The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer (John Bellairs Mysteries)
Grade 4–7—Strickland continues to add to Lewis Barnavelt's adventures, originally created by John Bellairs. School's out and it's the beginning of summer in 1950s New Zebedee, MI. Uncle Jonathan has given a party, complete with a spectacular magic show, for Lewis and his friends. Then Lewis sees a ghostly figure dressed in red robes disappearing behind the garage, and sinister things begin to happen. The boy becomes fascinated with the "rule of threes," and soon he is knocked out by a foul ball, sprains his ankle, and loses his allowance. But the real troubles, which threaten his uncle's magic and life, arrive when Jonathan's cane and magic disappear. The usual cast of characters is joined by a new, slightly nervous character, Hal Everit. For readers who enjoy trying to solve the mystery as they read, there are abundant clues including an anagram. A quick, exciting read.—Kathryn Kosiorek, formerly at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OHCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.