailey Benjamin Lane can dance—so he’s certain that he'll land the role of the Scarecrow in his school’s production of The Wiz. Unfortunately, a talented classmate and a serious attack of nerves derail his audition: he just stands there, frozen. Deflated and defeated, Ailey confides in his Grampa that he’s ready to quit. But Grampa believes in Ailey, and, to encourage him, shares a childhood story. As a boy, Grampa dreamed of becoming a tap dancer; he was so good that the Hollywood star and unofficial Mayor of Harlem, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, even gave him a special pair of tap shoes. Curious, Ailey finds the shoes, tries them on, taps his toes, and makes a wish. In the blink of an eye, he finds himself somewhere that if most definitely no place like home! Featuring an all-African-American cast of characters, and infused with references to black culture and history, this work of magical realism is sure to captivate and inspire readers.
PRAISE
“Ailey Benjamin Lane can dance outta this world and even drop a dope rhyme, but he struggles to perform his best under the spotlight. Henderson’s characters have such powerful names, evoking a legacy of Black excellence that dovetails triumphantly with this story of facing regrets and achieving redemption. (A list of these names is appended.) . . . Black excellence, Black fantastic, and Black family combine for a transformational story of passion and persistence.” — Kirkus (Starred review)
"Henderson weaves magical realism and historical fiction together, offering hard lessons about trying and grit, alongside overwhelming love of family, a lot of laughs, and a ‘smidgen of magic.’ ” — Booklist (Starred review)
"A fast-paced story about family, bravery, and the arts, this story will have readers wanting to visit Harlem and tap alongside Ailey, Grampa, and Bojangles himself."— School Library Journal (Starred review)
“The Magic in Changing Your Stars is an enchanting story of a boy whose dream of becoming a star will take readers on a most wonderfully magical journey—a heartfelt tribute to legendary African American performers and their place among the stars.” —Ibi Zoboi, New York Times bestselling author of My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich
"The value of family, perseverance, and believing in oneself takes center stage in this bighearted multigenerational story tinged with enchantment."— Publisher's Weekly
“Leah Henderson brings heartfelt magic to this culturally rich journey of hope, self-discovery and familial love.” —Rita Williams Garcia, New York Times best-selling author of the Gaither Sisters trilogy
"This story is family, and time-travel, plus Harlem, plus tap (and rap), with a dash of The Wiz. Come and get it." —Newbery Medalist Rebecca Stead, author of When You Reach Me and The List of Things That Will Not Change -
PRAISE
"A fast-paced story about family, bravery, and the arts, this story will have readers wanting to visit Harlem and tap alongside Ailey, Grampa, and Bojangles himself."– School Library Journal , starred review
“Ailey Benjamin Lane can dance outta this world and even drop a dope rhyme, but he struggles to perform his best under the spotlight. Henderson’s characters have such powerful names, evoking a legacy of black excellence that dovetails triumphantly with this story of facing regrets and achieving redemption. (A list of these names is appended.) . . . Black excellence, black fantastic, and black family combine for a transformational story of passion and persistence.” — Kirkus , starred review
“ The Magic in Changing Your Stars is an enchanting story of a boy whose dream of becoming a star will take readers on a most wonderfully magical journey—a heartfelt tribute to legendary African American performers and their place among the stars.” —Ibi Zoboi, New York Times bestselling author of My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich
"The value of family, perseverance, and believing in oneself takes center stage in this bighearted multigenerational story tinged with enchantment."— Publisher's Weekly
"Henderson weaves magical realism and historical fiction together, offering hard lessons about trying and grit, alongside overwhelming love of family, a lot of laughs, and a ‘smidgen of magic.’ ” — Booklist, starred review
“Leah Henderson brings heartfelt magic to this culturally rich journey of hope, self-discovery and familial love.” —Rita Williams Garcia, New York Times best-selling author of the Gaither Sisters trilogy
and time-travel, plus Harlem, plus tap (and rap), with a dash of The Wiz.
Come and get it. —Newbery Medalist Rebecca Stead, author of When You Reach Me and The List of Things That Will Not Change
ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)
Leah Henderson tells stirring stories featuring black heroes and heroines. She is the author of the middle-grade novel, One Shadow on the Wall , and her short story will be included in the YA anthology, Black Enough: Stories in Black Teenhood in America . She lives in Washington, DC. Find Leah on Twitter @LeahsMark and on her website at leahhendersonbooks.com.
Pub Date: 8/4/2020
ISBN: 9781454934066
Price: $16.95 / $22.95 CAN
Format: Hardcover, Jacketed
Pages: 304 pages, b-w illus throughout
Trim: 5.12 x 7.62 x 0 Inches
Territories: World
Age Range: 8 to 12
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Copyright © Union Square & Co., LLC. A subsidiary of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
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“Ailey Benjamin Lane can dance outta this world and even drop a dope rhyme, but he struggles to perform his best under the spotlight. Henderson’s characters have such powerful names, evoking a legacy of Black excellence that dovetails triumphantly with this story of facing regrets and achieving redemption. (A list of these names is appended.) . . . Black excellence, Black fantastic, and Black family combine for a transformational story of passion and persistence.” — Kirkus (Starred review)
Overwhelmed by the possibilities, she closed her eyes and whispered, "I wish for a magical life story change." In that moment, the grove shimmered with enchantment, and everything around Lily began to transform. The village she had known her whole life vanished, replaced by a bustling city filled with towering skyscrapers and bustling streets. Lily's simple peasant dress transformed into an elegant gown, befitting a princess. She had been transported to a completely different world, one beyond her wildest imaginings. As she explored the new city, Lily found that she possessed extraordinary powers. She could summon fire at will, turn invisible, and communicate with animals. With her newfound abilities, she embarked on a journey to make a difference in the world. She fought against injustice, helped those in need, and became a symbol of hope for the people in the city. However, as the years passed, Lily began to feel a sense of emptiness. Despite all her heroic deeds and thrilling adventures, something was missing. She longed for the simplicity and warmth of her old village and the love and familiarity of her family and friends. The city had provided her with grandeur and excitement, but it lacked the genuine connections she had cherished. Lily realized that her magical life story change had taught her a valuable lesson about the importance of appreciating the present moment and the significance of human connection. With a heavy heart, she made her way back to the grove, seeking to reverse her magical transformation. As she placed her hand on the magical oak tree once more and spoke her heartfelt desire, everything around her shimmered again. The cityscape faded away, replaced by the serene beauty of the village she had once known. Lily's elegant gown turned back into her simple peasant dress, and she felt the familiar embrace of home. Though she no longer possessed extraordinary powers, Lily had learned to appreciate the magic of everyday life. She treasured her family and friends, finding joy in the simple pleasures of village life. And every night, as she gazed up at the stars, she no longer wished for something extraordinary to happen. Instead, she thanked the universe for the magical life story change that had taught her the true meaning of happiness..
Reviews for "The Power of a Single Moment: How Magic Can Change Your Life Forever"
1. John Doe - 2 stars
I found "Magical Life Story Change" to be a very predictable and formulaic book. The storyline was weak and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. Additionally, the writing style was basic and lacked nuance. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Jane Smith - 1 star
"Magical Life Story Change" was a complete letdown for me. The plot was convoluted and didn't make much sense. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest halfway through. The main character was unlikable and didn't undergo any significant growth or development. The writing itself was also subpar, filled with cliches and awkward dialogue. I regret picking up this book and would advise others to avoid it.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "Magical Life Story Change," but unfortunately, it fell short. The concept of the story had potential, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by sudden and rushed plot developments. The dialogue felt unnatural and forced, and the characters were unrelatable. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking a compelling and well-executed story.