Mischievous Magical Maia Malone (Paperback)

Paperback. Broomsticks, alligators, gargoyles, and a lighthouse stretching up totouch the sky. When nine-year-old Maiadescribes her drawings, they come to life with comic and chaotic results - butcould losing the family she loves be the price she has to pay?After finding herself transformed one time too many, Maia's older sisterNeeta snaps and tells Maia she's adopted. Maias world crumbles. Thinking herfamily would be better without her, she sets off on a daring and dangerousquest armed only with her pencils, her notebook and a faded photo of a womanshe resembles.A rollercoaster ride full of surprises, with themes of adoption, bullying, friendship, identity, and the scary responsibility of having a powerfulmagical gift. Richly illustrated by Abigail Hicks. WhyThis Book Belongs in Your School or Library1.Themes: Family, cross cultural identity, diversity: The book is arealistic story about siblings, about families that dont fit the traditionalmould. The father works with refugees, the mother is a writer and bothdaughters are adopted. Use/ Misuse of power: Maias gift gives her great power,but she doesnt always think of the consequences. Neeta uses knowledge about Maias beingadopted in a spark of rage and the cost, emotionally, to her as well as toMaia and the family, is huge. Then theres the villain, Uncle Morgan whomisuses his power as a detective inspector.Identity: The question of what family means, who we are,how we define or find ourselves. Maias best friends are a talking mouse whothinks hes an elephant (identity) and Graham whos autistic (neurodiversity).She and Neeta (11) are both adopted, with different cultural backgrounds. 2. Strong,credible charactersMaia is a feisty, courageous female lead whose magic power comes directlyfrom her creativity and imagination writing and drawing. This book tellsevery child who loves making things that their imagination is a superpower. The sibling dynamic between Maia and Neeta isauthentic. They bicker, protect each other, misunderstand each other, and atthe end hold each other tight. Uncle Morgan (aka "Morg the Borg")is a gleefully awful villain. Mamma Nupp, their great-aunt, is a wonderful,independent elderly character who lives alone, paints, and never needsrescuing. 3. Anaccessible, but genuinely ambitious readThe story moves fast and the writer never talks down to herreaders. Chapters are short enough to assign or read aloud in class. Thevocabulary is rich, but context driven. Age range: 710; ideal read-aloud for 6+; independent readfor 8+SuggestedLinks To School CurriculaEnglish/ Literacy 1. Oral Language Chapters are short, dialogue-rich, and full of comic timing;great to read aloud. Teachers can model expressive reading, character voices,and pacing. Discuss: What would YOUR power be if you had a magic powerand how would you use it? If you could make something you drew come to life,what would you draw? Hot-seating activity: students interview Maia, Neeta, orUncle Morgan in character.2. Reading Comprehension Predicting outcomes (Maia draws something what mighthappen?) Inference and deduction (Why does Neeta forbid Maia fromdrawing? What does that tell us about her?) Author's intention (Why is the villain a corrupt detectiverather than a monster?) Theme: the difference between using a gift and misusing it.3. WritingSedgwick is a screenwriter so the book has a very clearthree-act structure with a satisfying resolution that will be useful indiscussions abo Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.…