Emma and the Love Spell

Ireland, Meredith. Emma and the Love Spell
January 23, 2024 by Bloomsbury Children's Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Emma (who was adopted from Korea as an infant) and her parents live in a small, East Coast town that is sort of a budget Salem, Massachusetts. There's a history of witchcraft, and much of the local economy is tied to that past, including the occult themed giftshop the parents run. The family moved to the town a few years ago, when Emma's father's aunt left them the house and shop when she passed away. Emma's father had been a librarian in Boston, but his job was cut, and her mother is a preschool teacher. Once arriving in town, Emma started exhibiting magical abilities, usually tied to emotional highs and lows. When she finds out that her very best friend, Avageline (whom she calls Lina), is going to move to New Orleans because her parents are getting divorced, Emma brews up a storm and rushes home. Her father calms her down with breathing exercises and tea, and reminds her that she needs to stay in control of her magic. The parents are planning a short trip, during which time Emma will stay with neighbor and local baker, Mrs. Cornwall, so they think twice about going. Emma convinces them that these episodes don't happen very often, and that it will be okay. Her plan is to harness her magic to make Lina's parents fall back in love so a move isn't necessary. She's not quite sure how to do this, even though she has the help of Oliver, her great aunt's talking parrott, and Persimmon, a cat who can read minds. After some misplaced anger helps a tree to grow, and Mrs. Cornwall sees it, the two have a talk. Mrs. Cornwall is a witch, and her enchantments are why everyone in town thinks her bakery is fantastic. Emma has always thought it was so-so; this is because it's harder to enchant a fellow witch. Mrs. Cornwall makes Emma feel uneasy, but since she needs help with her plans for Emma's parents, she goes along and helps with the spell. Mrs. Cornwallmakes a cake with a love potion in it for the bake sale Emma is setting up to replicate how Lina's parents met. When Emma starts to realize that Mrs. Cornwall may not have her best interests at heart, will Emma be able to strike out on her own and save her relationship with Lina, whom she begins to realize she likes more than just a friend?

Strengths: Many younger middle school students (myself at that age included!) believe that with just the right circumstances, they would be able to do magic. If that magic could make their best friend not move away, even better! I did enjoy the fact that Lina was not as distraught over the possibility as Emma was, and was willing to make the best of her situation. Middle school is a time when many students have to deal with a divorce, so it was realistic that Lina's parents are shown fighting and sniping at each other. It's also a time when parents start giving children more freedom, and having Mrs. Cornwall watch Emma while her parents traveled made for an interesting interchange. There's a few incantations, spell books, and a family history of magic, as well as some solid attempts by Emma at getting her magic to work. All of these will appeal a lot to nascent witches. Emma and Lina's relationship will also appeal to middle school students who are often experiencing first crushes and romantic relationships. 

Weaknesses: I wish that Emma had been an 8th grader; while my 6th graders will pick this up, I'm not sure my older students will. I would have liked the explanation for the family magic a bit earlier in the book, but the target demographic might prefer thinking that magical powers can just sort of happen. They will also enjoy the connection between magical manifestations and emotions more than I did. 
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Harrison's A Pinch of Magic , Johnson's Ellie Engle Saves Herself, or Royce's Conjure Island. I'll probably buy a copy, but it wasn't my favorite.