Emma and the Love Spell

by Meredith Ireland

Overview

Witchlings meets The Parent Trap in this contemporary fantasy about a girl who tries to use her fickle witchy powers to keep her best friend (and secret crush!) from moving away.

Twelve-year-old, Korean American adoptee Emma Davidson has a problem. Two problems. Okay, three:

1. She has a crush on her best friend, Avangeline, that she hasn't been able to share
2. Avangeline now has to move out of their town because her parents are getting a divorce
3. Oh, and Emma is a secret witch who can't really control her powers

It's a complicated summer between sixth and seventh grade. Emma's parents made her promise that she'd keep her powers a secret and never, ever use them. But if Avangeline's parents fell back in love, it would fix everything. And how hard could one little love spell be?

This fast-paced, heartfelt story is a powerful exploration of learning to embrace who you are, even when your true self is different from everyone around you.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781547612604
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	01/23/2024
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	641,688
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 5.50(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Meredith Ireland was born in Korea and adopted by a New York librarian. Her love of books started early and, although she pursued both pre-med at Rollins College and law at the University of Miami, stories were her fate. She currently resides with her two children, and Bob, a carnival goldfish who's likely a person. She writes children's books, some of which you may like. She is the author of the YA novels The Jasmine Project, a JLG Gold Standard Selection, and Everyone Hates Kelsie Miller. She is also a contributor to You Are Here, a middle grade anthology, and When We Became Ours, a young adult anthology.
meredithireland.wordpress.com
Twitter: @meredithireland
Instagram: @writermeredithireland

Editorial Reviews

12/04/2023

Fresh out of sixth grade, Korean American adoptee Emma Davidson has the perfect summer planned out—and it definitely doesn’t involve using her magical powers, which seem to go haywire whenever she loses control of her emotions. But then she finds out that the parents of her best friend and crush Avangeline are getting divorced, and that Avangeline is moving away. Though she’s initially keen on following her own parents’ advice to avoid using her powers and “act normal,” Emma believes that if she can use her magic to reconcile Avangeline’s parents, her bestie won’t have to move. With help from her talking parrot and mind-reading cat, Emma practices her magic, but when things go awry, Emma promises Avangeline that she won’t interfere anymore—and covertly breaks that promise as she continues to refine her powers with the help of an unexpected mentor. Magic abounds in this cheery tale by Ireland (Everyone Hates Kelsie Miller), who employs fast pacing, good humor, and tons of heart to adeptly convey one queer tween’s struggle to navigate her feelings and desires, as well as her burgeoning realization that it will take more than good intentions (and fledging enchantments) to repair damaged relationships. Major supporting characters read as white. Ages 9–12. Agent: Lauren Spieller, Folio Literary. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

Both heartwarming and hilarious! This lovely story about embracing your own unique identity is not to be missed!” —Ellen Oh, author of Finding Junie Kim and cofounder of We Need Diverse Books

“Reading this book feels like talking to your funny, honest best friend. Ireland has a way of making Emma's experiences-whether they be sad, embarrassing, scary, or wondrous-totally relatable. I loved this book.” —Misa Sugiura, author of Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind and It's Not Like It's a Secret

“A whimsical delight of a story so magical that it feels like it cast a spell on me. Emma and the Love Spell is sure to charm readers who will adore plucky Emma; her best friend Avangeline; and of course, Persimmon, the sassy, talking cat.” —Julie Abe, author of the Eva Evergreen and Tessa Miyata series

“In the completely enchanting Emma and the Love Spell, Meredith Ireland weaves a delightful story of best friendship, first crushes, and the life-changing magic of coming into your powers-whatever they may be. A wonderful read.” —Anne Ursu, author of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

“At once tender and spunky, Emma and the Love Spell is a spirited reminder that we contain multitudes and anything is possible when we embrace that truth-even a little bit of magic.” —Sarah Suk, author of The Space between Here & Now and Made in Korea

“Magic abounds in this cheery tale by Ireland, who employs fast pacing, good humor, and tons of heart to adeptly convey one queer tween's struggle to navigate her feelings and desires.” —Publishers Weekly

“This sweet story touches on self-identity, belonging, and otherness in an accessible way. Ireland's character development is sophisticated yet approachable, much like Kelly Yang's Front Desk. Readers of all ages will appreciate Emma's journey of self-discovery in this fast-paced fantasy.” —School Library Journal, starred review

“With plenty of relatable depth and wide appeal, this is a stellar pick.” —Booklist

“A satisfying story of emotional growth that will leave readers hoping for more magical adventures.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

★ 01/01/2024

Gr 4–7—Sixth grade has ended, and Emma can't wait to spend the summer with her best friend, Avangeline. Unfortunately, Avangeline shares the news of her parents' upcoming divorce and her family's move to New Orleans in a month. Emma is devastated—Lina is her only friend and her biggest crush. The girls come up with a plan to make Avangeline's parents fall back in love. What Lina doesn't know is that Emma has magical powers and is planning on using them in this Parent Trap—esque scheme of theirs. Her powers are connected to her emotions; flowers bloom when she's happy and storms rage when she's upset. Her parents treat her magic as something to fear, and Emma must learn how to control her powers and conjure the perfect love spell if she wants Avangeline to stay. Along with being the only witch in town, Emma is a Korean transracial adoptee. This sweet story touches on self-identity, belonging, and otherness in an accessible way. VERDICT Ireland's character development is sophisticated yet approachable, much like in Kelly Yang's Front Desk. Readers of all ages will appreciate Emma's journey of self-discovery in this fast-paced fantasy.—Maria Martin

School Library Journal

2023-10-07
A powerful young witch grows the confidence to manage difficult emotions and wield her magic.

Two years have passed since Korean American Emma and her white adoptive parents moved to their small town, and Emma still has only one friend—one with whom she’s fallen in love. So, when Avangeline (who reads white) shares that she’ll be moving across the country due to her parents’ divorce, Emma is devastated. But she can’t express her pain freely, because her feelings have consequences: When she’s joyful, flowers bloom; when she’s upset, there’s lightning. Emma’s nonmagical parents try to suppress her magic with a “Just Act Normal” strategy that leaves her feeling fragmented, ashamed, and afraid of herself. If only someone other than talking animals could guide her so she could use her magic for something good—like making Avangeline’s parents fall back in love. With her parents leaving for a few days, Emma has a chance to try, but babysitter Mrs. Cornwall spots her practicing and reveals that she, too, is a witch. Should Emma trust her suspicions about Mrs. Cornwall, or has she found a helpful mentor? Clear, descriptive storytelling elucidates complex emotions and relationships with care and the right pacing. Readers will resonate with Emma’s struggle for authenticity as she considers the risks of conflict or rejection if she exposes hidden parts of herself.

A satisfying story of emotional growth that will leave readers hoping for more magical adventures. (Fantasy. 9-13)

Kirkus Reviews