The key to extraordinary

by Natalie Lloyd

Paper Book, 2016

Status

Available

Call number

813.6

Genres

All Topics

Fiction

Collection

YA Salon

Publication

Scholastic 2016.

Description

Twelve-year old orphan Emma Casey lives by a haunted graveyard in her Tennessee town, giving tours, and helping her brother and Granny Blue with the family bakery, and waiting for the destiny dream of her ancestors--but when it comes it shows her only a key, and she finds that she must solve a ghostly mystery that has haunted her town for generations.

User reviews

LibraryThing member BillieBook

My first full book of 2016 needed to be something light and uplifting and Natalie Lloyd didn't let me down. I don't love it quite as much as I loved A Snicker of Magic, but I liked it quite a bit.

And, now, would someone please make me some peach-lavender muffins?

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LibraryThing member acargile

If you liked Snicker of Magic, you’ll love this magical novel as well.

Emma comes from a long line of women who dream of their destinies. Each woman dreams of a field of blue flowers; in the field, there is a clue as to her destiny. Emma learned of this legacy before her mother’s death, contrary

to what her grandmother wanted. Emma’s grandmother doesn’t believe in the dream; in fact, she ripped her page in the Book of Days, the book each woman’s writes her destiny. They come from a long line of courageous women with this book as the guide.

Emma loves her life. She’s been raised in the family cafe that sits at the cemetery. She gives daily tours of the cemetery. Afterwards, people congregate in the cafe for Boneyard Brew, the special hot chocolate the cafe sales. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough money coming in, so Blue, Emma’s grandmother, is considering selling the cafe, which devastates Emma. The only hope is to find the famous treasure that the ghosts sing about; only the pure of heart can hear the song. She hears it and with the help of her best friend Cody Bell and a new friend Earl, Emma is determined to put the clues together and save the cafe.

I love Natalie Lloyd’s writing because it is lyrical, hopeful, and beautiful. She presents characters who are kind and faithful to family and friends. The setting of the novel is in an isolated area where magical flowers bloom and seem to have powers. The “bad guy” is a caricature of the stereotypical villain that isn’t well flushed out, but the story is about the “good guys,” possibility, love, and hope. I loved it.

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LibraryThing member MrsDruffel

Emma Pearl Casey is no ordinary girl. She cannot wait for her Destiny Dream. Every girl in her family has had one. What will it be? As the journey begins for Emma, she finds out there is more than her family’s Destiny Dream that is extraordinary. Her home, her town, and her friends discover the

power of friendship, determination, and kindness.

I cannot say enough how much I LOVED this book. Author Natalie Lloyd is a master storyteller, intertwining magical elements, history, bullies, friendship, family, and love. The characters are easy to fall in love with. I was rooting for Emma and her friends the whole way through. If you pick this story up, you will not put it down! Perfect for grades 4 and up.

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LibraryThing member theretiredlibrarian

Texas Bluebonnet Nominee. If you like a story with just a bit of magic and friendly helpful ghosts, this is a good book.

LibraryThing member Robinsonstef

Emma lives with her brother and her grandmother over the family cafe. Their restaurant is known for its Boneyard Brew, a specialty hot chocolate, which makes folks feel better whenever they have it. Their café is right up against an old cemetery, which has more to it than meets the eye. Emma knows

the graveyard pretty well since she gives tours of it all summer long. Emma always tries to look on the bright side of things, even if it's not that easy when she has “the big empty”. She's hoping to have “the dream of her ancestors”, her destiny dream, at any time now. All the women in her family have had it, and they've gone on to do great and magnificent things. When Emma finds out that her grandmother, Blue, is going to have to sell the café to a developer she is determined to do whatever she can to keep it in her family. When she has her destiny dream she knows what she has to do to save the café. But will she be able to do it? Is the risk to great? Will she and her friends be able to find the answer in time? You'll have to hunt down the answer with them!

I was excited to read The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd and was not disappointed! Her writing continues to be beautiful and touching. I love the characters because they are each unique and I was able to relate to them. The names used in the book are memorable. I like the tale of friendship and standing up to bullies that was prevalent. I also like the idea of our destiny and that we can fulfill it many different ways. I would love to visit Blackbird Hollow, where Emma and her family live. It sounds like the most wonderful place. The cemetery seems to be an interesting spot to learn more about too! I recommend this book to kids in third grade and up who like realistic fiction mixed with magical elements. Having hope and believing anything is possible are two keys to being extraordinary.

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