Dorko the Magnificent

xxpish - Robbie Darko wants to be a world-famous magician. He has done several acts, some of them in the talent show, but they haven’t always turned out so great. Today is his mom’s birthday and he wants to do a special magic trick for her-pulling the tablecloth out from under the china set on the table. A few days after the bad turnout of the trick, Grandma Melvin, Robbie’s grandma, offers to teach him magic lessons. With the talent show coming close, will Grandma Melvin help him? Or will she just sit and watch The Wheel Of Fortune while she is laughing at him? In a enjoyable and magical story, Beaty keeps fans cheering for her and Robbie until the very last page. My thoughts: I really loved this book. The cover is pretty awesome and you want to know something weird? The first time I saw the cover I thought the rabbit was a grandma. Call me crazy, but I promise you. I loved all the magic in this story; Robbie Darko is trying so hard to end his years at Elementary School with a bang, so he can be remembered there for years to come. The grandma is so crazy; in a good way. She thinks that the “zoysia grass is attacking her” and yells at the TV. She is such a character, and was written very skillfully. The added bits of humor in this Middle-Grade story were wonderful, and I think I will check out more books by Andrea Beaty.

March 4, 2013
Fifth-grader Robbie Darko has been obsessed with becoming a magician for years, but the illusions he performs tend to end in disaster. Robbie is less than excited when his grandmother moves in with his family temporarily, but could Grandma Melvyn—with her bedazzled sweatshirts, steady stream of insults, and Wheel of Fortune obsession—actually be a master of misdirection herself? The testy intergenerational relationship between Robbie and his grandmother forms the heart of the story; the family’s financial troubles, Robbie’s father’s frequent absences, and Robbie’s friendships hover at the periphery. Humor and poignancy,
triumph and failure are balanced throughout, though Beaty (Attack of the Fluffy Bunnies) sends the story veering to tragedy in the final pages in a way that is likely to surprise (and possibly upset) readers. Nonetheless, while Robbie explains early on that he won’t be divulging any magicians’ secrets (“If you’re reading this book to find out how magic tricks work... you’re reading the wrong story”), readers will come away learning at least one key to making magic: hard work. Ages 8–12. Agent: Edward Necarsulmer IV, McIntosh & Otis.

March 1, 2013
A young would-be magician gets lessons in both stagecraft and life from a crusty elder. Fifth-grader Robbie Darko is horrified to learn that he'll be giving up his room to terrifying, old Grandma Melvyn while she waits for a knee operation. Discovering that she had been a renowned magician in her early days, though, he sees opportunity. He earns her respect and enlists her help with his act for the upcoming school talent show by gradually learning how to stand up to her harsh tongue and temper. What she teaches him are not new tricks but deeper principles, from "Your job is to make [audiences] believe impossible things" to the values of relentless preparation and of flexibility when things go wrong. These initially seem disappointingly abstract but stand him in good stead both for the show and for when Grandma Melvyn takes another, final trip to the hospital. The author creates a sympathetic cast, but Robbie's habit of refusing to describe his tricks while overexplaining everything else in his life may leave readers wanting to know less about him and more about Grandma Melvyn and his best friend Cat, a classmate with a real gift for connecting with people. Beaty slips in some important stuff here, but the supporting characters steal the show. (Fiction. 10-12)

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Starred review from June 1, 2013

Gr 4-6-Fifth grade has been tough for Robbie Darko, an aspiring illusionist who can't perform even the simplest trick without accidentally setting things on fire. His dad constantly travels for work, his mom tries to help make ends meet with a demanding new job, his teachers are fed up with his havoc-wreaking magic tricks, and his little brother is a huge pain. To make matters worse, Robbie is asked to give up his bedroom to eccentric and unrelentingly cantankerous Grandma Melvyn (actually, his great-great-aunt). Robbie eventually learns that Grandma Melvyn was once a celebrated magician. With the help of his affable friend Cat, he slowly earns Grandma's approval and, ultimately, her trust and affection. She not only coaches Robbie in showmanship and sleight of hand, but she also guides him down the path to self-confidence and self-discipline. Robbie's maturation is ultimately tested when Grandma Melvyn makes a final trip to the hospital. Beaty develops well-rounded main and supporting characters with genuine flaws and emotions, skillfully building their relationships. Though the protagonist's flashback narration occasionally meanders, it has an authentic middle-grade voice that will have readers laughing out loud. The moments where Robbie takes responsibility for his mistakes and shows vulnerability will serve as positive examples for young audiences. Satisfying and enjoyable, Dorko will engage reluctant and voracious readers alike.-Elly Schook, Jamieson Elementary School, Chicago

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