Bad Magic

Pseudonymous Bocsh, the author behind the delightful Secret Series, is back with a brand new series!!! Get ready to meet new characters, revisit some from the Secret Series, and go on more wild and crazy adventures!

Bad Magic

By: Pseudonymous Bosch

248 Pages

Ages: 8-12

Summary:

Clayton is being framed! After someone paints something from his journal onto a school wall, Clayton is kicked out of school. The only thing that can save him is to attend a camp for troubled kids. His parents agree (which is a rare occasion) on The Earth Ranch Camp. However, when Clayton gets there, he quickly learns all is not what it appears to be. One giveaway is the talking llama who greets him. Then there's the whole mystery of a ghost in the old library. Clayton has quite an adventure on his hands. But what does magic (something he wrote off years before), his long missing brother, and William Shakespeare have to do with it?

Earth Ranch camp is far from your usual camp designed to whip kids into shape. It was fun navigating the camp with Clayton, and seeing all the oddities for the first time. Until the very end of the book, you don't really know what's going on. You just know that something is going on. 

As I mentioned, some favorites from the Secret Series make appearances. Clayton's missing brother is non other than Max- Ernest. One of the camp figures is also from the previous series. There will be several names you'll read and recognize, like Cass and Price.

Pseudonymous has created another memorizing world to get lost in. From the camp's island home, to the people there, to the mysterious girl/ghost in the abandoned library window, readers will not lack for enticements to keep turning the pages. The role magic plays isn't a dark one, but one where imagination steps in where reality stops. 

Bad Magic was a fun read that kept me wanting to see what was going to happen next. I do think readers may want to be 10, or older, for reading. Some references and words may not be understood by younger readers.

The Worst Witch

The Worst Witch

By: Jill Murphy

96 Pages

Ages: 8-12

Summary:

Mildred Hubble is starting her first year at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches — and making a mess of it! She can’t ride her broomstick without crashing, she’s always getting her spells mixed up, and worst of all, the teacher’s pet, Ethel, has just become her sworn enemy. -- publisher

Originally released in 1974, The Worst Witch is being re-released for a new generation to discover. Young readers are bound to fall in love with little Mildred Hubble. This poor witch-in-training is the student with her heart in the right place, but nothing else. She's the one who will crash into things while learning to fly on her broom, fixing her broken broom with a pile of sticky tape and glue, and is afraid of the dark (ssshhh, if you don't tell, I won't.). 

In this first installment of this delightful character's series, Mildred is the recipient of a kitten. The time has come for all the first year students to get their assigned kitten who will ride on the brooms with their owners. Instead of getting the typical black one, Mildred is given a tabby one. And worse off, yet, the poor kitty isn't taking to flying on a broomstick too well. 

Everything comes to a head during her class's formation presentation at the annual Halloween festivities. Mildred's has embarrassed her class by causing a crash landing (not her fault, though). Poor Mildred is so upset, she decides to taker her tabby cat and run away. However, while walking down the mountain, she stumbles across a group of witches. Witches who are plotting to place a spell over everyone at the school so they can control it. Now it's up to Mildred to save the day.

This book was fun to read. Mildred is a cute character who is fun to read. I can relate to being that child who had good intentions, but would somehow, someway mess things up. I think fellow readers will enjoy her, as well. I look forward to reading more adventures of Mildred.  

Hocus Pocus Hotel: The Thirteenth Mystery

Hocus Pocus Hotel: The Thirteenth Mystery

By: Michael Dahl

222 Pages

Ages 9+

Summary:

Ty and Charlie must find their beloved friend, Brack. He's gone missing and no one knows where he is. They do know, however, that he never left the hotel. Where could the famous former magician be in a hotel built by magicians? And what do priceless statues of Greek gods and goddesses have to do with it?

Welcome to the third book in the wonderfully enchanted Hocus Pocus Hotel series. In The Thirteenth Mystery, Ty and Charlie need to find their missing friend, Brack. If he isn't found within 24 hours, he risks losing the hotel he loves dearly to rival magician, Theopolis. No one knows where Brack is. The only thing they do know is that mo security camera footage shows him leaving the hotel. Where could he be? Does the the clump of read hair found on Brack's apartment floor have anything to do it with his disappearance? Also, 50 years ago, priceless statues of gods and goddesses were delivered to the hotel. What was once long forgotten has now been remembered, but by who? What lengths are they willing to go to in order to get them back? 

I have loved this series from the very beginning! The books are fun, lighthearted, and absolutely enchanting. Ty and Charlie are a great team and the setting of a hotel built for, and by magicians, mean endless possibilities. The Thirteenth Mystery was every bit as good as other 2 books in this series. Whereas the previous books were broken up into 2 stories each, this time one plot unfolds. However, within that one plot, several other stories emerge. In this case, priceless Greek statues of gods and goddesses are found within the hotel. They had been delivered 50 years ago, but forgotten. Now one is stolen. Who would want to steal them, why, and how were they able to take one of the heavy stone statues? 

A Snicker of Magic

A Snicker of Magic

By: Natalie Lloyd

320 Pages

Ages 8-12

Summary:

Midnight Gulch used to be a magical place, a town where people could sing up thunderstorms and dance up sunflowers. But that was long ago, before a curse drove the magic away. Twelve-year-old Felicity knows all about things like that; her nomadic mother is cursed with a wandering heart.

But when she arrives in Midnight Gulch, Felicity thinks her luck's about to change. A "word collector," Felicity sees words everywhere---shining above strangers, tucked into church eves, and tangled up her dog's floppy ears---but Midnight Gulch is the first place she's ever seen the word "home." And then there's Jonah, a mysterious, spiky-haired do-gooder who shimmers with words Felicity's never seen before, words that make Felicity's heart beat a little faster.

Felicity wants to stay in Midnight Gulch more than anything, but first, she'll need to figure out how to bring back the magic, breaking the spell that's been cast over the town . . . and her mother's broken heart. -- publisher description, courtesy of Netgalley.com

Every once in a while, a book comes along that is so enchanting and magical that it never leaves you. Long after finishing the final page, the story has stuck with you. Readers, A Snicker of Magic is just that type of book. From Felicity collecting the words she sees everywhere, to the magical town of Midnight Gulch itself, you are going to love every page of the story.

This book was so fun to read. I loved all the characters. The story of the brothers who had the fateful dual had me gripped; wanting to learn more. All the discoveries Felicity makes about herself and her family were done with me right there. You feel the desire to stay in Midnight Gulch, just as Felicity does. You won't want to leave it, either. 

Get ready to go on a journey you will never forget. Get ready to learn how important words truly are. Get ready to have Midnight Gulch change your life. I encourage you to read this book and see life in a way you probably wouldn't before. You won't regret it!

OMG (Oh My Godmother): The Glitter Trap

OMG (Oh My Godmother: The Glitter Trap

By: Barbara Brauner & James Iver Mattson

240 Pages

Lacey Unger-Ware isn't the most popular 12 year old at her school. But life is about the change for her. While delivering food for her parents' restaurant, Lacey accidentally makes off with the Fairy Godmother assigned to make Paige Harrington's dream come true. How could this happen? Let's just say glitter should be used with caution.

Promptly returning the Fairy Godmother to Paige would be the sensible thing to do. But sensible gets a new definition after Lacey's cat eats the fairy. Now with a sprained shoulder, the Godmother is unable to fulfill her duty. This spells out dire consequences for everyone: Paige's dream won't come true; Lacey will spend her whole life with none of her dreams coming true; and the Fairy Godmother will get demoted- possibly to a dryer fairy! There's only one thing to do: Have Lacey take the Fairy Godmother's place and act as Paige's Godmother. Hilarity ensues as Lacey learns how to be a Fairy Godmother. Note: Use a wand with caution! 

Readers will enjoy this story. Funny scenes are throughout the whole book. You've got mass pigeons flying overhead- doing what they do on poor Lacey. You've got World War Pea in the kitchen- the blue wears off at midnight. And you have an overwhelming task to be accomplished in 8 days. What could possibly go wrong? The Chapters aren't very long and they have pictures throughout. Fairy Tale fans will love this spin on the beloved Fairy Godmother.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car

Alright adventure seekers of all ages! Fasten your seat belts and get ready for the ride of your life! Guess who's back....

 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car

By: Ian Fleming

Ages: 9+

She's back and taking you places you've never been before! Join the Potts family as they restore Chitty back to her old glory. With her in charge, never fret when your favorite beach picnic spot is full. Instead of sharing your lunch at an overly crowded beach, Chitty takes you to an island in the middle of the English Channel! However, just mind the tides and don't stay too long.

Once you're picnic afternoon is done, you won't believe what Chitty has in store for you next! 

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Magical Car is a cute, fun read. It's perfect for bedtime reading. Going on all the adventures will be a wonderful addition to any family story time. I had so much fun exploring the cave and having a picnic on a remote island. Ian Fleming is known for his 007 writing, but he's great at children's works, too!

The Cupcake Club: Winner Bakes All

The Cupcake Club: Winner Bakes All

By: Sheryl Berk & Carrie Berk

118 Pages

Ages: 9-12

The third book in The Cupcake Club series has Saddie Harris, Kylie Carson, Jenna Medina, & Lexi Poole facing a challenge like no other: can they win a baking contest?

With business drying up a little, the girls are looking for a way to bring in money. Enter the contest Battle of the Bakers. With the grand prize being $5,000, the Cupcake Club is aiming to win. What they didn't count on was going against seasoned professionals. Nor would they expect the surprise guest judge to be a recent disgruntled client. Can they pull it off and win?

While the club battles professionals  Saddie is fearing her parents are heading for a divorce. Money has been tight, and the stress has her parents fighting a lot more. Is Saddie worried about nothing, or is she fated to be the newest addition to the divorced family statistics at her school?

This book is the 3rd in the series, and the first one I ever read. Having said that, it doesn't affect the story line at all. The authors give you all the information you need, so you don't go through the book feeling like you're missing key details. Had it not been for a couple of instances in the book, you wouldn't know it's the middle of a series. 

I found the book to be cute and charming. I enjoyed meeting each of the girls. Mrs. Lila Vanderwall was a character written to be dis likable  and she is. I was mad when she refused to pay the girls for baking a ton of cupcakes at the last minute for her. Yes, they made a mistake with the decoration, but they fixed it. 

This is a series I would love to read more of. I'll definitely be seeing if my library has the first two books in the series. Very cute and enjoyable.