The Adventures of Lettie Peppercorn by Sam Gayton, Poly Bernatene (Illustrated by)

Lettie is a little girl who misses her mother.  She has a note from her telling her she will be back and insisting she not step outside.  Lettie doesn't know why, but she obeys until the day someone comes calling and says that he knows where her mother is...

Margaret K McElderry Books and Edelweiss allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published February 2nd.

This story is filled with magic and other oddities.  Lottie is a young girl who runs a boarding house.  It's the only way they get money.  Her dad is a drunk who gambles, so she never gets to keep any of it, but it's better than starving.  When her two female guests are asking for more tea and something else to eat that night, a mysterious man comes to call.  He's blue from cold and offers to give Lettie a present.  He says she's his customer, she says he has no money.  It matters not, he's going to give it to her anyway.  After much preparation and some magic potion, he creates snow.  It's something no one has seen before.  The greedy female guests think it's diamonds and try to steal it.  When the alchemist realizes Lettie can't mimic her mother's talents, he leaves.  But Lettie follows.  It's a good thing she has the boy with the boat with her.  She needs help.

Impossible things happen, the two greedy women will not give up trying to get the diamond making machine, and you just have to wait for the next disaster.  This is a good adventure with plenty of action.  Lettie is a brave girl.  I'll bet she'll be an alchemist, too!