Like a charm by Elle McNicoll

London based, Scottish, bestselling, award-winning children's writer, Elle McNicholl has in Like a charm, a third novel that follows in the path of A kind of spark in its theme and atmospherics. Her books have been aptly described as "bewitching" and Like a charm certainly fits that bill. 

Travelling with the first person perspective of 12-year-old Ramya, the reader is immersed in a magical world that is powerfully set in Edinburgh, both in the dark corners and bookshops of the city, underground and across the River Forth to the isle of Inchkeith. A magical atmosphere of foreboding - of dark, swirling mists, statues that come to life and dangerous supernatural beings is conjured. Through this moody place stumbles Ramya, a lonely, neglected girl with dyspraxia. She slowly learns that she can see through glamour (a magical shield that supernatural beings use to hide themselves). This very special power grows as her courage is tested and as she negotiates challenges in both the human and supernatural world.

In Like a charm, the magical world exists in parallel to the human world and both worlds are subject to increasing division and upset. In a way, the book reads as a political allegorical story describing what goes wrong when humans don't work together in harmony. When there is division, evil escapes through the cracks. Ramya is a brave and feisty character. The reader can't help but cheer her on through all the danger and suspense.

McNicoll is autistic herself and a great champion of the representation of neurodivergence in literature. It is of no surprise that she has teamed with Knights Of, a multi award-winning inclusive publisher that focuses on "bringing underrepresented voices to the forefront of commercial children's publishing."

Like a charm is a touching, inspiring and cerebral book. It is for advanced readers who can understand multi-layered, complex and unpredictable storylines featuring a cast of characters. It is also for readers who might catch a glimpse of themselves in a character like Ramya and who need to learn that everybody is special and everyone can find a friend. It's for those who need to learn something about themselves - that if you do a good thing for the right reason, you can be light and free and beloved and stylish and glamorous! 

Highly recommended.

Themes: Family, Dyspraxia, Neurodivergence, Magic, Community,.

Wendy Jeffrey