THE MISSING MAGIC OF SPARROW XIA (AN ILLUSTRATED NOVEL), by Leia Ham, Scholastic Press, May 5, 2026, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl with unpredictable powers joins her brother at a boarding school for magical development in The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia, by Leia Ham.
To Sparrow Xia, power feels like fire; red-hot sparks dancing along her fingertips, or the blazing flames her brother wields. In a world where kids have magic and adults don’t, being a super-rare fire mage should give her the edge she needs to make the most of her magical years. But Sparrow feels like a fraud―for all its rarity, her fire-magic is so weak she can barely conjure more than a match flame. Starting school at Zenith Academy for Magical Development is her one chance to finally strengthen her magic―to turn her pitiful match flame into something powerful. Something special.
While Sparrow battles to master her talents, a strange illness begins to seep into the school, draining students of their magic. When Sparrow and her new friends are drawn into the search for a cure, they’ll soon find that when magic means everything, some people will go to terrifying lengths to try to keep it . . . —Synopsis provided by Scholastic Inc.
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is the first book in a new middle-grade series written and illustrated by Leia Ham.
The story utilizes the academia trope, featuring a closed educational setting, intense competition and hidden secrets. As with other books in this genre, unknowns await, new friendships develop and hidden enemies lurk.
What makes The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia stand out is the magic system itself. In this world, a child’s magic fades as they enter adulthood. And not everyone has the same kind of magic, either, which makes for some incredible collaborations and fights.
Sparrow is a relatable protagonist; stuck in her brother’s shadow, hoping someday her power will be half as strong as his. Sparrow is determined and persistent, which lands her in hot water as often as not. She’s surrounded by a strong cast of kids who become good friends, and that friendship means just as much as magic.
The adults in The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia hover on the sidelines, sometimes feeling more like props used to move the story forward. Ham could definitely do more there to enhance the overall feel.
That said, the book is just 320 pages, and the books is filled with excellent black-and-white illustrations that make it even shorter. And Ham balances it all.
The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia moves quickly and is full of magic and adventure. It’s a great option for readers who enjoy fantasy, particularly younger middle readers. I look forward to the next book.
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