The Mystwick School of Musicraft by Jessica Khoury
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on January 21, 2020
ISBN: 132862563X
Pages: 368
Genres: Fantasy
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
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Khoury uses all the familiar wizard school tropes and structure to create a fantasy world for grades 4-7 where magic is in the music.   Twelve year old Amelia, who lives with her disapproving guardian, auditions in hopes to attend her mother’s alma mater the Mystwick School of Musicraft.  Amelia’s mother died in a magical accident that Amelia believes should be pursued or avenged.  Picked up by the school’s magical zeppelin and placed in one of the four musically related houses, Amelia quickly meets her nemesis and finds her musical and her magical abilities put the test.   Fantasy fans of all things wizardly will enjoy the magic of music.  Did you know that singing jitterbugs are magical?  The chapter headings are humorous musical puns and serviceable full-page black and white illustrations by Federica Frenna are scattered throughout the book.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Youth Services Librarian, Springvale Public Library