The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia (an Illustrated Novel)

By: Leia Ham

Published by Scholastic Press, 2026-05-05

With atmospheric illustrations full of warmth, adventure, and friendship on every page, The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is an unforgettable magical school story. 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 . . . With exciting, atmospheric illustrations on every page, The Missing Magic of Sparrow Xia is the beginning of an unforgettable adventure overflowing with friendship, mystery, and the truth that magic is everywhere.