Midnight Magic

Gr 5—8—Mangus the magician and his faithful servant, Fabrizio, find themselves at the center of a complicated court intrigue when the king of Pergamontio brings them to the castle to determine if his young daughter is being visited by a ghost. Fabrizio discovers that the prince, who is supposedly on a trip to Rome, is actually feared murdered and that many are afraid that there is a traitor in the castle. Complicating matters, the king expects Mangus to use magic to get to the truth, while at the same time publicly decrying the practice. Jeff Woodman perfectly captures the intensity and quick pacing of Avi's story (Scholastic, 2004). Each character is a given a unique voice that convincingly depicts the individual's personality. Fabrizio's portrayal is particularly appealing as Woodman voices the boy with a quirky combination of intellect and superstition. Fine vocals combined with a suspenseful, action-packed story should appeal to a wide range of listeners.—Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT