Thomas Wildus and the Book of Sorrows

Gr 4–7—Thomas's mother has done everything possible for him to grow up as a normal and ordinary boy—he has close friends, attends a regular school, and puts up with school bullies—just a normal life of a 12-soon-to-be-13-year-old. A visit to a bookstore, H&A Bookseller, Purveyors of Fine Books and Rare Manuscripts, opens up doors for Thomas and sends him on an adventure of a lifetime. The bookstore owners hand him a mysterious leather-bound Book of Sorrows with strict instructions: "read it one chapter at a time, read it when you are alone, and do not tell anyone about the book." Does it have magical powers? Each day the cover changes and gives him a clue. Thomas goes from an ordinary boy to one who needs answers to clues from the book. Strange vehicles appear, he encounters a woman with an interesting pendant, and catches glimpses of certain special lights. Because of the tome, he acquires a new family of mentors: Huxley, the Alchemist and Adelia, his wife, Professor Reilly, and Scott. Thomas also uncovers the dark side of magic when Arius, Arianna, and others enter the picture. His best friend Enrique also comes along for the ride. This series opener introduces middle graders a wonderful world of magic, suspense, and teleportation.