Like a Charm - by Elle McNicoll

About the Book

"Ramya Knox is used to feeling cursed. People only notice her long enough to call her a troublemaker. Except Grandpa. He sees Ramya and her neurodiversity as enchanting. But when Grandpa dies, Ramya's world loses its charm...until she discovers he left behind one big secret: that magic is real and Ramya can see it. Trolls, vampires, kelpies, and more fantastical beings hide in the shadows for Ramya to discover. But the Hidden Folk need protection from the most dangerous creatures of all: the sirens. These beautiful monsters use their voices to get whatever they want, and lately they want power. And anyone who resists, anyone who is different, simply...disappears. It's up to Ramya to finish her grandpa's work and expose the sirens for the villains they are--before their voices frown out the human and Hidden worlds forever."--Book jacket.

Book Synopsis

After the death of her grandfather, nuerodivergent tween Ramya uncovers a world of mystery and magic--and she's the only one who can see it! From the award-winning author of A Kind of Spark.

"Ramya, you have something this city needs. And it's something that's going to change everything."

Ramya Knox is used to feeling cursed. People only notice her long enough to call her a troublemaker. Except Grandpa. He sees Ramya and her neurodiversity as enchanting. But when Grandpa dies, Ramya's world loses its charm...until she discovers he left behind one big secret: that magic is real and Ramya can see it.

Trolls, vampires, kelpies, and more fantastical beings hide in the shadows for Ramya to discover. But the Hidden Folk need protection from the most dangerous creatures of all: the sirens. These beautiful monsters use their voices to get whatever they want, and lately they want power. And anyone who resists, anyone who is different, simply...disappears.

It's up to Ramya to finish her grandpa's work and expose the sirens for the villains they are--before their voices frown out the human and Hidden worlds forever.

Review Quotes

★ "By spinning a dark and delightful Edinburgh setting elevated by innovative twists on Scottish mythology, McNicoll paints a vivacious portrait of one neurodivergent tween's experience navigating the world." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A magical, modern fantasy for anyone who has felt that they don't fit in." --Booklist

"An uplifting tale of magic, community, and acceptance." --Kirkus Reviews

"An engaging fantasy/adventure story ideal for anyone experiencing social alienation; it's especially deft in its handling of the topics of neurodivergence and disability." --School Library Journal

"[A] passionate, solidly constructed middle-grade fantasy." --The Horn Book

About the Author

Elle McNicoll is a Scottish and neurodivergent writer, happily living in London. Her first children's novel, A Kind of Spark, was a Carnegie Medal nominee and a Schneider Family Award Honor Book. Her second novel, Show Us Who You Are, is her love letter to neurodivergent friendships and her believe that disabled kids belong in genre fiction!