I’ve been guilty of browsing the young adults section of the Library, better known as the teen section. I know I’m no longer a teen, but I think a lot of the young adult books are great reads. They’re usually fun, and quick, and a lot of them actually deal with deep emotions. I mean, weren’t our teen years probably the most angst ridden of our lives?

I found the book, Millicent’s Gift, by Ann Rinaldi and I thought it might be fun. The book starts out slow, like having to read through term life insurance quotes,  but then it really picks up in the final chapters. It’s written as a 14 year old girl would narrate, so you have to get used to that style, but it also helps you fall into the story a bit more.

It’s the story of a young girl who has grown up in a family of magic. They’re sort of modern day Wicken, and what’s cool about the story is it doesn’t make the magic far fetched, it’s almost believable. Everyone in the family has “the power” to some degree, but the women more than the men. Millicent is a twin, and her brother really wants the power, but he doesn’t have it the way Millicent does. Her aunts teach her how to do small spells, and they’re only to be used for good, never to get far ahead in life, or to harm anyone.
When Millicent turns 14, she is to receive “the gift” which is that she can make one wish, again used only for good.
The problem is, this is a huge burden on a 14 year old girl. Instead of the kids in school thinking she’s a freak, they each come to her with heavy problems of their own, asking that she make a wish to help them. One of the kids has a sister who is autistic, and so on. Everyone needs a little help, and it’s all resting on Millicent’s shoulders. I won’t give away any more of the story, because that was the excitement of reading it. I almost wish the story had been longer, but overall it was a great read, and really makes you think about your own small “powers” and what you can do to help those around you.