Is Magic Real or Fake? A Magic Book for Kids
Abrams Books for Young Readers
Have you ever wondered if magic is real? Or at least wished it might be? Spells and curses, hexes and potions—who wouldn’t like having special powers or control over the world around them? And while this may just seem like the stuff of books and movies, a lot of what we now call “magic” is part of the history of many scientific fields, like chemistry, botany, and astronomy. If the middle-grade reader in your life (or you!) are intrigued by the idea of a connection between science and magic, Do You Believe in Magic? might just be the perfect magic book for kids. Keep reading for a peek into some of the topics covered in the book!*
Are potions real?
illustration by Rafael Nobre / Abrams Books for Young Readers
Eye of newt and tail of dog, leaf of maple, leg of frog—I mean, really? That just sounds like the recipe for a really bad stew. But while some of the potions in stories are completely made up, there are actual potions that could cure—or poison—the people who took them.
In earlier centuries, the potion masters brewing up these concoctions knew what plants, or combinations of plants, could help with a headache or reduce fever or even make someone feel like they’re flying. Back then, these potioneers might not have known why these plants worked since we didn’t understand chemical compounds yet. But the information these potion makers collected was important to the science of botany and has also helped us create our own, modern potions (aka medicines)
In fact, a potion that scientists found in a 10th century manuscript known as “Bald’s Leechbook” might actually have been (and could still be) a very effective antibiotic! Are potions real? Sure seems like it!
Is alchemy magic?
illustration by Rafael Nobre / Abrams Books for Young Readers
The idea of turning lead into gold, known as alchemy, has been around for a long time. Archaeologists have found records of alchemical practices from all over the world, dating as far back as 2,000 years ago (and possibly longer). But despite hundreds of years of trying, alchemists were never successful in making gold out of lead.
However, all was not lost. Their centuries of experiments helped alchemists figure out how to produce things like gunpowder and glass. They also compiled extensive notes about all the different substances they worked with and how those substances reacted with one other. And all of that knowledge? It eventually became the foundation for the science of chemistry.
Are curses real?
illustration by Rafael Nobre / Abrams Books for Young Readers
Words can have a pretty strong effect on people—think about how you feel after someone gives you a compliment or, alternatively, if someone says something mean (I’m looking at you, internet trolls). But can you actually curse someone? Make them sick? Cause them harm?
Turns out you can—and there’s some real science behind it. A neuroscientist I spoke with said that when people genuinely believe they’ve been cursed, they can actually get quite sick. It’s due to something known as the nocebo effect, which means “I will be harmful” in Latin. Scientists don’t entirely understand why the nocebo effect works (hint: they don’t think it’s magic), but it has led to some interesting experiments that test the power of the mind.
*Some of you might be saying, “Hey! You never did a podcast season about magic! Shouldn’t the third book match the third season? Nuclear energy?” Good question. My publisher told me that kids aren’t interested in nuclear (if you disagree, take it up with them), so I picked a new topic. And if you’re wondering about a season four of Wild Thing… well, consider this your crystal ball.
Laura Krantz is the host and producer of the Wild Thing podcast, which explores fascinating topics on science and society. Do You Believe in Magic? (coming October 8, 2024) is the third book in her non-fiction, middle grade series inspired by the podcast.
