The Marvelous Magic of Miss Mabel

By Natasha Lowe

Part of the Poppy Pendle series

A young witch seeks the truth about her mysterious origins and discovers the true meaning of family.

6.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 477 ratings

304 pages· 50,334 words· Est. 7 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

When a baby witch is found in a flowerpot, Nora's life changes forever. Named Mabel, the girl grows up with magical talents and a rebellious spirit. At Ruthersfield Academy, Mabel excels but faces trouble for her inventive potions. A shocking revelation about her origins sends her on a quest to uncover her true family. As Mabel, now Magnolia, searches for answers, she must decide if family is defined by blood or by those who love and care for her. Will she find her roots, or something even more profound?

From the publisher

Penderwicks meets Edward Eager in this charming coming of age tale about a young witch found in a flowerpot who’s on a journey to discover her roots.

The morning Nora Ratcliff finds a baby in the flowerpot on her front steps her life changes forever. She had always wanted a child, but after her husband passed away, Nora never thought she would have one, but her flowerpot child was a miracle and she decided to name her Mabel. As Mabel grew up, she showed a distinct talent for magic.

When Mabel is accepted to the prestigious witch school, Ruthersfield Academy, she excels at the magic curriculum but is constantly in trouble for experimenting and inventing her own potions. One day she is asked to write a paper on her magical roots and discovers the truth about her birth after a mean classmate blurts out what everyone seems to know except Mabel. Mabel is shocked but the revelation does explain a lot. In rebellion, Mabel changes her name to Magnolia and tries to understand why she was left in the flowerpot and who her birth family might be.

Will Mabel find the answers she’s looking for—or will she discover that families are people who love each other and look after each other and that’s most important of all.

At a glance

Format
Pages: 304
Words: 50,334
Reading age: 8–12
Audience: Middle Grade
Lexile: 870L

Themes & topics

Books about reaching your potential (self-actualization)Books about magic Books about identity Books about family history Books about adoption

For the grown-ups

The parent guide

What families may want to know

Every family reads differently. These are the concepts our editors noticed in this book — worth seeking out for some readers, worth knowing about for others. The list isn't exhaustive, but it's a spoiler-light head start.

Abuse

Some teachers at Mabel’s magic school hit knuckles with their wands as punishment for breaking the rules.

Magic

Mabel learns she's a witch and gains magic powers that allow her to make potions and cast spells. She attends a school for witches.

What readers & critics say