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misspippireads's review against another edition
3.0
Abby Carnelia wasn't looking for magic. It appeared before with a simple tug of an earlobe. After tugging her earlobe, a hard boiled egg spun around. It's different, it's freaky. Did other kids have such powers?
Abby's journey is amusing. If readers enjoy everyday magic, this would be an excellent read to pass along. If readers are more into fantasy magic, this selection would be easy to pass up. The best part of the book would be the author's notes at the end of the story. I wish his notes would have been at the beginning. I would have enjoyed this story with the extra background knowledge.
David Pogue writes for the New York Times. He also appears on television and blogs. As a reader, his rendition was all right. It felt a bit over the top to me. At times, his enunciation was not clear. It was rather amusing to hear a magic camp called, "Abra Cadaver." As I stated earlier, if a child is interested in reality based magic, this book is for you.
Abby's journey is amusing. If readers enjoy everyday magic, this would be an excellent read to pass along. If readers are more into fantasy magic, this selection would be easy to pass up. The best part of the book would be the author's notes at the end of the story. I wish his notes would have been at the beginning. I would have enjoyed this story with the extra background knowledge.
David Pogue writes for the New York Times. He also appears on television and blogs. As a reader, his rendition was all right. It felt a bit over the top to me. At times, his enunciation was not clear. It was rather amusing to hear a magic camp called, "Abra Cadaver." As I stated earlier, if a child is interested in reality based magic, this book is for you.
playwithdirt's review against another edition
3.0
I read it for my fourth-grader's book club. It was cute and a quick read.
luvsplantsbookscats's review against another edition
4.0
Mackenzie and I are currently reading (listening to) this while on the way to and from summer camp. Both of us are actually really enjoying it. :)
cleah's review against another edition
4.0
Abby Carnelia is a special kid. While helping her mother make lunch one day, she discovers she can make a hard-boiled egg spin simply by tugging on her ears. In support of this new talent, her parents send her to the prestigious Camp Cadabra to learn more about magic. Once there, she meets other kids just like her. But it soon becomes clear that something at the camp is not quite right. Abby and her new friends need to figure out exactly what is going on... before it's too late!
This book is totally super cute. It is full of age appropriate pop-culture references, fun and interesting little tid-bits about magic, and has a fun "summer camp" atmosphere. The kids' dialogue is true to life, the story is believable, and the writing does not condescend to the reader. David Pogue has written a whimsical story about coming into your own, and kids all over will be racing to find their unique power!
This book is totally super cute. It is full of age appropriate pop-culture references, fun and interesting little tid-bits about magic, and has a fun "summer camp" atmosphere. The kids' dialogue is true to life, the story is believable, and the writing does not condescend to the reader. David Pogue has written a whimsical story about coming into your own, and kids all over will be racing to find their unique power!
librarylisa614's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the pace of this book, especially once they were into the "special camp." Gets a little intense toward the end, but not too scary for younger readers who read above their level.
hedyharper's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Trafficking, and Confinement
raquel_reading_stuff's review against another edition
4.0
The writer is very funny and you can see that within the book. The plot is cool and so is the name, I think. I recommend it to young readers and I think that they'll enjoy it.
colleenaf's review
5.0
One of the sweetest, most thought provoking middlegrade novels I've read in a long time! The premise is that we all have some magic power however dumb and completely useless. Like saaaay spinning an egg with earlobe tugs or maybe even levitating a quarter of an inch, but ONLY if we are thinking about Bison....walking backwards...wearing...um...diapers? Most people never find their magical power...but this book is about a group of kids who do. A devouring read. Each chapter ended with a sentence that firmly hit me in the gutt or funny bone, which were then perfectly matched by an amazing opening sentence to start off the next. This really is a gem and it wasn't just the fantastic premise or creepy intriguing cover, though those helped. I'm so glad David Pogue took time to put away the toys for a bit and prove that he isn't just gadgets and gizmos but is REALLY one heck of a good writer. Oh and yes, if you noticed that extra bookshelf-category I put this in, it did make me cry, but not for any of the reasons you may be guessing.
Okay MAYBE one of the reasons you are guessing, at least if you are guessing "backwards Bison in diapers." I have a feeling I won't be the only reader laughing at that part.
Okay MAYBE one of the reasons you are guessing, at least if you are guessing "backwards Bison in diapers." I have a feeling I won't be the only reader laughing at that part.
trickingloki's review
4.0
Actual rating: 3.5
Great concept. The ending and explanation of the framing device saved it from being a straight 3, but it still felt a bit flat in many places.
Great concept. The ending and explanation of the framing device saved it from being a straight 3, but it still felt a bit flat in many places.
absentminded_reader's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining tale. A nice blend of danger and derring-do. Maybe a bit heavy during the Big Reveal as the Big Pharma executive explained his evil motives. Also, the pop cultural references in this book will become dated like a NY Times column in no time. But still a good bit of enjoyable escapism.
I think boys will like this one despite the female main character.
I think boys will like this one despite the female main character.