A thoroughly enjoyable read. It’s a modern take on the Summer Middle-Grade Adventure*, with a fantasy twist, and good fun. I’m suffering a bit from my own “second novel syndrome” with it, though, since I really liked Lloyd’s first book, A Snicker of Magic, and spent a lot of time noticing thematic similarities, which pulled me out of the story a bit. Still liked the book and will be recommending it at work when it comes out. (I got an ARC again.)

* See Where the Red Fern Grows, The Summer of the Monkeys, The Bridge to Terabithia, Tuck Everlasting

7/10 ( )

Emma lives with her brother and her grandmother over the family cafe. Their restaurant is known for its Boneyard Brew, a specialty hot chocolate, which makes folks feel better whenever they have it. Their café is right up against an old cemetery, which has more to it than meets the eye. Emma knows the graveyard pretty well since she gives tours of it all summer long. Emma always tries to look on the bright side of things, even if it's not that easy when she has “the big empty”. She's hoping to have “the dream of her ancestors”, her destiny dream, at any time now. All the women in her family have had it, and they've gone on to do great and magnificent things. When Emma finds out that her grandmother, Blue, is going to have to sell the café to a developer she is determined to do whatever she can to keep it in her family. When she has her destiny dream she knows what she has to do to save the café. But will she be able to do it? Is the risk to great? Will she and her friends be able to find the answer in time? You'll have to hunt down the answer with them!


I was excited to read The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd and was not disappointed! Her writing continues to be beautiful and touching. I love the characters because they are each unique and I was able to relate to them. The names used in the book are memorable. I like the tale of friendship and standing up to bullies that was prevalent. I also like the idea of our destiny and that we can fulfill it many different ways. I would love to visit Blackbird Hollow, where Emma and her family live. It sounds like the most wonderful place. The cemetery seems to be an interesting spot to learn more about too! I recommend this book to kids in third grade and up who like realistic fiction mixed with magical elements. Having hope and believing anything is possible are two keys to being extraordinary.
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This is a book about an orphan girl who had recently lost her mother. The book was a really well written book and was a good read. This book would be appropriate for older children, because the idea of ghosts and losing a mother may be too harsh for a younger audience. Overall, this was a really good read. ( )

This chapter book's title explains itself; it is extraordinary. A girl with dreams and hopes to accomplish those dreams that she has. She faces struggles as anyone would but creates the person that she becomes. I would use this book in upper grades just as a book for students to read and understand the message of never giving up on there dreams no matter the issues that come along the way. ( )

A great adventure/mystery book! After Emma loses her mom, she learns that she too will have a destiny dream like the women in her families past. She learns so much along the way about family, friendship, loyalty, and love. I highly reccomend This book to anyone who liked "Finding Fortune". ( )