This fantastically creative coming of age story is snowy, full of magic and intrigue, and dives into the power of choice over fate.
It's the perfect read for upper elementary school and middle school kids.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Middle grade is one of my favorite things to read and I was excited to read this one. I really enjoyed the winter atmosphere of this book! I appreciated that it was clean title that didn't take me by surprise as I often find in newer middle grade releases.

I plan to read this one aloud to my kids!

I don't read a lot of Middle Grade (though I'm trying to read more!), but the description for The Root of Magic hooked me! It's full of magic and mystery and a snowy, wintry feeling that makes me want to curl up by the fire. I'd recommend for older middle grade readers, about 8-11, and even middle schoolers, as the themes do get a little heavy. Lovely read!

The Root of Magic is an interesting, thought-provoking middle grades fantasy about the nature of choice and free will. It would be good conversation starter for parents and kids reading together.

This seemed like it might have been my type of book, but not exactly. I think , though, kids 5th grade to maybe 7th will enjoy it. As an adult I found it a bit of a stretch in some ways. I liked the characters; most seemed true to life, especially Willow and her family. I've seen families torn apart by a child's illness. Not a bad read really for it's marketed age group.

Would you want to know what each day would bring before it happened? This is the question Willow must answer when a terrifying accident brings her and her family to Kismet, Maine.

The Root of Magic is a story filled with the wonders of magic, love, and acceptance of yourself and others.

Appropriate for children of ages 8 - 12. There is no foul language and no sex (a first kiss only). It would make a great read-aloud for families. Discussions will abound.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Random House Children's Publishing, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

In the middle-grade book The Root of Magic, unfortunately-named siblings Willow and Wisp and their doting mother end up in a strange Maine town where everyone is able to anticipate what someone is going to do or ask for. The main character Willow gets upset when no one is able to tell her why people can predict the near future... but then quickly finds out what's really going on when she wanders into a barn that's supposed to be off-limits.

I'm going to say right off the bat that the big magical secret was not much of a surprise. The book doesn't specifically say that people are able to see what's going to happen in the day ahead of them, but that's exactly what the surprise is - that people can see the day ahead of them. And once you found out how, you can't help but think that it's kind of anti-climatic.

It's magical berries. I am not making this up.

Putting that aside, I liked the main message of the story; that life is fun only when there are things to anticipate. But then again, that's... kind of obvious? I mean, who would choose to know what's coming up ahead of them? What if someone is going to die? Since the characters who eat the berries every day can't change major things that will happen to them or else they feel physical pain, the choice should be obvious to them. But you have to choose to either eat the berries every day or leave the town forever on your thirteenth birthday, so I guess I would have picked to see the future when I was that age, too. Also, you have to leave the town forever if you don't choose to see your future. There's literally no good reason for it, either.

Willow was a bland main character. She had no personality compared to her brother, Wisp, and she had a love interest, which I thought was super weird because she acted like a nine-year-old. She's supposed to be twelve.

So yeah, I had a lot of problems with The Root of Magic, but I only realized it after I started writing this review. There are better middle-grade novels out there - pick something else to read.

I didn't find the big reveal in this one particularly surprising. I didn't guess the specifics, of course, but the idea that these characters had some method by which they knew the future, some method the protagonist was going to discover and have to deal with, was pretty obvious. The bush was a nice element, simply because it set rules and precedent for the magic. With this whole history surrounding the berries we get an explanation for the rules of the town. A nice change of pace from standard magic stories.

I had the opportunity to read a NetGalley digital ARC of this middle grade fantasy novel in exchange for a review. Navigating the rough waters of adolescence is tough, especially when you’re also faced with a health crisis in your family and the resulting strains on relationships. Willow’s younger brother, Wisp, has a rare, mysterious illness that affects his ability to eat and also makes him weak and tired much of the time. Willow’s mom is consumed with worry as she seeks out a cure from health care professionals, nutritionists, and any other promising source.
When an unexpected New England winter storm leaves the three of them stranded in Kismet, Maine with only the clothes they’re wearing, they have to rely on the kindness and generosity of the mysterious townspeople. Willow feels very uncomfortable with how much everyone seems to know about her and her family, even though they’ve never met. When a doctor in the town’s hospital seems to have a promising treatment for Wisp’s condition, Willow’s mom decides to stay in Kismet indefinitely.
Willow meets some of the other kids her age that live in Kismet, and what she learns about the town’s magic only leads to more questions. She becomes romantically close to Topher, who is about to turn thirteen. When kids in this town turn thirteen, they are required to either accept the magic of the town or leave forever. This story will have readers wondering if they would prefer the assurance of always knowing what is going to happen next (even if you’re bound to accept the fate that has been shown to you) or enjoying the surprises that come your way and somehow finding the courage to face life head on in the face of the unknown.
The story moves along pretty quickly, and I think that readers who enjoy a little romance with their magical situations will enjoy this book. The romance is written appropriately for middle grade students (grades 5-8) with hand holding, hugging, and a kiss or two. The book has a good climax in which readers will really want to find out what the characters will decide. It could also generate some good discussions for groups or pairs that read the book together.

The Root of Magic is quick, middle grade read. I liked the overall message of the book and that it gives you something to think about. I did not love the ending and would have liked a little more closure or an epilogue, but all in all I really liked this book and would recommend it to my students.

Willow is returning from a hockey game when a sudden snowstorm appears and causes an accident. An accident that could had been deadly if someone hadn’t shown up in time to rescue them. Willow ‘s mom is always worried about Willow’s little brother Wisp—a very sick boy. When they are rescued they are taken to a bed and breakfast in Kismet, Maine. Kismet is a very small town — less than 200 people. The people are all very friendly but strange. They seem to know what is going to happen before it does. It spooks Willow. Why? Her mom who has been constantly worried about Wisp, but suddenly stops in Kismet. Why? Willow gets a friend who gives mysterious hints about Kismet, which only frustrates her more. When the kids of Kismet turn 13, they must make a decision to live in Kismet forever or leave. If they decide to leave, they can never go back to Kismet. Why? How can a 13 year old make that type of decision?

It is an engaging mysterious story with a secret that isn’t told to outsiders. The hints given in this mystery kept me intrigue in this well written book. I hated to have it end. The characters are well developed and described. The plot of the story is excellent. It gave me a question that made me think what my answer would be.

Come get whisked away and escape reality for a bit with this mystical and enchanting new release The Root of Magic. Willow and Wisp are struggling with big life problems children will be able to relate to in this magical and mysterious page turner.

I received this book through NetGalley.

This thought-provoking middle grade book is about fate and the power of choice. Willow has become a miniature adult in her family. Her younger brother is deathly sick and undiagnosed despite endless tests; their mom is obsessed with curing the boy, with Willow ignored; and their dad has moved out, unable to handle anything. In the thick one of snowstorm, Willow, her mom, and brother wreck their car but find themselves promptly rescued by people from a small town. But Willow is soon unnerved by the weird way townsfolk predict what she will do. It’s like... magic.

I really enjoyed this book, and I really would have loved it as a kid. Willow is easy to relate to—smart, complicated, and nosy about the town secrets. Her family dynamics felt realistic. The moral dilemma presented by the book is handled well, too. It would open up opportunities for deep discussions between kids and adults about what they would choose and why.

The Root of Magic
by Kathleen Benner Duble

A young adult book with a different spin. A young girl, her brother and mother are lost in a snow storm after her winning hockey game. It is where they find themselves that is remarkable. A small town, but not an ordinary small town. The people seem to be mind readers, able to predict things before they occur. Like the tow truck driver and his wife that pull them out of their car before it goes over the bridge causing their death. It is the root of magic that may be the source of power in this town. But the question is being able to know your future is it worth the cost.
It’s a great book about noticing the details, and understanding the human spirit. A book for young readers to understand the magic in the world.

DuChard Unspoken Family Rule #1: You are never, ever to say the words “death” or “die” when Wisp is within earshot. Willow is a 12 year old girl who is on her way back home with her mother and little brother from her hockey game, there is a terrible blizzard and they are lost, they crash into a bridge tipping over and out of nowhere James and Layla of kismet maine, pop. 173 show up to save them, This book is not only a good read for children but also any book lover it makes you wonder about all the possibilities of what will happen next.

A beautiful book about love and family and not giving up hope. This book was a quick magical read that kept me guessing until the end.

A very interesting story that was not able to sustain my attention for the totality of the narrative. An admirable attempt.