A Snicker of Magic

This book by Natalie Lloyd is actually an award winning children's book, all the more remarkably given that this is Lloyd's first book. Here are some of the honors awarded:

• An ALA Notable Book
• An Odyssey Honor Award
• An E.B. White Read Aloud Honor Book
• A SIBA Children’s Book Award Finalist
• A Nerdy Book Club Award Winner
• NCTE Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children, Recommended Book
• A Junior Library Guild Selection
• A Siba Okra Pick
• 2015 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Winner for Children’s Literature 

Twelve-year-old Felicity Juniper Pickle, along with younger sister Frannie Jo and their dog Biscuit, have come to live in the town where her mother grew up, Midnight Gulch, TN. The town has a magical history which came to an end when two musician/magical brothers had a duel that ended with a curse, leaving the town without magic--maybe. Felicity has her own magic; she is able to see words that others can't--words that reveal people's secret hopes and sorrows. Felicity is befriended by wheelchair traveler Jonah who fills her in on the town's history and has a magical secret of his own. Felicity has a magical vocabulary as well that floats through the text and "spins a web around the story that touches on helping others, budding friendships, and strength of family. (Booklist)" With Jonah's help, Felicity hopes to break the curse and solve the riddle of her mother's sadness that keeps the family moving from town to town. 

Publishers Weekly effuses, "spins a web around the story that touches on helping others, budding friendships, and strength of family..." and concludes "Lloyd offers a reassuring, homespun story about self-expression and the magic that resides in one's mind and heart." And the New York Times is equally enthralled, claiming the book "covers wholesome, warm-fuzzy territory in a quirky, cheerful way. It should be read aloud for maximum enjoyment, with a pen handy to jot down new words, preferably not on your sneakers. Young spelling enthusiasts, Scrabble lovers, Boggle big leaguers and word people of the world — hang on for the ride! Felicity Pickle will take you places, and that, fellow logophiles, is spindiddly, indeed."