The Magic Misfits

October 16, 2017
Carter, a young street magician, “stopped trusting in wonderful, happy, fantastic things” after his parents vanished and he was taken in by his “uncle,” Sly Mike, who hustles passersby. After years of being forced to help Sly Mike con people, Carter runs away, hops a train, and winds up in the town of Mineral Wells. There, he discovers a “two-bit sideshow” run by B.B. Bosso and meets Dante Vernon, a kind illusionist, and five talented children: Theo, skilled in levitation; escape artist Leila; twin entertainers Olly and Izzy; and Ridley, the brains of the operation. Quickly becoming friends, the children band together to stop Bosso from stealing from the unsuspecting town. A handful of magic lessons are interspersed throughout, and the narrator’s irreverent tone and direct addresses to readers make this a good choice for fans of Lemony Snicket and Pseudonymous Bosch. With an emphasis on friendship and individuality, this fast-paced and clever series opener should have readers eager to check out future installments. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Laura Nolan, Aevitas Creative Management. Illustrator’s agency: Astound.

Narrating this first in a series, Neil Patrick Harris's tone aims at taking listeners into his confidence. After giving tips on how to listen, Harris dives into the story. Carter is desperate to leave his miserable life assisting his guardian, a con artist. After he finally escapes on a train, he finds himself in Mineral Wells, where he's welcomed by an illusionist and a gang of five friends who are young, quirky, and a bit magical. Can they save the town from the scheming B.B. Bosso and his traveling slideshow? Harris's breathless style suggests he's telling the story exclusively for each listener. His characters are distinctive: Carter's trust issues are portrayed clearly; the other young people sound believable; and the villain, B.B. Bosso, comes across as appropriately gruff and conniving. While the quick changes in character voices can be a bit jarring at times, overall, the many characters add to the story's excitement. A.R. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine