Stealing Magic

It's a great pleasure to rejoin Ruthie and Jack in this sequel to THE SIXTY-EIGHT ROOMS. Both books take place in the Thorne Miniature Rooms at Chicago's Art Institute. Narrator Cassandra Campbell once again adds her warm and charming voice to Malone's many well-drawn characters. In their time travel, the kids meet and help Louisa, a Jewish girl who is leaving Europe during WWII, and Phoebe, a slave girl from South Carolina. They also manage track down an art thief. Campbell accurately delivers German and Southern accents and a splendid range of Chicago twangs. Along with the fascinating mystery, many interesting history and art lessons are imparted without sounding didactic. Author Malone closes by distinguishing between truth and fantasy. One hopes future adventures await an appreciative audience. S.G.B. (c) AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine