The Art of Magical is a story about the true value of friendship and imagination. While the plot honestly did not hold my attention the entire time and I feel the execution could have been better, the strong imagery and heartwarming lesson within made up for it.

I received an electronic ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley.
Readers enter a world where magic is focused on the arts. ZuZu meets Andrew at the end of the year third grade celebration at Mapleton Mansion. It's there that they find some hidden art supplies that will play a major role later in the story. Both use their paint/pens to create and, to their surprise, the drawings come to life. They return to the mansion to get answers and get them. As they are learning about the helpful side of magic from Martha Mapleton, readers meet Martha's brother, Chester. He is set on revenge even after his death. Voskuil pulls readers into the minor challenges and builds to the final confrontation between the siblings and their third grade assistants. At times the maturity level for these children seems a bit higher than expected from this age.
Readers will connect with the characters' emotions and get a long term perspective on what happens when someone is bullied. They also see how seeking revenge can completely take over someone's life. This is all shared at a level middle grade readers will be able to process.

This was pretty cute! A fast and easy read with a very interesting Magic system. The friendship between Andrew and ZuZu was really sweet. Also, the healthy sibling relationship was a good contrast to the unhealthy one between Martha and Chester. The villain was a defeated pretty easily, but it was still a fun read!

What worked:
Zuzu and Andrew finish third grade, and that summer they discover magical art supplies in an old, haunted house. The drawing tools seem innocent enough until the creatures they draw come to life. The drawings collapse on the floor when trying to leave the paper until the kids learn how to make them more solid. The creatures come in unusual shapes and sizes and add an amusing touch to the events. Clawson is the first beast created by Zuzu, and he behaves like a pet/guardian/character for Zuzu, her brother, and Andrew. Clawson’s a ferocious fighter when protection is needed, but he’s a cute friend to Zuzu’s brother when they’re playing on the floor of his bedroom. Andrew suffers from Crohn’s Disease early in the book, and the author includes information about symptoms and treatment of this fairly common ailment.
The main conflict pits two spirits against each other, brother and sister when they were alive. Chester has a right to be upset since he was bullied as a kid, but he cast a spell while alive that will exact revenge against all of the friends and relatives of his tormentors. The innocent victims weren’t even alive when Chester was bullied. Martha, his sister, teams up with the kids when they display an aptitude for magic, and the plot progresses toward an anticipated showdown. The adventure includes fighting scenes between the visitons and aptitudes created by the main characters.
The magic of fine arts makes an intriguing twist on a common power. Characters with sensitivity to magic are able to use artistic abilities to create living things. Zuzu’s paintings are guided by her thoughts and feelings during their construction, and she discovers that her intentions are key. She also learns that two magic-sensitive characters working together generate a lot more power. This relationship results in an important partnership with Andrew, but it forces Chester to find a living accomplice.
What didn’t work as well:
The author could have come up with more imaginative names for the creations, since visitons and auditions are very neutral, blah terms. Also, it’s hard to envision 9 year-olds displaying the bravery, independence, and ingenuity seen in the story. They’re readily willing to face the uncertainty and dangers, and they mostly move around town freely. They’ve also just finished third grade. Nevertheless, the plot is creative, exciting, and fast-moving as the kids try to thwart Chester’s evil plans.
The Final Verdict:
The intent is what’s important. The whole idea of magical fine arts is original, and the conflict is easy to understand. Chester’s pain from being bullied is even justifiable, although his revenge against ancestors isn’t. Overall, this book is quite entertaining, and I recommend young lovers of magic give it a shot.

This was absolutely adorable. ZuZu was excellent and believable, and I loved the non-adversarial relationship she had with Banjo. Andrew was a terrific sidekick, and I liked the little twist about the hair burrs.

The storyline itself was well done. I liked the explanation of the magic system - it's a very unique system and I was impressed. I liked the plot and the action was exciting. I can imagine a young MG reader would very much enjoy this.

I can easily see middle grade readers enjoying this book. Its main protagonist, ZuZu, is brilliantly relatable. I 100% believed her insecurities about finding new friends after her closest friend moves away. The magical realism aspect was particularly fun, especially Clawson's introduction into the world. The subplots that involve bullying and childhood illness were also thoughtful additions to the major conflict. It added complexity to the storyline, but it also allowed for more realistic issues and obstacles for the children to face together. So as they battled the ghostly figure of Chester and his auditons with their visitons, the children were also growing from and overcoming problems in their non-magical lives.

The narrative's pace was a bit slow in places, but I believe the loveable characters would pull most readers to the end as they root for ZuZu, Andrew, and the rest of their little army. A lovely, wholesome middle grade read!

I thought this book was absolutely lovely. It felt very much like a comfort read! I also enjoyed the short chapters. I had a very easy time getting into the book. I highly recommend if you are a fan of fun loving characters!

Thank you NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for providing the ARC of "The Art of Magic!"

The concept was super cool and the magical world that Hannah Voskuil built was awesome. The idea that magic is built around music and the arts is very intriguing and will bring attention to younger readers interested in those topics. I loved the theme of building new friendships in the midst of separating from old ones. It's always hard to make new friends and it seems like ZuZu made multiple! ZuZu is a lovable, strong character who can overcome anything! (With the help of her trusted friends, of course)

What a wonderful story about the power of friendship, the magic of art and music, and our ability to choose to be good and kind after we've made missteps. I loved Zuzu and Andrew's friendship and the idea that their magic is at its most powerful when they combine their gifts. I loved the visitons and am sure that readers will love the cute, cuddly and fierce monsters.

This is sure to be a hit with young readers!

The Art of Magic is the story of third-grader Zuzu, who befriends the new boy next door and with him discovers a set of magical art supplies that allow them to bring their art to life. On one hand, it is a story about a lonely young girl who slowly learns to come out of her shell. But it is also a story about magic and creativity, of grudges and forgiveness. The opening chapter finds Zuzu in ordinary life, in a situation many third-graders could doubtlessly empathize with: feeling lonely and awkward at a school picnic while her parents push her to make more friends. But the second chapter throws that on its head, pulling the reader into a world of magic that leaves them eagerly looking to what happens next. The rest of the book seamlessly balances the realism with the fantastical. The chapters are short and quick paced, sure to make young readers feel like they're breezing through it. Officially this book is for kids ages 9-13, but kids closer to the 9-10 range will get more enjoyment out of it than their older peers.