Like A Charm: 1

I bought this for an 8 year old who is a firm fan of Elle's previous books, but because I think it's pitched at slightly older children I read it first to check whether it would raise any tricky topics we'd need to discuss. In fact it was totally fine and I have to say both 8yo and I are huge fans (it's probably our favourite of all Elle's books so far, though they are all so different it's hard to really pick a favourite!) It's a total page turner - magical and exciting (but not too scary - 8yo is not a fan of too much peril!) I have to admit I did a little involuntary squeak when I got to the end and found out there will be a sequel...This would be a particularly brilliant read for dyspraxic, autistic, ADHD or other neurodivergent children, or anyone who knows what it's like not to be with the "in" crowd/to be a bit different. But it's such a fun and exciting story I really think anybody would enjoy it.

Magical story with great emotional depth and heart. The MC is a fierce, headstrong heroine who is determined to help her fractured family. The characters, powers and world Elle McNicholl has created is exquisite and thrilling. If I could give it more than five stars, I would.

I am utterly in awe of Elle McNicoll. Once again she has gifted the world a relatable, brave and charismatic heroine in Ramya Knox. Coping with bereavement, emotionally distant parents, the upheaval of a house move at a young age and all of the othering which goes with being neurodivergent has given Ramya a perceptive and uncompromising toughness which even the reader, let alone her fellow characters, has to earn the right to a glimpse of the compassion beneath it. Ramya is dyspraxic and the heroism of the narrative does not shy away from allowing her a very real frustration when she struggles to do things; the important lesson is that she is able to live alongside that frustration without allowing society's prejudices to make her blame herself and feel worthless. Her growing bond with her cousin Marley is treated with an edgy humour as well as the nuanced complexity of any developing teenage friendship. Ramya's courage and resourcefulness in the face of peril is a delight to read and the magical / fantasy aspects of the story are woven into its everyday issues in a way which makes the whole sequence of events achingly believable. The city of Edinburgh is a character in its own right; having lived there for two decades, I related strongly to its atmosphere and mystique. The writing is clear and flows beautifully; emotions are conveyed with exactly the right amount of intensity and sparing description. Read in one afternoon with breaks every so often to process and take in the message of the story; as a natural people pleaser (Ramya would wipe the floor with me!), it gave me a lot of food for thought.

In spite of the book arriving with the back cover corner ripped off as in the picture I had to keep it as I had enjoyed the author’s first two books so much I couldn’t wait to read this - I had even pre ordered it!The story was really good, very much in the Lari Don style about fabled beasts. The reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because in the author’s first two books, autism and ADHD are an integral part of the story and I felt I found out more about what it’s like to be neurodivergent, much more than any course I’d been on. I expected to find the same with Like A Charm and dyspraxia, but it didn’t come across to me as being part and parcel of the book, it was part of the book but didn’t have the same depth given to it. I read it and thoroughly enjoyed it and will pre order the follow up!

My 9 year old read ‘A kind of Spark’ and ‘Show us who you are’ and absolutely loved them. She could relate to the characters and we had lots of really good chats about the characters in the stories. So when ‘Like a Charm’ came out, we had to get it straight away and it hasn’t disappointed. We are three quarters of the way through it and it has us both hooked. This is another wonderful book by Elle McNicoll. I think every year 5-6 classroom in the country should have her books.

My 9 year old son has dyspraxia and really related to the main character in this book. We both laughed and cried throughout, its wonderfully written, we were keen to read more and more! A true celebration of the strengths of being neurodivergent.

I'm such an Elle McNicoll fan girl (at 36) but this 3rd novel from Elle was brilliant. I love the neurodivergent representation. This book is paced so well and full of adventure. I'm so excited for part 2.

I think everything Elle McNicoll has written is brilliant but I think this is probably my favourite yet. Ramya has such a strong voice and her conviction, courage and embracing of her neurodiversity is compelling. I loved the sense of place, the immersion in magic and the dark adventure at the heart of this story. I would recommend this whole-heartedly.