Published: 2025
Series: House at the Edge of Magic
Author: Amy Sparkes
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Humor, Adventure, Middle Grade
Audience (Grade Levels): 3, 4, 5, 6
Number of Stars: 4-Star
Goodreads Link: The House at the Edge of Magic
Triggers: Homelessness, threat of mild violence
Review By: Liz Geist
Publisher’s Summary:
Nine is an orphan pickpocket determined to escape her life in the Nest of a Thousand Treasures. When she steals a house-shaped ornament from a mysterious woman’s purse, she knocks on its tiny door and watches it grow into a huge, higgledy-piggeldy house. Inside she finds a host of magical and brilliantly funny characters, including Flabberghast – a young wizard who’s particularly competitive at hopscotch – and a hideous troll housekeeper who’s emotionally attached to his feather duster. They have been placed under an extraordinary spell, which they are desperate for Nine to break. If she can, maybe they can offer her a new life in return…
Review:
The House at the Edge of Magic by Amy Sparks is a magic-filled middle grade adventure. The story follows Nine, an orphan with no memory of her past who belongs to a gang of child thieves. She was the ninth child that the criminal boss, Pockets, allowed into his decrepit home called The Nest. When Nine steals a small, very realistic house ornament to bring back to Pockets, she discovers it is no ordinary trinket. The ornament magically morphs into a real house, home to a few peculiar residents: Dr. Spoon, a talking, kilt-wearing spoon; Eric, a nervous troll housekeeper; and Flabberghast, a young and eccentric wizard.
Nine learns that the house is under a curse and that they need her help to break it. In return, Flabberghast promises her immeasurable wealth. But there’s a twist, a literal clock is ticking. Once time runs out, the house and everyone connected to it, Nine included, will shrink out of existence. Will Nine find the magic words to give to Flabberghast and help break the curse? Read and find out!
I enjoyed this book and the pacing is fitting for middle grade readers.. It was cute and funny, with the kind of humor preteens will love. My favorite magical mishap is the magic cupboard: every time someone tries to open it, something magical happens to everyone in the room for a few seconds before being returned to normal. Someone might sprout a dragon’s tail, turn blue, or grow an elephant’s trunk. The outcome is different every time. The characters are goofy and fun, especially Dr. Spoon, who loves to wield a sword and is searching for his love, Professor Dish. Flabberghast is also a memorable character, who spends his days in pajamas and mismatched socks. Nine is a strong, likeable main character. Some strong themes that are present in the book are a sense of belonging: Nine wishes to have a place to call home that she feels comfortable in and people she can rely on. Friendship is also an underlying theme throughout the book. Nine eventually learns to trust and look forward to her time in the chaos of the Magic House. Nine also faced many setbacks and adversity throughout her life and is resilient because of it. I would recommend this book to students who enjoy humor, magic, and adventure.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- ELA / SEL: Strong thematic connections to developing a sense of belonging, building trust and friendship, and showing resilience through setbacks and adversity.
- Extension Activity / Library Application: Perfect for middle grade book clubs, read-aloud sessions, or independent reading for students who enjoy humor, magic, and high-energy adventure stories.
- Diversity & Representation: Explores themes of socioeconomic hardship, homelessness, and overcoming adverse childhood conditions through the main character’s journey toward finding community and stability.
Readalikes:
- Legendarios: Wrath of the Rain God by Karla Arenas Valenti
- The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor by Aubrey Hartman
- The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly
