Travel back in time to NYC in 1906 with Emma, a wealthy girl, and a world where everyone has magic. It is important to cultivate your magic and that is just what Emma plans to do at Miss Posterity’s Academy for Practical Magic. Then when her father dies and she loses all her money, she is forced to work off her debt side-by-side with a servant. She realizes exactly how sheltered she was in the wealthy world and has to depend on Izzy to help her with her magic. This fantasy is one of my favorites to date, and belongs to a debut author!
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I received this book as a Netgalley ARC via the publisher. Thank you!

Thank you to #NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of The Gilded Girl by Alyssa Colman. This middle grades fantasy book will be published in April 2021. All opinions are my own.

Miss Posterity's Academy for Practical Magic has a history of being the best place for girls to learn how to kindle and keep their magic. Emma has just turned twelve and her father is leaving her at Miss Posterity's school to learn how to kindle while he heads to San Francisco to oversee his most recent, and biggest, magictecture project yet. Emma is excited to learn how to kindle, so she can go on to high school and university and eventually join her father's magictecture firm. Izzy grew up in the Tarnish and lost both her parents at a young age. She and her little sister Maeve were separated and Maeve was sent out west to be adopted while Izzy was sent to Miss Posterity's to work as a maid. Izzy is sparking and has decided that though her magic is supposed to be snuffed when the kindling winds blow, she will kindle and find her little sister. Izzy and Emma's lives are thrust together when an earthquake rocks San Francisco killing Emma's father and leaving her penniless. Now, both Izzy and Emma are determined to prove they are worthy and kindle, so they can each make something of their lives.

This is a fun novel about determination, friendship, and hope. This book deftly covers concepts about self-worth, money, and social inequalities in a way that is accessible to middle grade readers. It reminds the reader that your net worth is not what determines your actual worth, rather it is your character. It also focuses on the magic of friendship and the need to depend on others for help as well as believing in yourself. Colman presented a unique and interesting magical world. I liked the idea of house dragons and magic being compared to a fire. I think there is a larger message within the book about the power of the human spirit and how if we work together, we can overcome injustice.

With thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group - Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Where do I even begin with how much I enjoyed this book?!? Such a delightful MG debut and I loved the premise, the characters and the themes. I thought the magic was well crafted and the book made me want to do some additional research on NYC in the early 1900's. I can't wait to share this one with my students!

Also, while you will likely read many reviews connecting The Gilded Girl to The Little Princess, I think it also should be included in the category of, "What Should I Read Next if I Liked Harry Potter?" The themes of magic and worth definitely gave me similar vibes to Harry Potter and Amari and the Night Brothers.

This charming reimagining of The Little Princess captures all the joy of the original. The orphaned rich girl is suddenly alone and working as a maid in her old school. However, the story differs in important ways. First, the supporting characters are more fully developed. We are rooting for Emma, but also her pals Izzy and Tim, knowing their heartache. Colman also pushes the reader to think about the class issues imbedded in the story in a way that makes it more interesting rather than seeming preachy. Finally, the fast paced story and magical elements keep the reader engaged and turning pages.

The Gilded Girl is about Emma, a student at Miss Posterity's Academy for Practical Magic, and Izzy, a servant at the school, and their quest to kindle their magic. After disaster strikes Emma, the girls team up to help one another. The character development by Alyssa Colman was well done. The characters were interesting and grew throughout the novel. Readers will enjoy this fast-paced magical tale.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Kids are going to love this one! It is immediately engaging and the characters are lovely. You can't help but love Emma right away, and her growth from naive, rich girl to champion for equality for all solidifies her charm. And that cat! I couldn't wait to find out more about him after one look at the cover. I look forward to ordering for our school library.

And now I must also put The Little Princess on my to-read list as I don't think I've ever read it!

I was excited to read The Gilded Girl. The description sounded magical and the cover art is gorgeous. However, this book is simply a retelling of A Little Princess with magic. There is nothing unique about it. The characters are the same (albeit with different names), the story framework is the same, the outcome is the same. Even the piece of jewelry that Miss Minchon/Miss Prosperity takes from Sara/Emma is in the story. Of course, in The Gilded Girl there is magic, but I wanted something that was unique. The author could have taken the story in a different direction, but she simply retold a class with magical elements.

Readers will still enjoy the book, especially young readers who are unfamiliar with A Little Princess, but Colman's retelling wasn't daring enough to keep me entertained. It's a worthy effort, but I wish the author would have made this story her own.

Wow! What a beautiful debut novel that got me thinking about injustices and prejudices that occur everyday and how we need to be fighting for change and not settling into privilege.
In the story, only the rich can kindle their magic. Servants magic has to be snuffed. The kids with parents who could afford a prestigious school to teach magic are able to attend and kindle their magic safely. That is where the main character, Emma, starts her journey. The twists and turns that happen along the way bring her to realize that her understanding of how life is (from what her Papa taught her), isn’t really true.
The other main character, a servant girl named Izzy, is almost to the age where her magic can be sparked, but since she’s just a servant she has to let it be snuffed. Or does she?

A beautiful debut from Colman that pulled me in from the start. You can truly visualize and feel like you are with Emma as she journeys to New York City to attend the Academy for Practical Magic. The building itself is so magical and complex, yet the author describes it with ease. The relationship of Emma and the “servant” Izzy is quite magical from the start to the end. I’m not one that can easily connect with and follow with a fantasy story, but this one was done remarkably well. I could see how this could even be adapted into a movie one day, too!

Thank you to the author for sharing this eARC with #BookAllies!

Every once in awhile, a story comes along that makes you wish you'd thought of the idea. This is one of those stories for me; the A LITTLE PRINCESS retelling (without the problematic aspects plus magic) will captivate you from the very first page. Written in a dual POV, you'll be rooting that the characters learn to kindle their magic--and keep it––until the very end.

Absolutely loved this debut MG fantasy--think a retelling of The Little Princess, with magic! Adored the alternative world of an NYC and America where some of the greatest architectural and technological advances were achieved through magic. Izzy and Emma are delightful characters to root for, seemingly so different in their goals and perspectives... and yet, not. And the descriptions of the Kindling ceremony, where a young person's magic comes to life, are marvelous. Young readers will love this story of characters coming into their own magic, and learning to understand their truth worth.

I enjoyed reading this book, which is like A Little Princess with magic. Deep themes examined throughout, of people’s inherent value/ worth, friendship, kindness...

A Little Princess was one of my very favorite books as a kid, so this book had some big shoes to fill, but it more than surpassed my expectations!! This is such a clever, magical reimagining of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic story, done in a way that keeps the old-fashioned tone of the story but also brings in all kinds of cool elements that today's young readers will love. The magic was delightfully crafted, both dangerous and dazzling. I adored the worldbuilding, especially the magical school with moving rooms. The relationship between Emma and Izzy was incredibly well developed and dynamic, and I loved how they worked together to reach their goals in a way that allowed each girl to shine. And there's a house dragon! How could you not love a house dragon? This whole book was an utter joy to read, and I'm going to be recommending it highly to all the MG kids and parents I know.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC for review.

Quite simply, this book is magic.

The Gilded Girl is told from the perspectives of Emma, a wealthy tween beginning her magical education, and Izzy, a servant at the school she is attending. The author did a wonderful job of fleshing out both girls, giving them enough back story to make them seem *real* without bogging us down with two many details.

In this reality, everyone is born with the ability to do magic. But unless it is kindled, that magic is snuffed. Over time, the wealthy elite developed elaborate rules and rituals to ensure that only the "worthy" (aka, the wealthy) would be able to kindle their magic. For a servant to kindle their magic is criminal - but that doesn't stop Izzy from dreaming.

Forced together through impossible circumstances, Izzy and Emma cautiously then eagerly work together to bring lasting change to their city. The last few chapters of this book had me in tears. It was absolutely lovely. I can't wait to purchase for my library.

I loved this story and it's special combination of A LIttle Princess, Gilded Age NYC, and magic. It's cozy and heartwarming, beautifully written, with well developed characters. A true pleasure to read.

The Gilded Girl beautifully combines fantasy, history and two little girls who come from two different worlds but need each other to survive. With clever and entertaining worldbuilding, it was a joy to see their friendship blossom and watch them realize that wealth doesn’t define someone’s character. I am already looking forward to Emma and Izzy’s other magical adventures in the next book. I highly recommend it!

The Gilded Girl is a charming retelling of the classic A Little Princess. Set in an alternate turn-of-the-20th-century New York City where magic is a reality but only allowed to the upper class, it's the story of two 12yos overcoming their circumstances in order to change not just their own lives but those of everyone whose magic is snuffed out at the age of 12 just because they're not wealthy enough. It's filled with creative elements that kids will love like a school of magic where the rooms shift places from day to day and a fussy but loveable house dragon named Figgy Pudding.

Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to read an arc of the delightfully charming, The Gilded Girl by debut author Alyssa Colman. The magical elements of the story made me feel like I looked through a stain-glass window despite the dreary yet historically accurate circumstances happening outside of Miss Posterity's Academy. I loved the way Colman honestly depicted the harsh times of New York' City's history with references to the stout differences between wealth and poverty, including hints at a rising strike with the young Newsies. Emma and Izzy's voices were distinct enough to tell the difference between them yet both also played off each other quite nicely. Every new surprise that came with the children growing closer to their kindling ceremony held my interest and made it hard for me to put the book down. With nods to The Little Princess, I believe The Gilded Girl will charm any reader and warm his/her heart from start to finish, and I cannot wait to buy this for my elementary library.

What a delightful tale! Even if you're not familiar with A Little Princess, you'll still enjoy this gorgeously-written, fast-paced story of Emma and Izzy, who are hoping to kindle their magic before it snuffs out. The author has created a fully-realized magical world, with clever details, the perfect villain, loyal friends, and social commentaries that are timely today. Plus, BEST. OPENING. LINE. EVER!

Grateful to read an e-arc of this beautiful novel!

The Kindling ceremony is a right of passage fir every 12 year old that is if you are of any worth. The Gilded Girl takes place in a world where magic is not hidden, many people use it to improve the life of those around them. From New York to San Francisco the wonderful workings of magic can be seen. There is just one catch, every person who possesses this power is rich and prosperous. If you are born poor and lowly you are forced to snuff out your magic never allowing it to show through any spark or flame after your 12th year and not kindling during the December Winds.
Emma finds herself in a precarious position. At the start of this book she is the daughter of a world renowned magical architecture, her papa is rich and well known and this alone gains her access into the prestigious Miss Posterity’s Academy for Practical Magic. The school guarantees that she will learn the magic needed to complete the kindling ceremony in order to retain her magic and live a life full of all the benefits that come with magical abilities. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances cause Emma’s life to be turned upside down causing her to go from being a pupil at the school to being a servant. Through this journey and her friendship with Izzy, a lowly servant girl, Emma learns the true value of a person and their ability to do magic is not based on their monetary value. This book was fascinating, full of twists, adventure and wonder.