"Nippy prose, lighthearted stakes, physical comedy, and thriller pacing... A rollicking adventure." — Kirkus Reviews
"No sleight of hand here, this enjoyable caper charms with a strong sense of camaraderie and imagination." — School Library Journal
"Mystery readers and adventure fans will find much to appreciate in this zippy, well-constructed novel." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for the WISHMAKERS series: “Looking for a fantastically fast-paced and funny read? Bazang! Your wish is granted!” — Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library and co-author of the I Funny series
“If I had one wish it would be to forget I read this book, so I could read it all over again. The consequence, of course, would be uncontrollable laughter at the turn of every page.” — John Kloepfer, author of The Zombie Chasers series and Monsters Unleashed
“Whitesides concocts an ingenious premise. High hilarity, with a climactic twist that will leave readers fervently wishing for the sequel.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Praise for the JANITORS series: “Entertaining...with plenty of twists and turns!” — Brandon Mull, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fablehaven series and the Five Kingdoms series
“Enormously entertaining.” — Orson Scott Card, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Ender’s Game
“Action-packed and surprising!” — Publishers Weekly
"Mystery readers and adventure fans will find much to appreciate in this zippy, well-constructed novel."
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Praise for the WISHMAKERS series: “Looking for a fantastically fast-paced and funny read? Bazang! Your wish is granted!
Enormously entertaining.”
If I had one wish it would be to forget I read this book, so I could read it all over again. The consequence, of course, would be uncontrollable laughter at the turn of every page.”
Praise for the JANITORS series: “Entertaining...with plenty of twists and turns!”
"Mystery readers and adventure fans will find much to appreciate in this zippy, well-constructed novel."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Mystery readers and adventure fans will find much to appreciate in this zippy, well-constructed novel."
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
12/01/2020
Gr 4–7— Thirteen-year-old Mason Morrison is in the middle of failing his oral book report when the music box he's using as a visual aid magically transports his entire class to Antarctica. Each time Mason opens the music box, he unwittingly sends the group to far off locales until finally two agents of Magix, a secret organization overseeing magic, arrest Mason for being a wanted criminal. Mason is stunned to discover magic indeed exists and that there is video evidence of him stealing numerous magical objects. Before he can be put to trial, Mason is rescued by brilliant apprentice detective Avery Lobster. Along with a useful but grumpy white rabbit, these likable underdogs work together to clear Mason's name and uncover a much larger conspiracy that threatens the future of magic. Though light on world-building, the central premise is inventive and unique. This plot-driven story relies heavily on Mason and Avery escaping from various threats and while the fast-paced action is entertaining, it keeps them both fairly one-dimensional. This is a minor issue, as readers will celebrate the satisfying conclusion that neatly ties together several threads from the intricate plot. There is an assumed white default, as Mason's appearance is not described in the text while other characters, including Avery, are only described when they have traits such as brown skin and black hair. VERDICT No sleight of hand here, this enjoyable caper charms with a strong sense of camaraderie and imagination.—Sophie Kenney, Aurora P.L., IL
2020-10-27
Mason Mortimer Morrison ranks No. 1 on Magix’s Most Wanted List—but has no idea why! Since his dad was incarcerated for a bank robbery, life has gone downhill: Mom’s always working, school’s a drag, and nobody but Hamid, a 10-year-old neighbor, wants to hang out. Everything changes when a magical music box interrupts a catastrophic book report and two agents from Magix’s Investigation Division take Mason into custody. Mason, they claim, is an Ed—an Educated person who understands how magic functions—while most people are blissfully unaware Igs, or Ignorants. Magic manifests in boons, once-ordinary objects imbued with power by good deeds—and Mason stands accused of pillaging a boon storage facility. Before Magix enacts a harsh sentence, Mason’s sprung from their clutches by the mysterious Avery, who claims she’s an apprentice detective, and the two begin working to prove his innocence. As they gather evidence, an unknown Mastermind begins interfering with their efforts—and seems to predict their every move. Can Mason and Avery sway Magix, or will the Mastermind’s plan prevail? Whitesides’ latest relies on nippy prose, lighthearted stakes, physical comedy, and thriller pacing to bring a large, inscrutable, sequel-begging bureaucracy to life. Mason seems to be White; Avery is cued as Black, and black-haired Hamid’s family emigrated from England.
A rollicking adventure. (Fantasy adventure. 9-13)
