The Magic Trap (The Lemonade War Series)
Since their parents’ divorce many years earlier, Evan and Jessie have been disappointed that their dad, who travels the world as a journalist, seldom calls or visits. Now he is back in their lives, for a week at least, looking after them while their mother is away. All goes well at first, while Evan teaches himself magic tricks and trains Jessie as his assistant for an upcoming show. But their father’s unexpectedly early departure leaves them home alone, and soon they are figuring out how to survive a hurricane on their own. One of the pleasures of reading the Lemonade War series, which began with The Lemonade War (2007), is watching the gradual development of the two main characters and the subtle shifts in their relationship, never more apparent than in this story. As the third-person narrative switches from one child’s point of view to the other, the contrast between the two is marked and consistently believable. Readers intrigued by the magic theme will also appreciate the appended instructions for a card trick. The series’ many fans won’t want to miss this one. Grades 3-6. --Carolyn Phelan