Snicker of Magic is a book written by Natalie Lloyd. It is a heartwarming and enchanting story about a young girl named Felicity Juniper Pickle who has a magical gift to see and collect words. Felicity and her nomadic family move to the small town of Midnight Gulch, where she discovers that the town used to be full of magic and performed the greatest magic show on earth. However, the magic has disappeared from Midnight Gulch, and the townspeople are no longer connected or happy. Felicity is determined to bring the magic back to the town and sets out on a quest to find the lost magic. Along the way, she befriends a boy named Jonah, who has his own magical ability to glide like a ghost.
Felicity Pickle’s family, including Mama, her sister Frannie Jo, and their dog Biscuit, move to a town called Midnight Gulch, Tennessee. Mama grew up in the town, and her sister, Cleo, still lives there. Midnight Gulch used to be a magical town, but the magic has been gone since long before Mama was born. Mama has moved her family all over the country, and Felicity hopes Mama will choose to finally settle down in Midnight Gulch. Felicity has a special ability to see words that appear around people, objects, and buildings. Some words hang around, while others fade quickly. Felicity collects these words in a blue book.
Natalie Lloyd s 2014 novel, A Snicker of Magic , is a middle-grade magical realism story that follows the tale of Felicity Pickle as her family moves to the formerly magical town of Midnight Gulch. All in all, A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd is a good middle-reader novel that tackles the power of finding the right words to say what one really means.
Along the way, she befriends a boy named Jonah, who has his own magical ability to glide like a ghost. Together, Felicity and Jonah uncover the secrets of Midnight Gulch's past and discover that the magic is still alive, hiding in the hearts of the townspeople. They learn that true magic is not about tricks or illusions but about love, acceptance, and the power of community.
A Snicker of Magic Book Review
When I was a children’s librarian, I enjoyed reading juvenile books, especially for the Battle of the Books at my work. One of the titles that I read to prepare for that competition was A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd. Even though it can be predictable, it’s a good novel about finding the right words to say what one believes in.
A Snicker of Magic involves Felicity Pickle – a 12-year-old “word collector” – and a town that used to have magic. In the past, Midnight Gulch was a magical place, but a curse drove it away. When Felicity arrives in that town, she thinks her luck will change. As “a word collector,” Felicity sees words everywhere, yet Midnight Gulch is the first place that she’s ever seen the word “home” because her nomadic mom has a wandering heart. She also meets Jonah – a mysterious do-gooder who shimmers with words that she has never seen before, and he makes her heart beat a little faster. Felicity wants to stay in Midnight Gulch, yet she has to figure out a way to bring back the magic, so she can break the spell that’s been cast over the town and over her mom’s broken heart.
I can see why my library chose this title for Battle of the Books. When I read this book, all I could think of was how cinematic this can be. This was especially true with how the words appear everywhere that Felicity looks like in someone’s hair and in strings of her Uncle Boone’s banjo. I personally think it could work better in animation since that form doesn’t limit much to the imagination like live action can at times.
In addition, Felicity Pickle is a relatable character as all she wants is a place to stay and belong. I know a lot of kids, especially her age can identify with that. She has her quirks with the words and her insecurities. She’s great at collecting words, but verbalizing them is a challenge. All she needs is the right words, and spoilers, she does. I like her friend Jonah as well. He likes to do good things for people regardless of where they live in the world. He does this because it makes him feel good and as a way to distract him from thinking of his dad who’s been deployed. Jonah also is confined to a wheelchair for unknown reasons, but he and the book don’t let his disability define him. In other words, it’s there, and it’s a part of his story. The townspeople are accommodating to him, but all they think of him is a kid who lives with them.
My only complaint is that it can be predictable at times.
The characters have quirky names: check! The main character’s name is Felicity Juniper Pickle, and her teacher is Miss Divinity Lawson.
The town the Pickles move is unique, and all of the townspeople could have their own TV shows: check! Midnight Gulch is a place that used to have a lot of magic, and everybody in it has some kind of power.
People tell stories that happen to advance the plot: check! I understand that Felicity has a hard time finding and telling her story, but does everybody have to tell theirs? I don’t know if everyone has figured out each of their own, but there could’ve been other ways to move the plot forward.
And of course, I also have to address a peeve that a lot of readers have with the book: the amount of times the word “spindiddly” and the phrase “what the hayseed” are mention. I personally didn’t mind this because “spindiddly” is such a unique word that suits Felicity perfectly. People use certain words repeatedly to describe practically everything. For example, I like to say “absolutely,” “definitely,” and “indeed” plenty of times. I’ve annoyed others by repeating these words, but that’s my thing. As for “what the hayseed,” I find the phrase to suit the location very well. It takes place in a town in Tennessee, so it makes sense that people from that part of the United States might exclaim something like that. Also, I reviewed For Whom the Bell Tolls last year, and there’s one part of the book, in which the main character says muck to everybody he knows. Yes, muck. In addition, various people say, “What the obscenity” too! In other words, I’d rather hear “what the hayseed” than “what the obscenity.”
All in all, A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd is a good middle-reader novel that tackles the power of finding the right words to say what one really means. The protagonist is certainly relatable, and the descriptions for how the words form in everywhere that she sees make the book ripe for a film adaptation. Some readers might be annoyed with its troupes and frequent use of certain words and phrases. I’d recommend it for those who love reading about magical towns and characters who struggle to speak up. It got me a snicker of magic, and you can have it too.
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The town the Pickles move is unique, and all of the townspeople could have their own TV shows: check! Midnight Gulch is a place that used to have a lot of magic, and everybody in it has some kind of power.
Throughout the story, Felicity's collecting of words becomes a way for her to understand and connect with the people around her. She creates a magical "word garden" where she plants and nurtures the words she collects. These words come to life and bring joy and healing to the people of Midnight Gulch. Snicker of Magic is a beautifully written tale that celebrates the power of words, friendship, and the importance of embracing one's unique gifts. It reminds readers of the magic that can be found in the everyday and the transformative power of love and connection. This enchanting story is sure to captivate readers of all ages and leave them with a snicker of magic in their own hearts..
Reviews for "Bringing Snicker of Magic to Life: The Journey from Book to Film Adaptation"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Snicker of Magic" after all the positive reviews I had seen. However, I was extremely disappointed. The story was slow and lacked a clear plot. The characters were underdeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. Overall, I found the book to be quite boring and I struggled to finish it. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and captivating read.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't get into "Snicker of Magic" at all. The writing style felt juvenile and the language was overly simplistic. The story lacked depth and substance, and I found myself losing interest very quickly. The magical elements mentioned in the book were not well-explained and seemed forced. I was expecting a captivating fantasy read, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Snicker of Magic" based on the glowing reviews, but I was left disappointed. The writing was choppy and awkward, making it difficult to get immersed in the story. The characters felt one-dimensional and their actions often didn't make sense. The magic elements were poorly integrated into the plot and didn't add much to the overall story. I found myself skimming through the pages, waiting for something interesting to happen, but it never did. Overall, this book was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it.
4. Emma - 2.5 stars - "Snicker of Magic" was an okay read for me. While the concept of a town filled with magic and the powers of words sounded intriguing, the execution fell flat. The pacing was slow, and the plot felt like it was dragging on without any real direction. The writing style was simple and lacked depth, which made it hard for me to fully engage with the story. Additionally, some of the characters felt cliché and lacked complexity. While the book had its moments, overall, it didn't live up to my expectations.