"THE WRONG SIDE OF MAGIC," by Janette Rallison, Feiwel and Friends, $16.99, 336 pages (f) (ages 9 and up)
Hudson Brown’s little sister, Bonnie, is devastated because her beloved cat is sick in “The Wrong Side of Magic.” But when Charlotte Smith, the new eccentric girl at school, tells Bonnie the cure for her cat can be found in the magical world of Logos, Hudson becomes frustrated.
He isn’t sure why Charlotte persists in carrying on the tale of her mystical hometown, but he needs to convince Bonnie of the truth: Logos is only a figment of crazy Charlotte’s imagination. However, after getting hold of Charlotte’s enchanted compass, he finds himself transported to the mystical world of Logos, suddenly a believer and wondering how to find his way home.
Soon Hudson and Charlotte find themselves on a quest in the beautiful, yet dangerous, world of Logos to save a kidnapped princess. As they journey, Hudson learns that although Charlotte has several quirks, her heart is pure and she exemplifies true friendship. He begins to compare her to other more popular girls at school and realizes her strength of character is worth more than the good looks and witty comebacks he had once valued.
Author Janette Rallison’s book is full of unicorns, magic and mystical curses. The world of Logos, along with its colorful flowers and people who take things that are said literally, is a fun one to become immersed in. Not only is her writing wonderful, but the subtle messages she intersperses throughout her book, such as the worth of friendship, truth and honesty, are taught in a fun, nonlecturing type of way. “The Wrong Side of Magic” is entertaining and can leave readers striving to be better friends and people.
“The Wrong Side of Magic” has no swearing, violence or sexual content.
It is one of five 2016 Whitney Award finalists in the middle grade category. The Whitney Awards recognize novels by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A native of Washington, Rallison attended Brigham Young University. She currently lives with her family in Chandler, Arizona.
Elizabeth Reid has bachelor's degrees in economics and history. A wife and mother, she loves learning people's love stories and blogs about her own at agoodreid.blogspot.com.