The Mystwick School of Musicraft (A Mystwick School Novel #1)

A few missed notes don’t prevent this novel from delivering a satisfying story even if the tune is familiar. (Fantasy. 9-13)

Copyright 2020 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission. 

In this enjoyable middle grade fantasy, a young woman achieves her dream of enrollment in a prestigious school where she creates magic through music, but when her admission is revealed to be the result of mistaken identity, she must prove her worth or risk expulsion. Flutist Amelia Jones, 12, yearns to follow in her deceased mother's footsteps as a Maestro, one of the world's most powerful and respected musicians. After arriving at the Mystwick School, however, she's plagued by mistakes, misfortune, and magical mishaps. Suspecting she may be haunted by the other Amelia Jones--the one whose death sparked her acceptance--Amelia enlists the aid of her antagonistic roommate Darby and her new friend Jai to figure out what's happening at Mystwick. Imagining a world in which music and magic interweave, Khoury (Last of Her Name) offers up a fanciful tale populated by engaging characters and concepts (such as the musicat, capable of purring people to sleep). The story's dark undertone and emotional stakes enhance Amelia's struggle to succeed against steep odds, and Federica Frenna's stylized illustrations further the book's charming feel. Ages 10-12. Author's agent: Lucy Carson, the Friedrich Agency. (Jan.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-7--Magic and music blend in this "Harry Potter"-esque fantasy. Amelia Jones has always longed to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a Maestro, or a musician who controls the magic of music. In Amelia's world, Musicraft powers everything from construction to farming to medicine. To achieve her dreams, she must get into the Mystwick School of Musicraft. But once she's accidentally admitted, she must prove to the school and to herself that she belongs there. Beautiful imagery describes magic emerging from instruments. Frenna's cartoons depict important moments but would have been more effective in color. The book's climax will send a chill down readers' spines. Like Harry Potter, Amelia is an orphan who lives with a relative who wants nothing to do with magic, and she also attends a magical boarding school that contains an enchanted forest and lake and divides students into four groupings (at Mystwick, the groups are wood, percussion, brass, and strings). VERDICT For fans of "Harry Potter" who don't want to stray too far from Hogwarts but are in need of new adventures.--Kerri Williams, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"The concept of musicraft—producing magic by playing music—feels fresh and is undeniably appealing, and who is going to say no to a trip to another magical boarding school? The storytelling flows, pulling readers along, and some particularly grand, magical sequences (including a legitimately epic ending) make this stand-alone fantasy a memorable adventure...full of heart, clever plotting, and strong world building that young readers, musicians and otherwise, will enjoy escaping to."—Booklist

"A toe-tapping fantasy novel mixes music and mystery."—Kirkus

"For fans of Harry Potter who don't want to stray too far from Hogwarts but are in need of new adventures." —School Library Journal

"At the core, this is a feel-good story about believing in one's ability, musical or otherwise." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books