In 2019, I gave The Secrets of Magnolia Moon a five star rating. The Magic of Magnolia Moon is a worthy sequel although, to me, it did not quite have the same magical touch of the first instalment. Please don't let that put you off, though, this is a quiet story and an affirming one with some very sweet moments.
Magnolia's best friend Imogen May has of course moved away but Magnolia and Imogen are able chat on the phone and meet up from time to time. Imogen has made a new friend called Sage and so has Magnolia. In fact Magnolia has two special friends - Casper Sloan and a tiny bird that has made a nest in her hair. She names the bird Hecate, goddess of magic and spells, or Hetty for short.
Moving to a new class with a new teacher means Magnolia has to find a way to cope with change. One of her biggest worries concerns the issue of a best friend. She discusses this with her grandmother:
"Can you have more than one best friend?' ... 'Of course you can!' said Grandma Moon. 'I have eight ..."
Talking about Magnolia herself, Edwina Wyatt told Joy Lawn from Paperbark Words:
Magnolia is a romantic and curious child with a fascination in Greek mythology, a huge imagination and a love of nature. Her quirky way of looking at the world is uniquely hers and helps her find magic and inspiration in everything she does. Above all else, she is a deep thinker, a compassionate friend and a good listener – the kind of person who can be entrusted with a great many secrets.
As I mentioned this book has some truly sweet moments:
- I like the way Magnolia has to navigate the noisy and somewhat pesky stairs in her house
- The clock is also a fun addition with his nagging voice
- Magnolia loves fairy tales and aspects of her favourite stories enrich her imagination
- I was so pleased Casper Sloan still packs his alphabet lunch each day
- Magnolia is a wonderful older sister to Finnegan
- I love the emotional intelligence she offers Reuben
- Thank you Edwina for making Miss Mackerel such a wonderful class teacher.
When the class bully Peggy Small ridicules Magnolia for read a book of fairy tales Magnolia thinks this through and is able to discover her own wisdom:
"And suddenly she realised that she couldn't be upset with Peggy Small, it was just the Peggy didn't know what magic was. She didn't know that magic wasn't just about the made-up bits; the dragons and the castles and the peas hidden beneath mattresses. The real magic was the stuff you couldn't see. Like true love and kindness. Forgiveness, bravery and second chances."
I recommend The Magic of Magnolia Moon for readers aged 8+ but I do suggest you try to find the first instalment - The Secrets of Magnolia Moon - and then read the two books one after the other either for yourself or as a family read aloud.
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