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.
Has anyone else read The Key to Extraordinary? Or have you read another book by Natalie
Lloyd? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Check out our interview with Natalie Lloyd!
Happy Reading!
~L
