BLUF: "A" had fallen in love with the Maggie Sparks series. And "C" always enjoys the shenanigans Maggie and Arthur find themselves in. We

Mom's Review

"A's" Review

"C's" Review

Dad's Review

(Full Traveling Book Family reviews to come!)

Thank you to Steve Smallman, Esther Hernando, Jolly Fish Press, & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

All reviews are our own.

My daughter, who also does not want to go to school, vampires or not, loved this book. She devoured this one and I think that's high praise right there! She said she needs more by Steve Smallman, so here we go. Hah! (she's 7, just finished 2nd grade, and had no problem reading this book solo)

This was an easy read for my 2nd grader. She said she thought it was fun and is excited to read more of Maggie Sparks! She's a fan of science - so these are a great fit for her.

4.5 stars

Thanks for this ARC!

Maggie is back at it! Having to adjust to a new school and making new friends- all while staying true to herself. My daughter tried to read this book, but found some of the words too challenging, so we read it together. She loved it! I did think the topics, length of book and age of Maggie didn’t always match the vocabulary used.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so cute! I loved the science in the book and think this will make for a great kids book.

Cute story. My daughter loved hearing Maggie’s tale especially when she was being abit naughty and using her magic. My daughter is now looking to hunt out the rest of the series and see what other adventures she will have

I received an electronic ARC from North Star Editions through NetGalley.
Maggie and Arthur are back for more fun and adventures. This time, a serious problem closes their school and they have to attend a different one. Arthur is excited for the science program; Maggie is worried and anxious. When they get there, they are picked on by two of the girls in their class. Maggie uses her magic to make them stop but something goes wrong each time. By the end, they are accepted and happy to be there.
I have enjoyed this series but this one fell a little flat for me. Some of the scenes feel contrived rather than flowing from the story line and the bullies instantly changing to friends doesn't feel realistic.

We love the Maggie Sparks book series, and my children love slime. This is a great Maggie Sparks story, and my kids will read over and over.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Maggie Sparks and the School of Slime is the newest addition to the Maggie Sparks series, and I think this is my favourite in the season so far.
Maggies school has subsidence so the children are being sent to different schools until the building is safe again. Maggie doesn't want to go to a new school even though she'll be with her best friend Arthur. Arthur loves the new school, but Maggie doesn't and dislikes two of the children even more for being mean to Arthur and herself. When Maggie sneaks her magic wand into class for show and tell you just know disaster is around the corner...
This book had me laughing so much - Maggie is such a fun, spunky character, and her one-liners are so funny! This book teaches children about change, friendships, following rules, and more. I can't wait to read the next addition in this funny series.

Ahhh, she's naughty and funny in this one when she misunderstands why her school is closed and they are transferred to another school. She protects Arthur from bullies, but she gets into trouble as well. This is a fun series, well illustrated and great for reluctant readers who relate to this naughty girl.

What an adorable little chapter book! My kids had full on giggle fits at times with Maggie’s silly antics. She’s naughty, she’s silly, but also a sweet friend. We want to go back through and read the other books in the series! On a side note, on my phone with the NetGalley app the formatting was totally normal and fine, but on my kindle it was way off. Not sure if there’s a way to fix that for those wanting to read on kindle, but that’s my only note on that front.

Thank you NetGalley, North star editions, and jolly fish press for my ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

The child in me cannot get enough of Maggie Sparks. Her loyalty to her best friend, indomitable spirit, and vast imagination stand out for me.
Best of all, it is age-appropriate and wholesome, with many amusing moments. Steve Smallman has a winner in Maggie Sparks.

I would buy this in a minute. I highly recommend it.

This book highlights the power of imagination in transforming even the smallest things. Imagination fosters creativity and motivation, not just for adults but for children as well, encouraging them to think outside the box and find joy in everyday experiences.

Beyond its magical elements, the story also tackles important social issues like bullying, shedding light on its impact, how to handle it, and the consequences that come with it. It emphasizes the importance of kindness, empathy, and standing up for oneself and others. Raising children's awareness of these challenges is crucial, as they may encounter them as soon as they step outside and interact with their peers. Through engaging storytelling, the book not only entertains but also imparts valuable life lessons that help children navigate friendships and social situations with confidence.

Perfect for young readers!
Maggie’s school gets shut down and that means she has to go to a new school.
Maggie is not excited about going to a new school, but her best friend Arthur is. Being new comes with a set of ups and downs for them both. We see them have good, bad, and wild days at school.
I loved the representation this book had with its characters but I do wish there was more slime represented throughout the book.

I have a new favourite fictional witch in Maggie Sparks, keen to fix her very relatable problems with her own brand of anarchic magic. Some genuine laugh out loud moments that I know will engage even our most reluctant readers. Great illustrations and a wonderful contrast in the characters. My only criticism is that it ended too soon!

Maggie’s family are all witches. She is learning how to do magic. Arthur, her best friend, knows she is a witch and also knows she isn’t very good at it yet, and keeps telling her not to use it, especially at school.
In this edition, the forth, the two end up going to a new school while their school is worked on. You don’t need to have read the other books, as this book brings you up to speed quite quickly.
The emphasis of this story is that Maggie is trying to impress her teacher, and she thinks she can only do so with magic. Of course things go wrong.


This is a great book for children, as they can laugh at Maggie, or see how despite she being a witch, that they might have to face going to a new school with mean girls who tease.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.This book si coming out on the 1st of August.2025.