THE MAGIC THIEF--OUT THIS WEEK!

In April, I was invited to a dinner sponsored by Cover to Cover Bookstore where I got to meet Sarah Prineas, author of the new book--out this week--The Magic Thief. If you are a fantasy reader, you'll want a copy of this book right away.

THE MAGIC THIEF is the first in a trilogy. It is a great fantasy that I think lots of my fantasy readers will love. (I had one of my Harry Potter fans read the first chapter online and she was immediately hooked!)

Since so many people have reviewed it, I'll send you to their reviews and then let you know my thinking as a teacher--who might love this book.

There is lots to love about the book. It is a great story about wizards and magic. There are good guys and bad guys. The characters are quite fun and you come to know them quickly. There is humor. The setting is magical-as would be expected.

As a teacher, I love some things about the format. It is a thick book but the print and page set-up makes it very accessible to kids. I am thinking grades 4-6 is perfect for this book. It has lots to it--it isn't watered down like some fantasies for kids, but has all of the things we love about a good fantasy. I am thinking of lots of kids who might like it--those who are new to fantasy and who are pretty skilled readers could read this as a first fantasy. I predict that those readers who love Harry Potter and other fantasies will love to know of this new fantasy series. And I think those readers who can't yet handle Harry Potter will be thrilled with this book. So many readers who will love it.

Tomorrow, we'll post an interview with author Sarah Prineas! And, if you live in the Columbus area, she will be at Cover to Cover bookstore on Saturday, June 7th at 11:00 a.m. She'll talk a bit and then do a signing. It is coming out right in time for Mother Reader's 48 Hour Read!

A great preview of the book is up on the Harper Collins website. You can preview and read quite a bit of it online before it is available. You can also have all kinds of fun playing games, meeting the characters and more on this fun site.

(By the way, Sarah is a member of the Class of 2K8--a group that I love. So many great new voices in children's/YA lit. I pay close attention to them and have found some great books--like this one! If you haven't checked out their site, it would be a VERY good idea to do so!)