About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler is navigating the social pressures of summer camp or feeling the sting of being left out by a sibling or close friend. This contemporary fantasy follows Rachel as she heads to sleepaway camp with her brand new magic powers, hoping to impress her crush. However, she quickly finds herself sidelined when her younger sister bonds with a popular girl who has a secret, mean-spirited agenda. It is an ideal choice for parents who want to help their child process the complexities of female friendships and the importance of trusting one's own perceptions. The story beautifully balances lighthearted humor with the very real emotional weight of sibling rivalry and social exclusion. While the magic adds a layer of fun, the core of the book is about Rachel finding the confidence to stand up for herself and protect those she cares about, even when it is socially risky. It is a relatable and normalizing read for any preteen dealing with the shifting dynamics of their peer group.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The story features realistic social exclusion and gaslighting (a peer subtly undermining the protagonist's reality). Parents may want to discuss how to identify and handle manipulative friendships.
Ideal Reader
A 10 to 12 year old who loves stories about magic but is more interested in the social dynamics of middle school, camp culture, and the nuances of being a big sister.
Parent Prep
Parents should be ready to discuss the dynamics of 'mean girl' behavior and gaslighting, specifically how to trust one's intuition when a peer is being subtly cruel. A parent might hear their child complaining that their friend or sibling is hanging out with a 'mean girl' and won't listen to reason.
Age Experience
A 10-year-old will focus on the cool factor of the magic and the excitement of camp activities. A 13-year-old will more keenly feel the social anxiety, the pressure of a first crush, and the specific pain of being gaslit by a peer group.
What Makes It Special
What sets this apart is the fusion of high-concept magic with very grounded, 'Queen Bees and Wannabes' style social politics. It treats the emotional stakes of a camp friendship as seriously as the magical stakes of the plot.
Read plot summary
Rachel and her sister Miri head to summer camp, where Rachel hopes to use her newfound magic to finally win over her crush, Raf. However, the social landscape is complicated by Liana, a girl who befriends Miri while subtly isolating and undermining Rachel. Rachel suspects Liana has magical secrets of her own, but no one believes her. The plot focuses on Rachel's attempts to master her unpredictable spells while navigating the hierarchy of camp life, eventually leading to a magical confrontation where Rachel must choose between her own desires and the safety of her sister.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Why does Rachel find it so hard to convince Miri that Liana is bad news? Have you ever seen someone's true colors before your friends did?
2
Rachel initially wants to use magic to make Raf like her. Why does magic often make social situations more complicated instead of easier?
3
Liana uses 'social magic' to exclude Rachel. How is being left out of a group similar to a bad spell?
4
Miri and Rachel have very different ways of handling their magic. How does their relationship change once they are at camp together?
5
At the end of the book, what does Rachel realize about what it actually means to be powerful?
