A Gift of Magic
Jul 10, 2012
Author: Lois Duncan
ISBN: 0-316-09894-9 / 978-0-316-09894-6 Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 19, 2012
Book Description:
When the old woman died, she left her grandchild Nancy with the extraordinary gift of magic. Nancy can read people's minds, know their thoughts, and make them do what she wants. Will she use her gift for good, or satisfy her own selfish desire?
Idgie Says:
"Refreshed" from the original story written in the 70s, this book has been updated with not only the current slang, but the sisters are now twins and also teenagers. Apparently in the first story they were preteens 2 years apart but Lois felt that the aging of the girls was important to the YA crowd. 12 year olds are apparently not popular to read about.
The gist of the story is somewhat lightly fluffed over, but it does build the body of the story. Nancy's grandmother had powers and when she died she passed various ones onto her grandchildren. The biggest power was telepathy and that was given to Nancy.
It's never been used for anything more than seeing what and where her family is and as a soothing device to know that everyone's okay. But then her family is ripped apart when Mom and Dad divorce and Nancy, with her teenage anger, starts finding other ways to use it.
When little things start happening to people she's angry with, she knows it's wrong, but doesn't seem to be able to stop. At the same time, she also uses it for good. Will one emotion win out over the other or will she find a good balance.
With teenagers.......you never know!
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Reviewed by Idgie. If you would like to have the Dew review a book, please contact me at dewonthekudzu@gmail.com
