Wizardmatch

January 15, 2018
A young, biracial wizard struggles between fighting for her dreams and cheering on her family in this humorous and stirring fantasy.With a Filipino father and a white (and magic-working) mother, 12-year-old Lennie Mercado has worked all her life to strengthen her magic, while her younger brother, Michael, just likes to goof around. She finally gets a chance at her dream of magic without limitations when her eccentric and impulsive grandfather Poppop steps down as Prime Wizard of the family and hosts a Wizardmatch competition among his grandchildren. Poppop surprises the entire family when he announces that only one sibling from each family can compete. Then Lennie overhears him tell her mother she doesn't have the Prime Wizard look. Changed by these words, she faces an emotionally difficult journey through favoritism, sibling rivalry, and self-doubt. Magaziner creates an amusing wizard world with wacky settings and characters. She introduces a multiracial female protagonist and culture without overexplaining Filipino words, so there is no interruption to the narrative. She also weaves in themes of gender and racial equality, ultimately affirming the possibility of changing others' mindsets by speaking up. Overall, it's a heartwarming, often funny fantasy that balances magic and whimsy with topics all youth can relate to.A stirring yet comedic look at the importance of family. (Fantasy. 9-12)

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February 1, 2018

Gr 3-6-Lennie Mercado and her brother Michael have weak magical powers inherited from their mother. They love practicing and competing to see who can stay invisible the longest. They know they come from a wizarding family, but have recently discovered that their Poppop, Prime Wizard of Pomporromp, is ready to choose a successor using a magical competition called Wizardmatch. The winner will become the next Prime Wizard and the keeper of the most powerful of the family's magic. Lennie knows she'll be competing for the title against Michael and many of her cousins, but she's certain she's a shoo-in for the job. Upon arrival at the Castle, the Mercados and their cousins find out that their arrogant, childish grandfather is changing the rules of Wizardmatch, and no one is happy. When Lennie realizes her chances at being Prime Wizard have just shrunk to almost zero, she decides to find another way to get Poppop's attention. Lots of campy humor, puns, and wordplay should make this a fun read for the upper elementary set. The plot is paced well and younger kids will delight in all of Pomporromp Castle's creatively imagined magical oddities, like the Jelly Floor, the Garden of Goulash, and a pool made of chocolate pudding. There is a strong emphasis on gender equity which gets a bit didactic and heavy-handed, and while Lennie is described as half-Filipino, that is never really explored beyond several offhand mentions. VERDICT Purchase where goofy magical fantasy is in high demand.-Mandy Laferriere, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2018
Grades 3-6 Make way for Lennie, who is ready to compete against her cousins in Wizardmatch, a competition where the prize is the Prime Wizard position among her family and unlimited powers. Lennie practices every day to improve her invisibility skills and is absolutely thrilled when she learns her grandfather will be holding this competition. But when he changes the rules and everything is stacked against Lennie (as well as all the other girls in the family), she turns to sabotage to try to destroy the system altogether. Magaziner employs comically absurd language and turns of phrase, which cultivates a vivid fantasy atmosphere. Readers will cheer Lennie on for her well-intentioned subterfuge, and they'll revel in Magaziner's descriptions of odd activities, such as taking a dip in the pudding pool, and the vibrant character dynamics, not to mention the quirks of her grandfather's grand estate. With over-the-top dialogue and an appealing cartoonish quality, middle-grade fantasy adventure fans won't want to miss the fun, intrigue, and clever scheming at Pomporromp Castle.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)