A Pinch of Magic - by Michelle Harrison

About the Book

All Betty Widdershins wants is an adventure--one that takes her far away from Crowstone, the gloomy island where she's always lived. But instead of an adventure, Betty and her sisters, Fliss and Charlie, are given of a set of magical objects, each with its own powers: a scruffy carpet bag, a set of wooden nesting dolls, and a gilt-framed mirror. And these magical objects come with their own terrible secret: the sisters' family is haunted by a generations-long curse that prevents them from ever leaving their island--at the cost of death. The sisters set out to break the curse and free their family forever. But after stumbling upon a mysterious prisoner who claims to be able to help them, they find themselves in great danger. And in order to break the curse--and stay alive--they must unravel a mystery that goes back centuries, one that involves shipwrecks, smugglers, and sorcery of the most perilous kind.

Book Synopsis

A spellbinding middle grade fantasy about three sisters who go on a quest to break the curse that's haunted their family for generations.​

All Betty Widdershins wants is an adventure--one that takes her far away from Crowstone, the gloomy island where she's always lived. But instead of an adventure, Betty and her sisters, Fliss and Charlie, are given of a set of magical objects, each with its own powers: a scruffy carpet bag, a set of wooden nesting dolls, and a gilt-framed mirror. And these magical objects come with their own terrible secret: the sisters' family is haunted by a generations-long curse that prevents them from ever leaving their island--at the cost of death.

The sisters set out to break the curse and free their family forever. But after stumbling upon a mysterious prisoner who claims to be able to help them, they find themselves in great danger. And in order to break the curse--and stay alive--they must unravel a mystery that goes back centuries, one that involves shipwrecks, smugglers, and sorcery of the most perilous kind.

Review Quotes

"A gripping, atmospheric tale of sorcery, secrets, and sisterhood, infused with the titular pinch of magic." --Kirkus "In a coming-of-age journey that is emotional, dramatic, and magical, A Pinch of Magic packs more than a pinch of heart, exploring the love of three sisters, as well as curses, imprisonment, and adventure."--Booklist "A good choice for middle grade fairy-tale fans craving something with an occasionally dark twist, and some sisterly double crossing." --School Library Journal --

About the Author

Michelle Harrison is a full-time author who lives in Essex, England. Her first novel, The Thirteen Treasures, won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and has been published in sixteen countries, including the UK. It was followed by The Thirteen Curses and The Thirteen Secrets. Michelle has also written One Wish, a prequel to the Thirteen Treasures books; Unrest, a ghost story for older readers; and The Other Alice, a magical book about the power of stories.