Aleca Zamm Is a Wonder

On Aleca’s 10th birthday, her best friend predicts that “today is the day everything changes for Aleca Zamm.” And she’s right: Aleca quickly discovers that, by saying her own name, she can stop time. What does she do with this newfound power? Pull pranks on her classmates, teacher, and principal and cheat on a math test, of course. But before Aleca can move on to dangerously altering the course of human events, her heretofore unknown great-aunt Zephyr shows up to assure her that she’s not a witch but a magically talented “Wonder.” After the funny opening chapters that focus on Aleca’s use (and misuse) of her powers, the novel takes a prolonged detour into the Zamm family’s history of magic. While entertaining, it doesn’t move Aleca’s story along very far, and things seem to end before they ever really begin. Nevertheless, Rue’s (the Tig Ripley novels) heroine is memorably mischievous and strong-willed, which bodes well for her future adventures. Simultaneously available: Aleca Zamm Is Ahead of Her Time. Ages 7–10. Agent: Abigail Samoun, Red Fox Literary. (June)