cover image Marigold Star

Marigold Star

Elise Primavera. HarperCollins, $16.99 (240p) ISBN 978-0-06-056949-5

Marigold lives in magical Brambly- crumbly with her parents, baby sister, and talking pet dragon, Lightning, and she has a number of problems. There’s the star over her head that has everyone convinced Marigold is “marked for greatness” and that has recently begun blinking, but Marigold doesn’t seem great at anything. She’s too frightened to even do a basic invisibility or flying spell, and her new sister steals all the attention at home. After Marigold loses her wand, she finds herself in the dangerous human world, with only the aid of a spell book from Granny Cabbage to help her discover her magic power and locate her wand before its missing status destroys Bramblycrumbly. Marigold makes friends with wonderful ease, a talent she dismisses until her quest reveals how powerful a gift it truly is. Delightfully imaginative characters populate the story, including a troll who knits and a friendless shadow boy. Vivid details in both the text and accompanying art bring Marigold’s magical world to life in this cheerful adventure by Primavera (I’m a Baked Potato!) that celebrates friendship and kindness. Ages 8–12. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (June)