Ordinary Magic

April 23, 2012
Having grown up in a world in which magic is used for everything—from whipping up breakfast to traveling (via flying carpet)—12-year-old Abby is distraught after she is declared an “ord,” entirely devoid of magic. Most families either cast out ord children or sell them to conniving adventurers, but, in an inversion of the magical boarding school trope, Abby is enrolled in Rothermere, a school where ords learn how to survive without magic. There, Abby meets friends and finds that, despite widespread prejudice against them, there are advantages to being an ord (“Ords can’t do magic,” explains an instructor. “And magic can’t
really do ords either”). The first middle-grade novel from Rubino-Bradway (co-author of Lady Vernon and Her Daughter, for adults) takes its time getting underway; when, in the second half, treasure hunters kidnap Abby and other students, the plot picks up. On the whole, it’s a fairly mild adventure with dashes of humor (characters include Barbarian Mike and King Steve); Abby, as a truly “normal” heroine, is easy to identify with. Unfinished business suggests a sequel is in store. Ages 8–12. Agent: Lauren Galit, LKG Agency.

April 1, 2012
Harry Potter in reverse. In a magical world, a young girl is judged to be merely ordinary, changing the course of her life forever. When 12-year-old Abby Hale passes through the archway of the "Barrier of Fortitude" on the day of her Judging, nothing happens. Even when she repeats the effort over and over again: nada. Mr. Graidy, the ancient head of the Guild painfully concludes: "She has nothing. She is nothing. She's an ord." In the magical universe where Abby resides, "ords" are outcasts. Many are rejected by their families, friends and schools; some are either sold to or kidnapped by exploitative treasure hunters. But Abby is spared the worst since her gifted older sister is in service to the Department of Education and the sympathetic King Stephen. In her debut for children, Rubino-Bradway tells Abby's tale in a first-person narration characterized by upbeat energy and action, treating readers to a jaunt filled with caring schoolmates, teachers, siblings and parents, as well as heartless enemies. While the author has crafted an allegory that successfully lampoons mindless prejudice and coupled it with a pitch to make do with one's own limitations, the story eventually deteriorates into a jumble of repetitive escapades with characters who adjust to their circumstances but don't evolve. Promising, but not quite there yet. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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May 15, 2012
Grades 4-6 Like other 12-year-olds in her land, where magic is commonplace, Abby is tested for her magical potential. Shockingly, none is detected, and she is labeled an ord. Seen as subnormal misfits, ords are often disowned by their families, but Abby's unusually supportive parents send her to a special boarding school instead. There she and her new friends learn to adapt to their status, with its attendant inconveniences (washing dishes without the benefit of magic spells) and mortal dangers (fighting off kidnappers and bloodthirsty goblins). Fresh, confiding, and amusing, Abby's first-person narration will draw readers into the story, which quickly picks up momentum as it rolls along. Harry Potter fans will find plenty to enjoy here, including Abby's large, happy Weasley-esque family and her scrappy response to those attacking her and her friends. With a likable protagonist and a large cast of distinctive characters, this lively fantasy has good potential for sequels.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)