Carnival Magic

Gr 3–6—In this companion novel to Castle in the Mist, Tess and Max return to England to enjoy a seaside holiday with their aunt. Once again, magic is magnetically drawn to Tess as she and Max are transported to a seemingly alternate world during a trip to a traveling carnival. Trapped in this strange place, they meet several mysterious characters, including the Baranova twins, who perform in the aerial ballet and attempt to help Tess and Max escape back home. On the run from menacing carnival owner Lorenzo, Tess and Max slip through a mirror portal and discover the missing eldest Baranova. Placing friendship and loyalty above self-preservation, Tess and Max undertake a journey to reunite their new friends' family as well as their own. Ephron excels in creating an enchanted yet believable world in which both good and evil exist. The hazy, dreamlike atmosphere of the carnival provides cover for the enigmatic danger that surrounds it. Tess and Max experience the thrills of magic, but also learn it can be wielded to cause harm. Similar to the author's previous work, the setting is contemporary—yet the language and tone feel distinctly nostalgic.