Stealing Magic: A Sixty Eight Rooms Adventure
by Marianne Malone
illustrated by Greg Call
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication date January 24, 2012
reviewed Donna (Mom)
I loved this book!! Imagine finding a key that allows you to shrink small enough to fit into a dollhouse. That's sort of what happens in this book.
But, I'm getting ahead of myself. I have to begin by saying I did not read the first book in this series, The SixtyEight Rooms. That will soon be rectified. I think, however, this book can be read as a stand alone story. References are made to the first book, but all is explained.
Jack and Ruthie are two sixth grade friends. They have found a magic key which allows them to shrink and enter into the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago. The book is much more involved than this. There is an art thief on the prowl. One who steals from the Thorne Rooms. You see, certain objects in each of the rooms allow the rooms to come to life. Magic. Yes, magic. These items are being stolen from the museum. The two kids must find a way to retrieve the stolen objects and catch the thief! Sound dangerous? You bet! But the book is a lot of fun. I think middle school kids will love the story and yearn for more adventures.
This was an incredible book to read. I enjoyed the brief history lessons and the manner in which the author introduced characters from each time period into the story. She managed to explain Nazi Germany without going overboard or being judgmental, and she explained slavery from the viewpoint of a southern pre civil war slave. She mixed history with fiction and created magic.
A 5 star book!!
by Marianne Malone
illustrated by Greg Call
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication date January 24, 2012
reviewed Donna (Mom)
I loved this book!! Imagine finding a key that allows you to shrink small enough to fit into a dollhouse. That's sort of what happens in this book.
But, I'm getting ahead of myself. I have to begin by saying I did not read the first book in this series, The SixtyEight Rooms. That will soon be rectified. I think, however, this book can be read as a stand alone story. References are made to the first book, but all is explained.
Jack and Ruthie are two sixth grade friends. They have found a magic key which allows them to shrink and enter into the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago. The book is much more involved than this. There is an art thief on the prowl. One who steals from the Thorne Rooms. You see, certain objects in each of the rooms allow the rooms to come to life. Magic. Yes, magic. These items are being stolen from the museum. The two kids must find a way to retrieve the stolen objects and catch the thief! Sound dangerous? You bet! But the book is a lot of fun. I think middle school kids will love the story and yearn for more adventures.
This was an incredible book to read. I enjoyed the brief history lessons and the manner in which the author introduced characters from each time period into the story. She managed to explain Nazi Germany without going overboard or being judgmental, and she explained slavery from the viewpoint of a southern pre civil war slave. She mixed history with fiction and created magic.
A 5 star book!!
