The second story

Growing up in an orphanage, Leila was bullied for being different. She turned her hardship into skill by becoming an escape artist--a valuable trait when belonging to a group of magical best friends. But when a famous psychic comes to town, Leila and her pals won't be able to escape the big mystery heading their way. Whether chasing mad monkeys or banishing ghosts from haunted hotels, these six friends will do their best to keep Mineral Wells safe--but can they still protect themselves in the process? Join the Magic Misfits as they discover adventure, friendship, and more than a few hidden secrets in this delightful new series. Whether you're a long-time expert at illusion or simply a new fan of stage magic, hold onto your top hat!--

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Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Park Grove Library (Cottage Grove)	J FICTION HAR	Searching... Unknown
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury)	J FICTION HAR	Searching... Unknown
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury)	J FICTION HAR	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

From award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris comes the magical second book in the New York Times bestselling Magic Misfits series--with even more tricks up its sleeve.

Growing up in an orphanage, Leila was bullied for being different. She turned her hardship into skill by becoming an escape artist--a valuable trait when you belong to a group of magical best friends. But when a famous psychic comes to town, Leila and her pals can't escape the big mystery heading their way. Whether chasing mad monkeys or banishing ghosts from haunted hotels, these six friends will do their best to keep their home of Mineral Wells safe--but can they protect themselves?

Join the Magic Misfits as they discover adventure, friendship, and more than a few hidden secrets in this delightful new series. Whether you're a long-time expert at illusion or simply a new fan of stage magic, hold onto your top hat!

...have more questions? I thought you might. Here are some answers:

WHERE? A sleepy town in New England. Within the town is a magic shop, run by the friendly but mysterious Dante Vernon--the gang's caped and top-hatted mentor.

WHO? Carter, who can make things vanish. Leila, who can escape from anything. Theo, who can make things levitate. Ridley, who can invent anything. And twins Olly and Izzy, who can make anyone laugh.

WHY? Because together, these six magical misfits will discover adventure, friendship, and the town's long-hidden secrets.

(Psst. Hey, you! Yes, YOU! Congratulations on reading this far down. As a reward, I'll let you in on a little secret... This book isn't just a book. It's a treasure trove of secrets and ciphers and codes and even tricks. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll discover more than just a story--you'll learn how to make your own magic!)

Author Notes

Neil Patrick Harris is an award winning actor and author of the New York Times bestseller Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Biography.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (3)

Horn Book Review

Escape-artist Leila, who has two adoptive dads and was first introduced in The Magic Misfits, is this second entry's protagonist. The six Misfits use magic tricks, codes, and logic to confront another scheme, here involving clowns, ghosts, and a psychic with surprising secrets; meanwhile, the series' overall mystery, involving a disbanded adult magic club, deepens further. Once again, spot and full-page grayscale illustrations and beginner magic tricks appear throughout. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Review

The Magic Misfits are back for another outing.The second installment in this middle-grade series returns readers to the magic shop in Mineral Wells, where Carterthe protagonist of the first novelfound a family, friends, and a new life. The story centers on Leila, the dark-skinned orphan girl adopted by the Vernons, the gay couple who own the magic shop. The quest for identity is at the center of the tale, as Leila yearns to know why her birthparents abandoned her. The plot thickens when Sandra Santos, a beautiful and mysterious stranger from her father Dante Vernon's past, sweeps into town, and rumors of hauntings at the Grand Oak Resort seem to be linked to magical misdeeds from Dante's younger days. Acceptance, love, and understanding are at the heart of this novel, which features a diverse cast of child characters. Readers who love Harris' (The Magic Misfits, 2017, etc.) screen/stage presence will feel as if he's sitting next to them reading the words aloud, as the dialogue sounds authentic to his own voice. It is too cutesy at times, but the message that friendship helps children conquer adversity is a welcome one. The recap of the first novel is helpful, but interjected magic-trick instructions break the narrative flow.A heartfelt sequel that primes audiences for the next installment. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

The Magic Misfits grace the stage and page for a second time in this continuation of Harris' playful middle-grade series. After putting a stop to thieving carnival owner Bosso in their first adventure, the six kids have a new mystery to solve in Mineral Wells. The Vernons' daughter (and escape-artist-in-training) Leila takes the lead in this installment, as a mischievous monkey and traveling psychic Madame Esmeralda stir up trouble and possibly a few ghosts in town. Still, Leila can't help but admire the spirited clairvoyant. While the Misfits scrutinize curious events and follow clues left by Mr. Vernon's own childhood magic club, Leila struggles to keep a heavy secret. Harris and Azam dole out humor, suspense, and sensitivity in equal measure, once again breaking up the narrative with magic-trick tutorials (don't tell!) and illustrations. More than one mystery comes to light by the story's end, but the magical power of teamwork and family ensures that the Vernons and Misfits are strong enough to face any challenge that arises. This show is just getting started. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: It's no trick: the first book in this series was a best-seller, and a big publisher push reveals this is expected to be every bit as popular.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2010 Booklist

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Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Reviews (3)

Horn Book Review

Kirkus Review

Booklist Review

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