THE COURAGE OF CAT CAMPBELL

For years, Cat Campbell has dreamed of having magical powers like her great-great-grandmother Mabel and attending Ruthersfield Academy, “the only accredited school for magic in the country.”

Yet her mother, beloved town baker Poppy Pendle, the now-grown heroine of The Power of Poppy Pendle (2012), is adamant that magic is a terrible gift, refusing to even speak about her magical girlhood. When Cat comes across her mother’s old wand, however, she is able to use it to change a hairy spider into a colorful ball—she is magical after all! Now she just has to convince her mother to allow her to attend Ruthersfield. While learning to control her new abilities, Cat must live out the motto of her favorite book, The Late Bloomer’s Guide to Magic: “Nem zentar topello” means “Don’t let fear stand in your way.” Cat easily conquers her fear of spiders and finds the courage to face the wickedest witch ever to escape from Scrubs Prison. But her biggest challenge? How to follow her passion for magic against her mother’s wishes. Lowe’s simple plot of parent-child conflict unfolds in a now-familiar wizarding world, tension arising more from emotions than external thrills, despite that wicked witch. The appended recipes include incantations and substitutions if readers are unable to find pixie laughs or unicorn milk at the local grocery.

A sweet choice for readers who prefer their fantasy thoughtful instead of action-packed.