Synopses & Reviews
Robbie Darko is a magician. An old-school, pull-a-rabbit-out-of-your-hat-style magician. Robbie loves magic and hes good at itsort of. Despite his best efforts, passion, and practice, something always goes wrong with his tricks, landing Robbie in trouble. Enter crotchety Grandma Melvyn, who calls everyone Trixie” and complains about everything. When Grandma Melvyn moves in and takes over his room, Robbie discovers that she was once an internationally renowned magician and learns about the heartache that turned her into a bitter woman. Against all odds, Robbie and Grandma Melvyn form an uneasy alliance to show the worldor at least the kids of Hobson Elementary Schoolthat he is a true magician. Shortly after a successful talent show, Grandma Melvyn performs a final disappearing act, and Robbie learns a little about the true meaning of magic.
Written with pitch-perfect middle-grade humor and unforgettable characters, this gem of a novel will stay with readers long after Dorko the Magnificent has taken his final bow.
Praise for Dorko the Magnificent
"A young would-be magician gets lessons in both stagecraft and life from a crusty elder... the supporting characters steal the show."
Kirkus Reviews
"Short chapters keep the story moving. Robbie has impressive determination, but it is Grandma Melvyn who is the star in this moving story."
Booklist
"Satisfying and enjoyable, Dorko will engage reluctant and voracious readers alike."
School Library Journal
" A thoroughly likable middle-grade novel, offering a blend of poignancy and giggle-worthy humor, this book is a solid back-to-school read."
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Literature circles would work well with this title that deals with alienation, friendship, family, reconciliation, and death."
Library Media Connection
Synopsis
Now in paperback! Lily has read every Nancy Drew book in the library. Shes great at spying clues and keeping secrets. She has to be. She has secrets of her own that no one can ever find out.
When summer brings lying, stealing Tinny Bridges to town, Lily must depend on her own wits to keep ahead of this sly newcomer. Tinny takes candy from the general store and blames Lily. She tries to steal Lilys friends and even her fathers affection. Worst of all, she seems to know Lilys secret. When Tinny goes missing, only Lily has an idea what happened to her. But for Lily, finding Tinny means confronting her hidden past.
With its taut-pacing and lyrical writing, Andrea Beatys critically acclaimed mystery has been hailed as the kind of satisfying read that summer is all about” (School Library Journal). Praise for Cicada Summer
One part memory, one part mystery, and a generous dose of atmosphere make this the kind of satisfying read that Summer Reading is all about.” School Library Journal
Beaty weaves elements from Lilys favorite Nancy Drew stories together with a moving picture of a child . . .” Kirkus
Written with clarity and fine attention to craft, this accessible novel reveals the secret in Lilys past just as she reaches out to solve the mystery.” Booklist
About the Author
Andrea Beaty was raised in a small southern Illinois town, where her family ran a tiny grocery store. When she wasnt roaming the nearby fields with her brothers and sisters, she was reading Nancy Drew mysteries up in the branches of a maple tree. Andrea now lives outside Chicago with her family. She is the author of When Giants Come to Play, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes, and Iggy Peck, Architect, illustrated by David Roberts. Andrea blogs about funny books for kids at www.ThreeSillyChicks.com. Learn more about her at www.AndreaBeaty.com.