The Incredible Twisting Arm by Kate Egan with Magician Mike Lane, illustrated
by Eric Wight. CHAPTER BOOK. Feiwel and Friends, 2014. $14.99. 9781250029157.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
The Incredible Twisting Arm is about a 4th grader
named Mike. He struggles to do well and have interest in school, and his
parents are worried about him. He gains a great interest in magic and wants to
do anything he can to convince his parents that he is responsible enough to
bike to the magic shop by himself. His parents’ biggest worry is that will
become distracted by magic to the point that he won’t be able to succeed in
school. In order to convince them otherwise, he enters in to an extra credit
science project, and decides to perform magic. His teacher was very impressed,
but his parents felt that this only proved that magic was distracting for him.
His teacher urged his parents to allow him to pursue magic, as his magic is
actually helping his school work, not hindering it. He was then allowed to ride
his bike to and from the magic shop.
The Incredible Twisting Arm was very well written for a 4th
grade level. It is engaging and touches on frustrations and challenges that a
typical 4th grader might have. I liked the way that it also
discussed the boy’s relationship with his parents and that even though they
didn’t seem to completely understand him and his interests, they have his
overall growth and safety in mind. He is respectful and patient with his
parents as they all try to work out a resolution together. The book also has
pages inside that explain how to do the tricks that Mike performs. If a child
has an interest in magic tricks, The Incredible Twisting Arm is an
excellent introduction.
Reviewer: AR/SL
No comments:
Post a Comment