Mike Lane

I will admit that I rather had to push myself through this book, but I think it's one of those that will definitely appeal to children, and not so much to an adult reader, which is no bad thing for a children's book.

Mike has just started fourth grade and he's already in trouble. It's not that he's a bad kid, he just can't focus or sit still in school. His parents won't let him join the soccer team because they want him to concentrate on his homework, and he has to spend half his afternoons show more at Nora's house. She's not bad, for a girl, but what if someone finds out? Like Jackson, who has bullied him all through school? Plus, she's gifted and he feels stupid around her.

Then they discover a magic shop. Will Mike be able to impress some kids with his magic tricks? Best of all, is there more to magic than just the tricks the owner is teaching him?

Wight's digital black and white illustrations are crisp and attractive and are really clear in illustrating the instructions for various magic tricks that are included in the book. Reading the story, it felt a little didactic and slow-paced, and I was thinking - "it's at a beginning chapter book but it's about a fourth grader so..." until I realized that it's going to appeal exactly to kids like Mike, who won't want to read a massive book, want something they can relate to, and need a fun hook.

So, it's got all of those things. It's only 142 pages long, with nice bold text in a large font and illustrations. Not daunting at all for a reluctant reader. It's going to appeal to kids who want to read stories about kids they can relate to, since it doesn't feature kids improbably taking off on their own or a stereotyped bully. Finally, it's got hooks - the magic tricks and the hints about magic being real.

Verdict: If your library is like mine, you have a lot of kids interested in magic tricks. This will meet the desires of both the kids and their parents, who want them to read chapter books. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781250029140; Published 2014 by Feiwel & Friends; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Added to the library's order list show less

This book is not just about learning magic, but about the magic of learning. Mike and Nora are in fourth grade. Nora is an exceptional student. She has no problem studying and always seems to give the right answers. Mike on the other hand can't seem to stay focused. He is constantly fidgeting in class. His attention seems to wander when reading a book or trying to listen in the classroom. His grades are only borderline passing. He is always under the teacher's thumb for some small show more infraction. Don't get me wrong. Mike isn't a bad kid, nor is he incapable of learning. He just can't seem to focus on the job at hand. Nothing holds his attention. That is until he and Nora discover a magic shop that they have never noticed before right in their hometown. Can hocus pocus help Mike focus? You'll have a lot of fun learning the power of magic along with Mike and Nora. Book provided by Feiwel and Friends publishers for review. show less

Cute book! The main characters (Mike and Nora) are in 4th grade, and Amazon lists this book as grades 2 - 4, but I think it will resonate more soundly with those in the 2 & 3 level. There are plenty of issues at hand, but none of them delve very deeply. For example, the bully Jackson is more of a pain in the butt than a true bully. Mike has what readers will recognize as ADHD (it's never stated) so he has trouble in school - but not so much trouble that his teachers don't believe in him. He show more also has issues with friendships - but not issues that are so blatant that he doesn't have three good friends. Overall, I think the book was solidly written and interesting without making kids feel like they're delving into another character's black hole of issues. show less

TTeachers always send Mike to the principal because he can’t sit still or focus on work. He needs to be moving and, when he’s not, he gets upset. His parents have been working with him on coping strategies, but they don’t seem to work. The fresh start he’d hoped for in fourth grade seems to be gone. On top of everything else, he’s being bullied again by Jackson, a neighborhood bully and his parents are making him hang out with Nora, a gifted kid, every day after school.

Just when show more things seem to be at their worst, Mike discovers magic. Suddenly he finds something he’s good at, and is ready to do what it takes to be the best magician he can be.

I enjoyed this book, and know my fourth graders will too.

Book review link: show less