LIKE A CHARM

A neurodivergent tween discovers a hidden world.

Twelve-year-old beret-aficionado Ramya Knox is dyspraxic. When her famous newsreader parents move the family from London to Edinburgh, she is reunited with her previously estranged maternal aunts and her cousin, Marley. Her grandfather recently died and left Ramya a magical book that only she can read, and with the help of a mysterious stranger, she soon learns that she can see Hidden Folk (like sprites, trolls, and vampires), who cloak themselves in Glamour to blend into the human world. The Hidden Folk are being terrorized and divided by the power-hungry and entirely evil sirens, who wish to cleave not only their own world but the human world as well. With loyal Marley by her side, Ramya discovers how nefarious and dangerous the sirens can be, and how her own differences may ultimately be what saves both worlds. McNicoll, who mentions in her author’s note that she also has dyspraxia, has written a timely tale that stresses how damaging othering can be, how important friendship and belonging are, and how differences can and should be celebrated. While the worldbuilding is cleverly wrought and inviting, more sophisticated readers may easily anticipate the plot twists; this minor quibble aside, tenacious Ramya is wholly likable, and a cliffhanger ending hints at further adventures. Most characters seem to be white; Ramya has dark hair, and it’s unclear whether her given name is intended to cue South Asian heritage.

An uplifting tale of magic, community, and acceptance.