ONE JAR OF MAGIC
February 9, 2021
Rose Alice Anders is Little Luck. Lucky to born into the Anders family. Lucky to be just as special, just as magical, as the most revered man in town—her father. It feels like the whole town has been waiting for Rose to turn twelve, when she can join them in their annual capturing of magic on New Year’s Day and become the person she was born to be. But when the special day finally comes, Rose barely captures one tiny jar of magic. Rose’s dad won’t talk to her anymore and her friendships have gotten all twisted and wrong. So when Rose hears whispers about people who aren’t meant for magic at all, she begins to wonder if that’s who she belongs with. Maybe if she’s away from all the magic, away from her dad telling her who she’s meant to be, who she has to be, Rose can begin to piece together what’s truly real in a world full of magic.
PRAISE
* An SLJ Best Book of the Year * A CCBC Choices Pick of the Year *
* “The worldbuilding and magic system are enchanting and expertly crafted…absolutely heartbreaking and completely realistic…. The characters are richly developed and emotionally complex; a beautiful, tender sibling relationship stands out, showing mutual understanding and emotional support in ways both large and small. The ending is empowering and plausibly hopeful”
– Kirkus Review, Starred Review
* “Haydu’s story is a stunner. Its magic system is inventive and imaginative, and Rose and her world are drawn with care and compassion. A carefully crafted message of hope and the sometimes-painful beauty in forging an identity all your own.”
– Booklist, Starred Review
* “Rose’s visceral pain and her hard-earned agency will be deeply felt. Readers who enjoy everyday magic, friendship stories, and family drama will be enchanted by this magic jar of a book.”
– School Library Journal, Starred Review
* “Taut underlying tension and a sympathetically flawed protagonist. Haydu deftly, and with startling clarity, portrays the presence and devastating effect of abuse on a family.”
– Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Gently honest and emotionally astute.”
– Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books