Review “Kids will be drawn to the likable, believable protagonists and the promise of more enticing magic and action to follow.” ―Publishers Weekly“Magical attacks, lively characters from both sides of the hedge and slapstick set pieces…The bright humor will attract and keep young pre-Potterites.” ―Kirkus Reviews Read more About the Author MARCIA THORNTON JONES enjoys reading more than anything else. As a teacher, her favorite part of the school day was sharing books with her students. It was that love of reading that drew her to writing. She wanted to write the same kinds of stories that she and her students enjoyed reading. One afternoon she mentioned to the school librarian that she'd always had an interest in writing. The librarian, Debbie Dadey, shared a common desire to write stories that would encourage reading skills while promoting a true joy of reading. The next afternoon, Marcia and Debbie met while their students were at lunch and began writing. That story, Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots, became the first book in their bestselling series, The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids. Marcia lives in Lexington, Kentucky with her husband, Stephen, and their two cats. DEBBIE DADEY taught first grade before becoming a librarian. It was while teaching that she first realized how much she wanted to write a book for reluctant readers. Her first book, co-authored with fellow teacher Marcia Thornton Jones, was the result of a very bad day. Since then, Debbie and Marcia have collaborated on more than 125 books with sales of over forty million copies. Debbie lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her husband, three dogs, and three children. Read more Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Keyholders #1: This Side of MagicThe two tiny windows next to Mr. Leery’s front door glowed with light when Penny and Luke banged on the door.“We know your cat can talk,” Luke blurted as soon as Mr. Leery opened the door. “Are you some kind of magician?”Mr. Leery raised his eyebrows at the cat. “You agreed to keep your mouth shut until I returned.”“I guess I let the cat is out of the bag,” Mo admitted.For a moment, the cat’s face seemed to dissolve into a look of shame, but then Mo’s whiskers twitched and his tail swished back and forth in an angry frenzy. He peered between Luke’s knees out into the shadows of the yard.“Quick. Close the door. NOW!” Mo yowled. Read more
E**S
Great book, great series
I've been struggling with a great series of books for my seven year old, this one solves the issue for now, until we get through all four of the series. Not sure what to do after that :) Great writing, good tales with plenty of suspense, thought provoking intrigue, great character development and dialogue, great for me to read to him but also for him to read and understand back to me. And some very funny stuff, we've had a lot of laughs at bedtime. Thank you Debbie Dadey, I look forward to reading through this entire series with both kids and looking at some of her other stuff. Highly recommended.
A**1
A review from my child....
This side of Magic is a wonderful book for children. I guarantee you that if you buy this book for your kids, it will be a fun reading assignment. This is a very lively book and if you have kids who like 'lively' then this is the book for you. There are more books that follow this one to enjoy.
H**T
The kid liked this story
My listener liked this story and the characters ......enough that we bought the following three books in the series. Book one lays the groundwork well.
T**T
I have read this book with some of my reading groups and there isn't a child that hasn't loved this book
I am a paraprofessional at an elementary school. I have read this book with some of my reading groups and there isn't a child that hasn't loved this book. They always ask if they can keep reading when our time is up. I love that this book has gotten non-readers interested in reading!!
W**S
loved it
Great read for kids of all ages--well-written and pure fun!I recommend this for kids in Grades 2-5.Great for a kids' book club read.
A**Y
Grate doom ever
Hi this is my butt in a game is how good this book is make the words less on the review
A**R
fun urban fantasy
The hedge abetted by magic protects the residents of Morgantown from supernatural creatures like the evil Boggarts whose queen plans to invade the town and then the world. Meanwhile best friends Penny and Luke visit their neighbor Mr. Leery, who asks them to watch his cat Mr. Mo as he attends a funeral of an associate; they agree.The kids meet a strange fifth grader who wants to see Mr. Leery. When Mr. Mo goes berserk the weird kid flees. Mr. Leery returns and explains to the two kids that they are apprentice keyholders, a job that Penny accepts while Luke wants to decline. Mr. Leery explains he is the last of three keyholders who insure the hedge magic remains strong to keep the Boggarts out; they and someone else will replace him and his two late associates after two centuries on the job. As Penny connects with Kirin the sarcastic unicorn and Luke with Dracula the baby dragon, they learn the third keyholder is the snob Natalie who connects aptly so with Buttercup the rat, and the weird kid is a Boggart spy. Though not ready the three fifth grade keyholders must prevent the Boggart hordes from invading Morgantown.The first Keyholders' urban fantasy is a fun often amusing thriller. The tale starts off a bit slow as the players are introduced, but the pace picks up once Mr. Leery leaves town. Penny and Luke are likable kids while affluent snob Natalie is not. The apprentice trio has some humorous moments as they battle the Boggart spy and attempt to prevent the invasion to the delight of elementary school age readers.Harriet Klausner
M**S
2nd Grader Review
The book I am reviewing is This Side of Magic. This book is fiction. There was two kids named Luke and Penny and they find out they are key holders to protect the world. What will happen next?? You will have to read the book to find out! My favorite part was when Luke and Penny found out they are key holders. I think people who like magic will like this book. I loved this book because it was exciting and I like magic too. There are also books like: The Wrong Side of Magic, Inside the Magic, and The Other Side of Magic. I will do reviews on those books but now I am doing this review. I give this book 5/5 stars.
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1 week ago
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