Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

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Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the kind of middle-grade fantasy that feels both comforting and fresh. J. Elle takes familiar magic school elements and grounds them in a specific, vibrant community—a beauty shop in an inner-city neighborhood where the scent of home-cooking and the texture of cultural pride are as important as the spells.

The book doesn't shy away from real stakes (school closures, gentrification, economic pressure) but wraps them in an adventure that's ultimately about resourcefulness and community power. Kyana is a relatable protagonist dealing with very kid-sized problems: keeping secrets from her BFF, feeling overwhelmed by too many commitments, and that universal fear of letting people down.

The baking competition thread is genuinely fun and will have kids wanting to try the recipes (even without the magic dollop). At 4.7 stars on Amazon and positive reviews across the board, this delivers exactly what it promises: heart, humor, and hunger-inducing desserts. A solid, engaging read that doesn't talk down to its audience.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 8-12, hitting that sweet spot where kids are ready for longer chapter books with more complex plots but still want magic and heart. The themes of identity, community, and balancing responsibilities will resonate most with upper elementary and middle schoolers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Celebrates family bonds, community connection, and empathy for people facing difficulties. Models determination and resourcefulness as Kyana works to save her magic school. The story centers on multigenerational relationships (learning from memaw) and maintaining friendships while navigating secrets. Emotionally grounded in real struggles like school funding and balancing responsibilities.

Imaginative

86

Inventive world-building with a magic school hidden in the back of a beauty shop, wands matched to curl patterns, and magic infused into baking. The premise of combining everyday activities (baking competitions, beauty shops) with magical elements creates fresh, culturally-specific fantasy. Invites curiosity about how magic and mundane life intersect, though follows familiar middle-grade fantasy structure.

Safe

95

Middle-grade book with no content warnings. The main conflict revolves around school funding and keeping secrets from friends—age-appropriate stakes without violence, mature themes, or triggering content. Common Sense Media review notes empathy as a positive feature with no safety concerns flagged. Conflict is internal and social rather than dangerous.

Enriching

84

Explores themes of identity discovery, community advocacy, and balancing multiple responsibilities. Addresses real-world issues like underfunded schools and gentrification (having to move to an academy 'across town'). Celebrates Black culture, family traditions, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. The baking competition thread offers practical skill appreciation, though the book is primarily entertainment-focused rather than deeply educational.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Fresh take on magic school tropes—the academy is hidden in a beauty shop and wands match your curl pattern
Celebrates Black family traditions and intergenerational wisdom (learning to bake from memaw)
Tackles real issues like underfunded schools and community displacement without being heavy-handed
The magic-meets-baking premise is genuinely inventive and mouthwatering
Strong themes of resourcefulness, friendship, and fighting for what matters

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What to Watch For

The secret-keeping storyline might resonate differently depending on your kid's comfort with lying to friends (though it's handled with appropriate guilt and consequences)
Some kids might feel the pressure Kyana experiences juggling school, magic lessons, competition prep, and friendships
The funding crisis plot could spark questions about why some schools have resources and others don't

Conversation Starters

"If you found out you had a secret magical ability, would you want to tell your best friend or keep it hidden?"
"Kyana uses her memaw's baking skills to try to save her school. What skills or knowledge has someone in our family passed down to you?"
"The magic school loses its funding and kids have to choose between paying expensive tuition or losing their powers. What would you do in that situation?"
"Do you think it was okay for Kyana to use a little magic in the baking competition? Where's the line between using your talents and cheating?"

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