Midnight Gulch, Tennessee, used to be a magical place, a town where people could sing up thunderstorms and dance up sunflowers. But that was long ago, before a curse drove the magic away. Twelve-year-old Felicity Pickles knows all about things like that since her nomadic mother is cursed with a wandering heart. But when she arrives in Midnight Gulch, Felicity thinks her luck’s about to change. A “word collector,” Felicity sees words everywhere — shining above strangers, tucked into church eves, and tangled up her dog’s floppy ears — but Midnight Gulch is the first place she’s ever seen the word “home.” And then there’s Jonah the Beedle, a mysterious, spiky-haired do-gooder who shimmers with words Felicity’s never seen before, words that make Felicity’s heart beat a little faster. Felicity wants to stay in Midnight Gulch more than anything, but first, she’ll need to figure out how to bring back the magic, breaking the spell that’s been cast over the town . . . and her mother’s broken heart.

This was a spindiddly book, as Felicity would say! I really loved Jonah; he was an adorable best friend for Felicity, and yet not cliche. Also, the cover. Can you tell yet how often I judge books by their covers? I love books with bright, colorful covers that stretch across the whole book.

Things I Didn’t Like

1. Underlying basic plot line, (without magic and all) is kind of cliche. A girl and her single mom, traveled all their life, the girl really wants to find somewhere to set down roots, etc. BUT, the magic, and the curse, and all the word building obviously helped off set that.
2. Felicity Pickle’s name. Okay, not super important, I know, but I had a cat named Felicity, and then there’s the American Girl Doll named Felicity, and, I don’t know, Felicity didn’t quite work for me for her character. Also, pickles. I don’t like pickles…
3. Unrealistic amount of ice cream eaten, and lack to further the explanation of magic behind said ice cream. They ate, like 3 cartons of ice cream every day. I love ice cream, believe me, but wooooow.

Things I Did Like

1. Felicity’s word collecting. Throughout the book, she sees words sort of floating around, and she collects them. I really like some of the obscure words she finds, and some of the not real words she finds, too.
2. The creativity of the town peoples’ ‘powers.’ Like, not just super strength, or flying, but collecting words, knowing what someone needs, and trapping shadows.
3. The sense of community. Last, but not least, I really liked all the people in Midnight Gulch. I love middle grade books with lots of sort of ‘neighbors,’ who may not have a super significant part in the plot line, but love the main character all the same.

This was a cute, fun read, good for people who like words and family/friendship heartwarming community kind of books. Have a great week everyone!