In Emma and Izzy's world, all children process magic, but only the wealthy are allowed to wield it. Twelve-year-old Emma attends Miss Posterity's Academy for Practical Magic, the best kindling school in New York City, but everything changes when her father dies. Now penniless, Emma must work as a servant for Miss Posterity to pay off her debts. After she befriends another servant girl, Izzy, they realize they both have something in common: they don't want to lose their magic. Izzy promises to teach Emma how to survive as a servant, and Emma agrees to teach Izzy all she knows about magic. Together, they embark on an adventure to bring lasting change to their world.
