Just Add Magic is a book series written by Cindy Callaghan. It is a popular children's fantasy series that has captured the imagination of young readers around the world. The series follows the adventures of three best friends, Kelly, Darbie, and Hannah, who discover an old recipe book in Kelly's attic that has magical properties. Once the girls start using the recipes from the book, they realize that the dishes they create have magical effects. Each recipe comes with a spell, and when the girls cook the dish and say the spell, something extraordinary happens. This leads them on a journey to uncover the secrets of the cookbook and solve mysteries in their small town.

Cindy Callaghan > Quotes

“I’d heard people order coffee drinks whose names went on for half an hour . . . A double mocha joka jerky over ice with a peppermint twist and a Kansas City pickle on the side.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in London

“the universe must always be in balance. If you do something bad, something bad will come back to you. Maybe not right away, but it will come. I promise you.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Just Add Magic

“I believe many things are magical - stars, knowledge, poetry, love and friendship.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Just Add Magic

“If you imagine a castle as bright and sparkly with glass slippers, singing mice, and servants with white gloves, this was the opposite.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in Ireland

“A regular Ferris wheel from a Wilmington carnival was like a dwarf planet compared to this gigantic wheel.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in London

“Ellie said, “Give me the Pad-i, and I’ll type today.”

“Yeah. Like ‘Pad Thai,’” she said.

I asked, “What’s wrong with ‘iPad’?”

“I thought it might be fun to change it. You know, see if it catches on.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in London

“We have big department stores like Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. It’s like this place ate those stores and a carnival. Is there anything it doesn’t have?”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in London

“Fine, the Drama Police called, and they said maybe I’m not a goner, but I won’t get a tart, which is pretty much the same thing. My blood sugar is low.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in London

“This is bril. I can’t wait to shop. Very bril.” Okay, maybe one too many “brils,” but it was progress.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in London

“Things were getting more un-boring by the minute. Maybe a little too de-bored-ified.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in London

“Sam picked up his hand-phone and looked at Ellie. “It’s the Shut Your Piehole Factory; they want to talk to you,” he said.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in London

“Grant…doesn’t use the helmet for football. He tapes balls of aluminum foil to it to help him connect with aliens who might try to talk to him.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in Hollywood

“Dad hooked the pipe cleaners over his ears. “You can wear this to soak up your drool while you sleep . . . or . . . I suppose, while you’re awake, if you’re the kind of person who drools when you’re awake. I would imagine there are people like that. And it keeps your pillowcase dry, or your shirt, if you’re awake.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in Hollywood

“Some girls have brothers who burp; some have brothers who punch them. I have one who thinks he’s parked at my house temporarily while he’s between intergalactic voyages.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in Hollywood

“Mom rushed away from the TV—something she only does for a pee emergency or a grease fire.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in Hollywood

“We high-fived by tapping our Twizzlers together. We’d come up with a million different ways to high-five without using our palms.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in Hollywood

“We need a teleporter,” Grant said, staring at the traffic. “Intelligent life on other planets teleport all the time. I’m sure.” I whispered to Payton, “I’d like to teleport him back to his home planet.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in Hollywood

“I swear I must have a weird magnet. There is no other way to explain the statistical improbability that I could have this many weird people in my life.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in Hollywood

“You can climb out of your designer bag now. I’ve never actually seen someone try to fit inside a handbag. You gave it a good go. Let me try.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in London

“We need two things,” Caroline said. “Disguises, and to get those videos from the Tart Fart so that he can’t upload anything else to the Internet, or turn anything over to the police.”
― Cindy Callaghan, Lost in London

Just Add Magic (1)

Synopsis: Take three friends. Add an old cookbook. Combine with cute boys and a pinch of magic. and see what kind of chaos ensues! When Kelly Quinn and her two BFFs discover a dusty old cookbook while cleaning out the attic, the girls decide to try a few of the mysterious and supposedly magical recipes that are inside. To their surprise, the Keep ’Em Quiet Cobbler actually silences Kelly’s pesky little brother and the Hexberry Tart puts a curse on mean girl Charlotte. Is it possible that the recipes really are magic? Who wrote them and where did they come from? And most importantly of all, when boys get involved, what kind of trouble are the girls stirring up for themselves?

About the Author: Cindy Callaghan is the author of the middle grade novels Lost in London, Lost in Paris, Lost in Rome, Lost in Ireland (formerly titled Lucky Me), Lost in Hollywood, the award-winning Sydney Mackenzie Knocks ’Em Dead, Just Add Magic (which is now a breakout streaming original series), and its sequel Potion Problems. She lives in Wilmington, Delaware.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Just Add Magic (1)
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication Date: 2010
Binding: Soft cover
Condition: Good

Just Add Magic

When Kelly Quinn and her two BFFs discover a dusty old cookbook while cleaning out the attic, the girls decide to try a few of the mysterious and supposedly magical recipes that are inside. To their surprise, the Keep 'Em Quiet Cobbler actually silences Kelly's pesky little brother and the Hexberry Tart puts a curse on mean girl Charlotte.

Is it possible that the recipes really are magic? Who wrote them and where did they come from? And most importantly of all, when boys get involved, what kind of trouble are the girls stirring up for themselves?

Cindy Callaghan is the author of the middle grade novels Lost in London, Lost in Paris, Lost in Rome, Lost in Ireland (formerly titled Lucky Me), Lost in Hollywood, the award-winning Sydney Mackenzie Knocks 'Em Dead, Just Add Magic (which is now a breakout streaming original series), and its sequel Potion Problems. She lives in Wilmington, Delaware.

Jesse Vilinsky is a classically trained actress and voice actor, having graduated from the USC School of Dramatic Arts and BADA in London. Jesse has lent her voice to numerous film and television projects, performing and voice matching children, teen, and adult voices. She has worked on various video games, animation, and commercial projects as well. As a narrator, Jesse has garnered recognition in AudioFile magazine for her expertly voiced characters and ability to bring forth the strength and truth of their stories. She has been lauded for her facility with dialects and accents, as well as her youthful tones. A New York City native now living in Downtown Los Angeles, Jesse spends her spare time exploring the city with her husband, eating donuts.

This leads them on a journey to uncover the secrets of the cookbook and solve mysteries in their small town. The trio faces various challenges and dilemmas along the way, but they always manage to work together and overcome them. Whether it's a recipe that can make people tell the truth or one that can make people remember forgotten memories, the girls' adventures are always exciting and full of twists and turns.

Cindy Callaghan's writing style is engaging and keeps the readers hooked from the first page. She creates relatable characters who resonate with young readers, and the magical elements of the story add an extra layer of excitement. The series also explores themes of friendship, family, and the importance of trust and teamwork. Just Add Magic has gained a loyal fan base, with readers eagerly awaiting each new installment in the series. It has also been adapted into a successful television series on Amazon Prime, further expanding its reach and popularity. In conclusion, Just Add Magic by Cindy Callaghan is a captivating book series that combines magic, mystery, and friendship. It is a must-read for young readers who enjoy fantasy and adventure stories. The series has captured the hearts of many and continues to inspire and entertain children around the world..

Reviews for "The Recipe for Success: Cindy Callaghan's Just Add Magic as a Young Adult Series"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Just add magic" by Cindy Callaghan. The plot seemed interesting, with three girls finding a magical cookbook. However, the execution fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. The story felt rushed and the magic elements were not well explained. Overall, I found the book to be predictable and lacking substance.

2. Sarah - 1 star - I have to say that "Just add magic" by Cindy Callaghan was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was mediocre, with cliché dialogue and shallow descriptions. The characters were unlikable and underdeveloped, making it hard to care about their journey. The plot was also weak, with no real surprises or twists. I expected a fun and magical read, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver.

3. Emily - 2 stars - "Just add magic" by Cindy Callaghan was not my cup of tea. The story felt forced and unrealistic, even for a fantasy novel. The pacing was off, with unnecessary filler scenes that dragged the plot down. The dialogue was cheesy and the humor felt forced. The main character was irritating and made questionable decisions throughout the book. Overall, I found it hard to immerse myself in this world and couldn't wait for it to be over.

4. Michael - 2 stars - I couldn't connect with "Just add magic" by Cindy Callaghan. The writing style was juvenile and did not engage me as an adult reader. The plot felt formulaic and lacked originality, with predictable twists and turns. The magical elements were not well-explored and left me wanting more. While it may appeal to younger readers, I found this book to be dull and unremarkable.

5. Jessica - 1 star - "Just add magic" by Cindy Callaghan was a major disappointment. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their journey. The writing style felt amateurish and lacked polish. The magical elements were not explained well, leaving me confused and uninterested. I had high hopes for this book, but it ultimately fell short for me.

Finding Magic in Unexpected Places: A Review of Cindy Callaghan's Just Add Magic