The Key to Extraordinary - Hardcover

Lloyd, Natalie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0545552745 ISBN 13: 9780545552745

Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2016

Synopsis

Dream Big. Be Extraordinary.

Everyone in Emma's family is special. Her ancestors include Revolutionary War spies, brilliant scientists, and famous musicians--every single one of which learned of their extraordinary destiny through a dream. For Emma, her own dream can't come soon enough. Right before her mother died, Emma promised that she'd do whatever it took to fulfill her destiny, and she doesn't want to let her mother down. But when Emma's dream finally arrives, it points her toward an impossible task--finding a legendary treasure hidden in her town's cemetery. If Emma fails, she'll let down generations of extraordinary ancestors . . . including her own mother. But how can she find something that's been missing for centuries and might be protected by a mysterious singing ghost? With her signature blend of lyrical writing, quirky humor, and unforgettable characters, Natalie Lloyd's The Key to Extraordinary cements her status as one of the most original voices writing for children today.

About this title

About the Author

Natalie Lloyd is the New York Times bestselling author of novels full of hope, wonder, and magic for young readers. Her books include: A Snicker of Magic, The Key to Extraordinary, Over the Moon, Hummingbird, and The Witching Wind. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with her husband Justin, and their three spoiled dogs. Visit her online at natalielloyd.com

Reviews

Gr 3-6-A young girl from a long line of special women fights to save her home. Emma, like all of the women in her family, is a Wildflower. Each woman is destined to live an extraordinary life, experiencing a Destiny Dream that reveals her unique path. Shortly after the death of her ex-rocker mom, Emma feels a deep emptiness, but she consoles herself by helping out in the Boneyard Cafe, the family business situated on the edge of a cemetery, and giving tours of the cemetery to tourists. The café has fallen on hard times, and when it looks like Granny Blue, her tough, tattooed, ex-boxer grandmother, might sell the place to a developer, Emma looks for answers within the local folklore about a hidden treasure and a ghost. When she finally has her own Destiny Dream, it seems to point to the treasure, but the clues are frustratingly vague. With the help of a small cast of quirky characters and magical flora, Emma finds her true destiny and eases her troubles through the journey. The prose is bubbly and light, with a cheerful, optimistic tone despite some of the seemingly darker elements. Though not as multilayered as Ingrid Law's Savvy (Dial, 2008), this novel will be appreciated by younger middle grade readers who enjoy mysteries with an ample dose of magic and whimsy. VERDICT Fans of Lloyd's first book, A Snicker of Magic (Scholastic, 2015), will be pleased with this frothy, pleasant tale.-Kiera Parrott, School Library Journalα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

From The Key to Extraordinary

It is a known fact that the most extraordinary moments in a girl’s life come disguised as ordinary days.

It is a known fact for me, at least.

Because that morning started out mostly the same as all mornings before: I woke up to an ache in my chest, the smell of chocolate, and the sound of the ghost making a racket in the kitchen.

Now, I’m not the sort to dwell on doom and sorrow. Life is too short for that. But I should at least try to describe the ache briefly:

It is not the kind that comes from eating tacos too late at night.

It’s the kind that comes from being left behind. I think my heart is smart enough to know there’s a place I should be filling with new memories, new jokes, and wondrous adventures with the one person I loved most of all. But that person is gone now. And so, my heart has a giant hole. I call it The Big Empty.

I squeezed my eyes shut tight and reminded myself of these affirmations

: Tonight I could have my Destiny Dream.

Edition details

• Publisher: Scholastic Press
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0545552745
• ISBN 13: 9780545552745
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240