The Secret Science of Magic

By: Jamie Steinberg

Melissa Keil’s new book The Secret Science of Magic combines the power of friendship with the mantra “feel the fear and do it anyway.” Seventeen-year-old math prodigy Sophia Reyhart is stuck between her intellect and an unexplained interest in her charming but quirky classmate Josh. Will she be able to push past her fears and find herself actually falling for a guy? This is one you will want to turn each page to find out.

Sophia Reyhart is smart. Okay, not just smart, but genius level smart. She is also disconnected from her emotions. That is until she begins having panic attacks, something her parents think being a part of a course in drama will help correct. Adding an additional wrench to her life is cute, but magic-obsessed oddball classmate Josh. Sophia should be winding down her Senior year of high school by spending time with her best mate Elsie and figuring out her future path, but there is something about Josh that pushes Sophia past her comfort zone and intrigues her enough to see what it is about him that draws the two together.

Keil’s latest Young Adult book mixes the base of a rom-com with social anxiety and smarts. You’ll fall for Sophia’s uncertainty and anxiety, as readers will find her relatable. Okay, sure, we’re not all geniuses, but there is something endearing about our heroine that keeps you rooting for her. Plus, you find yourself rooting for her to connect with Josh and see if her emotional detachment warms with his and Elsie’s help. (Josh’s cool magic tricks might add to the page turning as well.)

Can Sophia handle her mental health, life beyond Senior year and a thoughtful beau or will her robotic nature keep her in her comfort zone – closed off? You’ll just have to read The Secret Science of Magic to find out.