I really enjoyed this book! Some high points that I don't think are spoilers:
- Biracial child has special powers in part due to her dual heritage
- The magics are color and song and dance and the arts
- It's a real journey with the child at its center, that doesn't do away with adults.
- Adults don't all agree with one another

Low points:
- Slow start was hard to get into. I only stuck with it because it was a recommended book.
- Clearly the first of a trilogy, it doesn't quite stand up on its own.

On the whole, a thoroughly delightful book. 4.3 stars.

VERY well done. I would like a bit more depth of explanation or rootedness about how the magic works, but I do love it as a while. I also like the touches on segregation and racism, which are real and deep but don't take over the plot. And the plot is great!

The mindfulness pieces of this book were spot on, and a good explanation of mindfulness, with some meditation practices that I found helpful. Since I've already read mindfulness books before though, this wasn't new or exciting information. What I really wanted out of this book was more about Nonviolent Communication. Unfortunately, most of the NVC advice contained here boils down to "Think more before you talk, and talk less." Which is good advice if you, like the author, are a cis het white man, but isn't actually good advice for everyone. First I followed the advice for a bit, then I realized that it was silencing of my voice in a way that was detrimental to the clear communication that this book claims to teach. The point is to make room for the voices of others, but there seems to be no awareness on the part of the author that for equality to be reached, those being too loud stepping back is only one part of the equation. Those being too quiet (because they had previously been silenced) also need to speak up.

tl;dr Read this if you're a straight cis white man. If not, read some other mindfulness book.

This is an interesting combo book. One the one hand, I like the genre blending. On the other, that makes it hard to give to the right person. The first third is about international adoption, the second third about issues in school and some neurodivergence (though that term isn't used an no diagnosis is shared) , and the final third is actually about how to crochet. It's really more of an autobiography (one ghostwritten by mom) than a crafting book. There is a pattern for a striped washcloth, but it expects the child to be reading it with an experienced crocheter, and does not tell the child how to make any of the stitches or read the pattern. I think it best classed as an autobiography, but it doens't present itself that way. Moreover, as international adoption can be a fraught subject, mom as ghostwriter of a rosy tale for this portion feels problematic.

Extremely good nonfiction for the 2-3 grade set. Pinkney's illustrations are on point, as always.

Super fun! I appreciate how realistic the middle school love interest is, in that

Spoiler

there is one fumbly kiss and a swift breakup.

Completely delivers on the promise of the first two books in this trilogy with a magical feel-good ending. Maybe less complexity and nuance than the previous stories, but 100% heartfelt in a way that doesn't feel cheesy.

Changed the way I think. I wish it had more practical advice, but it was still wonderfully eye opening.

Solidly fun. A bit heavily meta for mid-grade fiction, but it will have its audience. I do enjoy the magic hammer.