The Key to Extraordinary

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

One more post on this book. The author shared my top ten on insta š™ and I love being able to interact with authors even this briefly on the internet. But I read her bio, and she shares that she lives with OI. I bawled my eyes out during this book because of my sister who I lost 4 years ago, and the grief I haven‘t really dealt with. But she also had OI. And this random little connection made me cry even more š‚ Please read this, it‘s so good.

Chrissyreadit I stacked it! 4y

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cewilf

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

This just jumped into my top ten of 2020. I am going to personally thank the student who recommended this book. If you‘ve never heard of it, please read it now. It‘s a great middle grade novel that touches on so many things, especially friendship, family, and grief in really beautiful ways. Get a box of tissues ready. I lost my sister a few years ago and this book really made me think of her.

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cewilf

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

Next up from my sixth graders. I read the first three chapters last night and love this so far! A likable main character, an interesting plot, and great writing. Looking forward to the rest.

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monalyisha

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

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Before Emma Pearl's mama dies, she passes on a family heirloom, The Book of Days. In the book, each of the women in Emma's family has written her Destiny Dream, a magical premonition which reveals her future. Emma's mama predicted that she'd have the Dream early, thereby connecting them forever, but her 12th birthday is fast approaching and Emma still has not seen her future.

Review cont'd below.

monalyisha 1/7: Meanwhile, Warren Steel threatens to buy out her Grandma Blue's cafe, and steal away the only home Emma has ever known. Will Emma have the Dream and figure out a way to save Blackbird Hollow before it's too late?

With The Key to Extraordinary, Natalie Lloyd gives her readers a story about friendship, mother-daughter relationships, grief, loss, love, ghosts, a treasure hunt, hot chocolate, and magical muffins. What more could one want? (edited) 5y

monalyisha 2/7: The realistically-portrayed relationships and complex characters will satisfy fans of realistic fiction. The treasure hunt, though not overly difficult to solve, will please those who prefer mysteries. The ghost story serves a dual-purpose; it will enchant fantasy-lovers and history-lovers alike, as its origins can be found in the Civil War era of American history. (edited) 5y

monalyisha 3/7: The setting, Blackbird Hollow, TN, with its overflow of blossoming flowers, and sacred cemetery/old-church-turned-cafe, complete with stained glass windows & a signature hot-chocolate drink called Boneyard Brew, is a character unto itself. (edited) 5y

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monalyisha 4/7: The audiobook narration, performed by Kate Simses, seems a little bit saccharine-sweet, at first. But as the listener gets to know Emma Pearl, it becomes clear that the sweetness is not an affectation; it's an earnest, genuine character trait. Simses nails the southern Tennessee twang, but her most impressive achievement is found in song. (edited) 5y

monalyisha 5/7: Emma is the daughter of a folk rock singer and an aspiring drummer (& super-fan of The White Stripes). The ghosts who haunt the graveyard sing out clues for treasure-seekers who are pure of heart. Music is performed regularly at the Boneyard Cafe, and otherworldly flowers capture a trove of secrets and songs between their petals, which can be listened to if one holds them up to their ear, like a seashell echoing sounds of the sea. (edited) 5y

monalyisha 6/7: Though the songs are simple, the way Simses sings them will give you an ear-worm that lasts for weeks! There are important lessons here about loyalty and making your own fate, divulged in Lloyd's trademark lyrical language. The aforementioned sweetness is balanced by the darkness of the thicket, which is, as Emma's BFF Cody Belle puts it, ā€spooky-creepy as all get-out!ā€ 5y

monalyisha 7/7: The Key to Extraordinary holds something for everyone in its chest of treasures.

I knew I liked Natalie Lloyd after reading A Snicker of Magic. This second book only confirmed it for me, and ensured that I'll be following her career forevermore. 5y

Crazeedi Sounds like a truly magical book!! 5y

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Eggs

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

Stars, flowers, secrets + history and great characters=great story

geodynamical_nonfiction

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Gingersnapppp

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

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I loved this fanciful middle grade novel. Everyone in Emma's family has done something amazing. She has spies, scientists, and musicians in her family. In this story Emma has to complete her Destiny but sometimes that's easier said than done. This story about friendship and family was so beautifully done. I loved every second of it. Highly recommend.

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Smithkatiea

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

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A very sweet middle grades novel. A little history, a lot of magic. Enjoy!

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Lolobee

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

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I absolutely adored this book. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy. It is geared towards children, but it was so lovely.

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nicolekukral

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

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Well, I haven't done this in awhile. I got sucked into this book and just couldn't stop reading. I love that this book is about the important legacy of women in a girl's life and the value of deep and true friendship. I shed a few years MULTIPLE times while reading!

Riveted_Reader_Melissa That's one great review! 8y

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nicolekukral

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

Continuing my mission to read more children's lit, I picked up this one. Love the opening line: "It is a known fact that the most extraordinary moments in a person's life come disguised as ordinary days."

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Shelleang

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

"I'd hate for the last words that come out of my mouth to be mean ones. I don't want my words wasted." Nice. Very nice.

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LibraryLily

The Key to Extraordinary | Natalie Lloyd

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I wish this book had existed about 20 years ago so I could have read it as a kid. It's magical and happy and sad and curious and makes me want to travel to the hills of Tennessee.

4 likes