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Salt Magic

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Salt Magic
Written by Hope Larson
Illustrated by Rebecca Mock
Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House, 2021. Graphic Novel.

Vonceil is twelve years-old and her older brother, Elber, has just returned home after serving for two years in the war. Vonceil and her brother have always had a close relationship but he isn't the same after the war, he has become dull and serious.

Elber and his girlfriend Amelia quickly marry and soon after the wedding a beautiful French woman comes into town. This mysterious woman in white, asks Elber to leave his new bride and go away with her but Elber refuses. After being spurned the woman casts a spell on the family spring, the only source of water in the area, and turns it into salt water. Vonceil is determined to save the family farm and their spring so she sets out on a quest to break the curse. The journey will stretch Vonceil in ways she cannot imagine and along the way she will learn what it means to grow up 

The artwork in this novel is stunning with a lovely pastel color pallet that adds so much to the story. This is a very entertaining read. It starts out as historical fiction and then slides into a fairytale with turns and plot twists that will keep you turning pages. A spellbinding read that middle grade readers will enjoy.




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