Nothing Up My Sleeve

February 1, 2016
When sixth-grade best friends Loop, Dominic, and Z stumble on a new magic store in town, they quickly decide to become amateur magicians and participate in a competition held by the Texas Association of Magicians. Their first step is perfecting tricks in order to gain entry to the store’s secret vault, something that would be easier if Ariel, the seventh-grade daughter of the shop’s owners, weren’t so scornful of their skills. As the boys bicker good-naturedly about their magic, they also face challenges at home. Z is the youngest in his large family, always last and always in hand-me-downs; Dominic’s divorced parents won’t speak to each other; and Loop has learned that the man he thought was his father is in fact his stepfather. López (Ask My Mood Ring How I Feel) weaves magic tricks, the challenges of friendship and family, and healthy doses of humor into an upbeat coming-of-age story. The boys’ easygoing banter is true to life, and details about their shared Latino background give the novel a strong sense of culture and place. Ages 8–12. Agent: Stefanie Von Borstel, Full Circle Literary.

January 15, 2016
Three 12-year-old friends dedicate a summer to practicing the art of magic, but the real trick lies in dealing not simply with cards, but with their differences. While stage magic frames the narrative, it's the kids' friendships and complex stories that propel the swiftly paced novel. Z, short for Ezio, is the youngest sibling in a big family with financial restraints, and whether at home or with friends, he consistently feels overlooked and underestimated. Dominic's bright (or, as his friends say, a "know-it-all") and a reader; he opts to focus on mentalism rather than card tricks, in part to understand his parents' divorce and hostility. Only-child Loop (an accidental nickname for Guadalupe) has recently learned that his "dad" is not his biological father and feels betrayed by his family, especially his dad. It's during their practice in the back room in the Conjuring Cat magic shop that they meet Mr. Garza, the owner, accountant, and skilled magician who coaches the trio to compete in the Texas Association of Magicians' teen stage contest. Lopez opens the short chapters with apt magicians' terms (flash, heckler, cut, vanish) followed by their definitions, often foreshadowing action and brimming with double-entendres. As related in third-person chapters that rotate through the friends' perspectives and feature believable dialogue, the friends' obstacles are realistic and the finale is satisfying. A clever reveal highlights this appealing, Latino cast. (author's note, resources) (Fiction. 8-12)

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February 1, 2016

Gr 4-6-Vanishing acts, illusions, sleights of hand, and much magic infuse this middle grade novel. Over the summer, a trio of competitive friends haphazardly visit Conjuring Cats, a shop that not only sells amazing tricks but also focuses on training new magicians. Soon, Dominic, Loop, and Z learn of a magic competition just for teens, but myriad obstacles stand in the way of each of the boys. As they prepare specific tricks and techniques, their frustrations mirror their individual weaknesses, which must all be conquered to successfully perform at the magic competition. Expenses, family dynamics, performance nerves, and magic skill become quite a tangle of challenges for the trio. In the end, through practicing magic, the boys learn much more about themselves, their friendship, and their families. Lopez skillfully balances a realistically based friendship story with ample doses of magical elements. Students will be able to relate to these tweens who have authentic, everyday struggles: divorced parents, academic challenges, and financial troubles. Her layered plot will keep middle grade readers engaged, as chapters alternate focus among Loop, Dominic, and Z. Character development is strong, and personal thoughts and emotions are transparent as readers delve deeper into each boy's personal life. Children will be dazzled by Lopez's inclusion of special techniques, popular tricks, and references to famed magicians; most readers will be tempted to try replicating the tricks on their own. VERDICT Intriguing magic and authentic perspectives make this a strong addition for middle grade collections in schools and public libraries.-Mary-Brook J. Townsend, Episcopal Collegiate School Library, Little Rock, AK

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