Love Sugar Magic: A Mixture of Mischief
#3 of 3 in Love Sugar Magic Series
What’s inside...
The third book in the acclaimed, delightful, character-driven middle grade series about a family of Mexican American bakers who also happen to be brujas—witches! Leo Logroño may have discovered the true nature of her magical abilities, but her education in how to use them in her family’s magical bakery has only just begun. And that isn’t the only bit of trouble in her life: her family’s baking heirlooms have begun to go missing, and a new bakery called Honeybees has opened across the street, threatening to run Amor y Azúcar right out of business. With two of her sisters on a special spirit-hunting spring-break trip with her tía Paloma, and with Mamá busy guarding the bakery to keep away any more bad luck, Leo must work with her best friend, Caroline, and her sister Isabel to uncover who is stealing from the bakery and find a way to save the business. And that’s when a long-lost relative arrives at the door, mischief right behind him. . . . Anna Meriano’s unforgettable family of brujas returns for one more course of amor, azúcar, and magia.
Character compass
Leonora 'Leo' LogroñO
Isabel 'Izzy' LogroñO
Caroline
Marisol LogroñO
Abuelo LogroñO
Discussion points
How did Leo’s journey of self-discovery change her view on friendship and family?
What did you learn about the importance of honesty through the characters’ adventures and secrets?
How do the magical elements in the story enhance the relationships between the characters?
What would you have done differently if you were in Leo’s shoes?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in our hometown?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the characters' experiences to their own life, such as handling a secret or learning from a mistake.
Discuss the cultural elements in the story, like Mexican traditions, and how they compare to your family's traditions or those they are familiar with.
Use the magical aspects of the story to spark imagination, asking your child to describe their own magical world or magical powers they might want.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, and explain why they chose it.
Create a fun activity by baking or cooking a recipe mentioned in the book together, discussing the themes of the book while you do.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of family and tradition
Explanation: The protagonist, Leo, learns and participates in her family's magical baking traditions, discovering the importance of family history and customs.
Real-World Application: Children can appreciate and engage in their own family's traditions and history, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.
Example Lesson: Value of honesty
Explanation: Throughout the book, Leo faces consequences for hiding secrets from her family members, teaching readers about the repercussions of dishonesty.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice transparency and honesty in their interactions with others, understanding that trust is foundational to relationships.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Leo learns to take responsibility for her own actions, especially when her attempts at using magic go awry.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of owning up to their mistakes and taking steps to rectify them, a valuable skill for personal development.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The character navigates various challenges using her wit and the help of her family, which highlights effective problem-solving strategies.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to think critically and creatively to solve problems, a key skill in academics and everyday life.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Leo shows empathy towards her friends' and family's feelings throughout the book, learning to consider perspectives other than her own.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop empathy, enhancing their ability to understand and share feelings with others, promoting better interpersonal relationships.