Rinaldi, Ann. Millicent's gift.HarperTrophy. 218p. c2002. 0-06-441009-9. $5.99. J To quote from the review of the hard-cover in KLIATT, May 2002: We generally associate Rinaldi with historical fiction. Here she presents an alternate universe in modern times, giving us a wonderfully realized family in which most of the females have the Gift--a kind of benign witchcraft witchcraft, a form of sorcery, or the magical manipulation of nature for self-aggrandizement, or for the benefit or harm of a client. This manipulation often involves the use of spirit-helpers, or familiars. related to Celtic myth and legend. Millicent is the narrator NARRATOR. A pleader who draws narrs serviens narrator, a sergeant at law. Fleta, 1. 2, c. 37. Obsolete. , just about to turn 14, a time when she can claim her Power. Her mother and aunts have trained her well for this momentous mo·men·tous adj. Of utmost importance; of outstanding significance or consequence: a momentous occasion; a momentous decision. time. However, they have also home-schooled her and now it is time for Millicent to start at the public high school with her twin brother Dexter dexter /dex·ter/ (deks´ter) [L.] right; on the right side. dex·ter adj. Of or located on the right side. . She has never had much contact with the outside world and chooses to be friends with Naomi. a troubled girl who promises to be a true friend, not taking advantage of the special powers Millicent has. Millicent has a lot to learn about the wider world, but she feels her training has helped to prepare her. When the twins were eight. the father left the family, leaving their older brother Mac in charge. Mac Mac-Cool, once in the FBI, agreed to return to their hometown home·town n. The town or city of one's birth, rearing, or main residence. Noun 1. hometown - the town (or city) where you grew up or where you have your principal residence; "he never went back to his hometown again" as the police chief and helped raise the twins. Mac is fair, but tough. And he has troubles of his own, which the twins discover. Eventually, this family drama with talk about witchcraft (even Millicent can shape-shift and become a deer) turns into a crime drama. The twins get entangled en·tan·gle tr.v. en·tan·gled, en·tan·gling, en·tan·gles 1. To twist together or entwine into a confusing mass; snarl. 2. To complicate; confuse. 3. To involve in or as if in a tangle. in Mac's police work and things get complicated. YAs will all love this aspect of the story. Just in case you are in a community nervous about books involving witchcraft, here is a description of the ritual Millicent experiences as she turns 14: "Aunt Melanie stood beside me with a lighted candle. 'You are one with nature,' she said. 'The Power runs deep in you now. May it flow out upon others, making them whole and giving them peace. May you use it with strength, courage and conviction, kindness Kindness See also Generosity. Allworthy, Squire Tom Jones’s goodhearted foster father. [Br. Lit. , virtue, and integrity.' I blew out the candle. They all clapped and kissed me." It's a good story, an interesting family with smart, brave twins, some good solid adolescent themes (anger at authority, for instance), and best of all a mystery to solve. Claire Rosser, KLIATT |
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