Books › A gift of magic
A gift of magic
First published 1971 · 240 pages
A quiet, nostalgic blend of family drama and psychic phenomena where the real challenge is not magic, but learning to let go.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a slightly faded, nostalgic photograph where the edges are tinged with something quietly supernatural. It unfolds at a steady, deliberate pace, grounding its eerie moments in the deeply relatable angst of a fracturing family. The prose is straightforward and earnest, focusing less on flashy magic and more on the internal, emotional weight of carrying a secret talent you do not fully understand. There is a mild, simmering tension throughout as the protagonist attempts to use her abilities to control the shifting dynamics of her household, creating an atmosphere that is both domestic and subtly suspenseful. It is a perfect fit for readers who appreciate vintage middle-grade stories where coming-of-age struggles are amplified by a touch of the extraordinary.
- Mood
- domestic
- quietly eerie
- nostalgic
- Tone
- earnest
- introspective
- mildly suspenseful
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- navigating family fracture · the burden of hidden talents · relinquishing control · coming of age
- The writing
- Straightforward and accessible, grounding supernatural elements in the everyday emotional realism of a 1970s childhood.
- The arc
- Moves from a place of anxious, grasping control over a fracturing family to a mature acceptance of change and personal boundaries.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love vintage middle-grade fiction where quiet psychic abilities collide with everyday family drama.
Content notes
- divorce
- family separation
About the book
Until she learns to control it, Nancy's gift of extrasensory perception brings her more trouble than she can handle.
Description from Open Library.
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