A Taste of Magic
#1 of 2 in Park Row Magic Academy Series
on Goodreads (469)
What’s inside...
NYT bestseller J. Elle makes her MG debut in the delightful story of a girl who bakes up a plan to save her inner-city magic school. Twelve-year-old Kyana has just discovered she’s a witch! This means classes every Saturday at Park Row Magic Academy, a learning center hidden in the back of the local beauty shop, and Kyana can’t wait to learn spells to help out at home. The only downside is having to keep her magic a secret from her BFF, Nae. But when the magic school loses funding, the students must pay huge fees at the fancy school across town or lose their magic! Determined to help, Kyana enters a baking contest with a big cash prize. Will she be able to keep up her grades while preparing for the competition and without revealing her magic? What about when a taste of magic works its way into her cupcakes? Exciting up-and-coming author J. Elle combines the perfect balance of real-world issues and magical mishaps to create real magic.
Discussion points
What did you think about how the characters used magic to solve their problems? Could those solutions work without magic?
How did the characters' feelings change throughout the story, and what events influenced those changes?
If you could have any magical power from the book, which one would you choose and why?
How do you think teamwork played a role in the story? Can you share an example from the book where teamwork was essential?
What is one lesson you learned from the story that you can apply in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express which character they felt most connected to and why, fostering a deeper understanding of character development and empathy.
Discuss the moral dilemmas presented in the book and challenge your child to think about what they would do in similar magical situations.
Highlight the creative aspects of the magic in the story, asking your child to imagine and describe their own magical world.
Use examples from the book to discuss the importance of friendship and cooperation, relating it back to your child's personal experiences with friends or in school.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a scene from the book, which can spur a discussion about the story’s themes and their artistic interpretation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Sharing
Explanation: In 'A Taste of Magic', characters often share their magical treats with each other, fostering a spirit of generosity.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sharing toys or snacks with their peers, which can help develop social bonds and friendships.
Example Lesson: Value of Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters must collaborate using their unique magical abilities to solve problems, emphasizing that teamwork often leads to success.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to participate in group activities or team sports where cooperation is essential for achieving common goals.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: The protagonist uses magical ingredients to create new and unique culinary delights, showcasing how creativity can lead to surprising and positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore creative arts and crafts, or invent new games, fostering an innovative spirit from a young age.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Challenges
Explanation: When recipes go wrong or unexpected events happen, the characters learn to adapt and persevere instead of giving up.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that mistakes are part of learning and that persistence is key to overcoming difficulties.
Example Lesson: Understanding and Appreciation of Diversity
Explanation: The story includes a variety of characters from different magical backgrounds, teaching the beauty and strength of diversity.
Real-World Application: This can help children learn to appreciate cultural diversity and promote inclusivity among their friends and classmates.