Balthazar Fabuloso in the Lair of the Humbugs

Gr 4–6—Brindle's entertaining tale of rivalry between two contemporary families of real and stage magicians—the (mostly) loving, caring, and functional Fabulosos and their "worst nightmare," the conniving, malevolent, quarrelsome Fistulas—is related from the viewpoint of Balthazar, the second oldest Fabuloso youngster and only family member lacking magical ability. It's the day of the Fabulosos' annual winter holiday family show at the Magic Mansion Dinner Theater, and Balthazar's pet dove, Rover, is acting strangely. Then, the Fabulosos suddenly vanish from the stage and don't return. For the first time in his life, Balthazar must take charge of an unfamiliar and most unusual situation that involves the Fistulas' 11-year-old daughter, Pagan; Balthazar's long-lost Uncle Ignatius Fabuloso; and some fantastic, magical characters, including three Magi, each looking for "an apprentice who carries a spark of True Magick to train in the ways of the Magi." Balthazar must also be on the lookout for his missing family. There is evil in the magical world. A dark force called the Gloaming desires to devour all living things and return the world to chaos and nothingness. Entries from Pagan's diary, scattered throughout the story, offer readers some clues.