The Incredible Twisting Arm

Reviewed by: Terri Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Library, Kennebunkport, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 2, 2014

Review

Mike is a fourth grader who is working hard to make good choices and convince his parents that he is responsible enough to ride his bike downtown alone. The driving force for this trip, is the White Rabbit, a magic shop downtown. Magic is the most important thing to Mike and is something that he is working hard to be good at. School, friendships, and model behavior are all hard work for Mike. But with magic, he can show everyone that he is really good at something. This story works on many levels... many kids will be able to relate to Mike and his struggles with academics and self control in school. His parents, although well meaning, are very busy with their schedules and do not always understand how much magic means to Mike. All of the magic tricks that Mike performs are fully explained (with illustrations) at the end of the chapter. A key message in the story... Try again, only different. Would make a nice complement to a biography on Harry Houdini who happens to share the same name as the main character -- Mike Weiss. (You can find out how Mike found the magic shop in The Vanishing Coin.

Overall Book Score: excellent