A Method for Magic and Misfortune
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
A boy discovers magic — along with a hidden darkness — in his town in this propulsive and heartfelt middle grade novel perfect for fans of PET and THE LOST LIBRARY.
Twelve-year-old Marcus Pennrider feels far from magical. He's trying his best to balance school, a part-time job, and looking after his little sister. On top of that, his aunt has moved in with them to be their new caretaker.
But one day, Marcus discovers a secret magic flows through the streets of Grand Park — magic that can make money out of thin air, or control the weather — and everything seems to start changing for the better. Marcus even catches the attention of Mr. O, local corner store owner and beloved leader in the community, who takes Marcus under his wing and teaches him how to use magic.
As Marcus delves into the strange world of Divination, he becomes entrenched in a rigorous magical training program...and discovers that Mr. O may not be who he seems. It'll be up to Marcus to decide who his true family is, and that perhaps the real magic of Grand Park lies much closer to home.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A hardworking tween obtains magical abilities at an unexpected cost in this endearing fantasy novel by Farmer (Kwame Crashes the Underworld). Following his single mother's death in a car accident, 12-year-old Marcus looks after his younger sister, hoping to alleviate some of the strain his aunt has been experiencing since the siblings came under her care. When Marcus discovers magic flowing through Grand Park that enables him to conjure money, among other things, it seems as if his family's problems are solved. His abilities catch the eye of community leader Mr. O, the closest thing to a father figure Marcus has had since his physically abusive dad left. Intending to teach Marcus the art of divination, Mr. O enrolls him into a rigorous magical training program. But as Mr. O becomes increasingly suspect, Marcus must reevaluate his priorities and reconsider his values. In a heartfelt novel that examines themes of family and motivation, Farmer empathetically addresses abuse and loss—and the hardships one might face in their aftermath—across Marcus's nuanced and thoughtfully rendered first-person perspective. The protagonists cue as Black. Ages 8–12.
