The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris meets Disney’s Hocus Pocus in this rollicking illustrated middle grade novel about two aspiring magicians who stumble upon real magic in their small town. Best friends Duncan Reyes and Emma Gilbert want to be as great as Harry Houdini someday. But when they discover that their neighborhood witch is more than just a local legend, their dreams of stardom quickly turn into a nightmare. After they (accidentally) steal the witch’s magic wand, the duo uses it to put on an impossible new act—which draws even more dangerous foes to town in search of their secret. How are these two friends supposed to defeat the powerful dark forces threatening their town? Well, it may just take some sleight-of-hand, a bit of magic…and (allegedly) a little destruction of public property. The Magicians of Elephant County is told through alternating chapters of Duncan’s and Emma’s hilarious witness testimony—and is paired with full-page artwork of evidence—as local police try to expose the truth about what really happened in Elephant County. Perfect for fans of Natalie Lloyd, Tom Angleberger, and Chris Grabenstein, this debut novel is sure to dazzle young readers and deliver one surprise after another like only the best magic tricks can!

When ten-year-old orphan Peter Augustus Duchene encounters a fortune teller in the marketplace one day and she tells him that his sister, who is presumed dead, is in fact alive, he embarks on a remarkable series of adventures as he desperately tries to find her.

"A genre-bending, heart-pounding middle-grade romp into a potential future. . . . Perry's layered approach makes for a masterpiece that feels both familiar yet wholly new." --Shelf Awareness, STARRED REVIEW "This takes getting lost in a book to a whole new level. I loved it!" --James Riley, New York Times-bestselling author of the Story Thieves series "Once you start this book, you truly can't stop. An adventure full of cheeky charm and delightful whimsy." --Marie Lu, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Skyhunter "A fast, fun, furiously inventive, and frequently frightful read." --Geoff Rodkey, New York Times-bestselling author of the Tapper Twins series and We're Not from Here This clever, fast-paced adventure is a mix of the Story Thieves series and Ready Player One! Oliver Nelson has a terrible secret-he's a thief. But he only steals books from the Garden Grove Library that are old, musty, brittle, or incomplete, like his favorite book, The Timekeeper's Children. No one reads anymore, and surely no one will miss them, right? Wrong. The Pribbles are famous inventors of the most popular toy in the world, alternate-reality goggles. They are also book collectors who are searching for The Timekeeper's Children, so the Pribbles hatch a plan. They invite Oliver, the last person to have checked it out, to their mansion and use special software from their goggles to steal the last remaining copy of the book--from inside Oliver's mind. Now, Oliver is thrust into the middle of the story and must help the main characters steal pieces scattered around the fictional world of Dulum to build a magical clock that can turn back time before the evil sorcerer Sigil takes over. They'll encounter hideous giants, bloodsucking bats, vicious eels, a Nasty Rodent Eater, a gang of wicked children, and a strange, dark figure that follows them from chapter to chapter, all the while with the Pribbles in pursuit. Can Oliver save Dulum before Sigil destroys everything? And will he finish The Timekeeper's Children before the Pribbles steal it from his mind?

A magical adventure for fans of Katherine Applegate and Jennifer Holm about a girl with a mysterious connection to the elephant who saved her life. An elephant never forgets, but Lexington Willow can't remember her past. Swept away by a tornado as a toddler, she was dropped in a nearby Nebraska zoo, where an elephant named Nyah protected her from the storm. With no trace of her family, Lex grew up at the zoo with her foster father, Roger; her best friend, Fisher; and the wind whispering in her ear. Years later, Nyah sends Lex a telepathic image of the woods outside the zoo. Soon, Lex is wrapped up in an adventure involving ghosts, lost treasure, and a puzzle that might be the key to finding her family. Can Lex summon the courage to discover who she really is--and why the tornado brought her here all those years ago?

Two queens, two religions, two visions for the future of the nation. Fleeing to London with a witch hunter on her trail, Alyce discovers her own dark magic and lands herself embroiled in the struggle. Alyce's mother has just been burnt at the stake for practicing witchcraft. With only a thin set of instructions and a witch's mommet for guidance, Alyce must face the world that she's been sealed off from -- a world of fear and superstition. With a witch hunter fast on her trail, she'll need the help of an innkeeper and a boy looking to discover the truth behind his own mother's past. But as her journey continues, another war rages: a hidden war of the supernatural, of the living and the dead. Good and evil are blurred, and nobody's motives can be trusted. And Alyce finds herself thrown unwillingly into the conflict. Struggling to understand her own powers, she is quickly drawn into a web of secret, lies, and dark magic that could change the fate of the world she is just coming to know.This dark, twisty, and thrillingly original debut will leave readers entranced in its suspenseful plot and rich prose.

After his life has been turned upside down by tragedy, a boy must enlist the help of his new best friends and a stray desert dog to find their small Utah town’s missing muse and restore magic to his family in this lyrical and hopeful story. Harrison Boone used to sing. His mom was a famous soprano who performed in all the great theaters. But when she died unexpectedly last year, the music stopped for Harrison too. He finds comfort in practicing magic tricks to become a master magician. If only Harrison knew the right magic to stop his dad from hitting the road for a new job and sending him to live with his aunt Maggie in an art village named Muse in the southern Utah desert. The residents of Muse believe in a magical entity that used to grant wishes to the winner of the town's annual art contest, but the muse hasn't been seen in years. Can Harrison connect with his inner artist, find the missing muse, and win the wish that will give him back a normal life?

A famous magician's journey to find the greatest cardsharp ever evokes the forgotten world of magic where Americans found escape during the Great Depression It has the nostalgic quality of an old-fashioned fable, but Karl Johnson's The Magician and the Cardsharp is a true story that lovingly re-creates the sparkle of a vanished world. Here, set against the backdrop of America struggling through the Depression, is the world of magic, a realm of stars, sleight of hand, and sin where dreams could be realized - or stolen away. Following the Crash of '29, Dai Vernon, known by magicians as "the man who fooled Houdini," is tramping down Midwestern backroads, barely making ends meet. While swapping secrets with a Mexican gambler, he hears of a guy he doesn't quite believe is real - a legendary mystery man who deals perfectly from the center of the deck and who locals call the greatest cardsharp of all time. Determined to find the reclusive genius, Vernon sets out on a journey through America's shady, slick, and sinful side - from mob-run Kansas City through railroad towns that looked sleepy only in the daytime. Does he find the sharp? Well, Karl Johnson did - after years of research into Vernon's colorful quest, research that led him to places he never knew existed. Johnson takes us to the cardsharp's doorstep and shows us how he bestowed on Vernon the greatest secret in magic. The Magician and the Cardsharp is a unique and endlessly entertaining piece of history that reveals the artistry and obsession of a special breed of American showmen.

==> Gold Recipient, Mom's Choice Awards Honoring Excellence ==> Silver Medal in Children's Adventure, 2020 International Readers' Favorite Awards ==> Award-winning Finalist, Next Generation Book Awards ==> 1st Place in both Children's Adventure AND Grades 4th-6th, 2020 TopShelf Awards ==> Grand Prize Winner, Colorado Author Project ==> 1st Place, Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Fiction Award Exploring a mysterious cave in the mountains behind their house, John and his sister Sarah are shocked to discover they've time traveled to ancient Egypt! Now they must work together to find a way back home from an ancient civilization of golden desert sand and a towering new pyramid, without parents to save them. The adventures abound—cobras, scorpions, a tomb robber, and more! The two kids have to trust each other, make friends who can help, and survive the challenges thrown at them . . . or be stuck in ancient Egypt forever. For readers graduating from the Magic Tree House series and ready for intense action, dive into this middle grade novel rich with meticulous historical detail. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: "An engaging, eventful, history-based fantasy with realistic protagonists and an enjoyable, twist-filled plot." -Kirkus Reviews ***** "Fun, action-packed read, with a healthy dose of historical facts. Kids will be hooked on this one!" -Adam Perry, author of The Magicians of Elephant County ***** "I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It had lots of action...the characters were well-developed and approachable...readers will want to follow this story to the end!" -Page McBrier, New York Times bestselling author ***** "I LOVE this! A fun adventure story . . . exciting . . . hilarious . . . The plot pacing was great, especially for a middle grades novel. I work with 3rd-5th graders, and I think this book would do an excellent job of holding their attention. Such a great ending!" —Megan S. ***** "Skillfully written, clever, suspenseful, flowed effortlessly, had a hard time putting it down." —Jim C. ***** "This is exactly the type of adventure story that kids go for, the setting is fantastic. It is obvious that you are experienced in writing adventure tales. And you manage to hit the beats, the plot all keeps rolling along at a good clip and you don't get tied down or let anything slow the forward momentum." —Fay C. ***** "Well done . . . great atmosphere packed into this book . . . Fits right in with what good middle grade is all about. The pacing was fast, which is a great way of captivating the reader and I liked the ending a lot." —Bethany V. ***** "Interesting and exciting. You really captured the essence of a middle grade story. It had over the top action and suspense that really capture the imagination of someone this age. You did a great job taking our main characters, especially John, and changing him for the better over the course of the story. I thought this was an incredibly fun story and one I would've absolutely devoured as a kid." —Juliette T. ***** "Excellent. You've hooked me. Excellent build-up of tension and suspense. The plot is captivating. I love how everything feels high stakes from start to finish (as in, I felt something matters and I felt endeared to your characters)." —Stu M. ***** "The Eye of Ra is an easy and enjoyable read. I enjoyed learning about Ancient Egypt in a way that never felt forced or didactic. I also enjoyed all the close encounters with the scary inhabitants. You have some great moments of conflict and drama in your story. I enjoyed your use of evocative description." —Amanda S. ***** "This book would be a top choice for the students in my class. They'd eat up the adventure! Your tense scenes are so well-written. I didn't see the twist in the plot coming. What a great surprise!" —Elaina B. *****

⭐️ Gold Recipient, Mom's Choice Awards Honoring Excellence ⭐️ First Place, Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Awards ⭐️ Bronze Medal, 2022 International Readers’ Favorite Awards The explosive reveal about who John and Sarah really are and why they’re traveling through time, with their most gut-wrenching challenge yet. In the time of the Aztec, a scoundrel named Cortés arrives and the kids are forced to make an extremely difficult decision: If you could change history, should you? For more twists, more danger, and more fun, read the third book in The Eye of Ra series, People of the Sun! “An SF–infused tale that proves both entertaining and educational.” –Kirkus Reviews ***** “Middle-grade readers with a love of high-stakes fantasy will be pleased with this time-crossed historical adventure.” –BookLife Reviews by Publishers Weekly ***** “The epic reveal we've been waiting for with the biggest stakes yet! You'll be breathlessly turning pages until the very end...” –Sam Subity, author of The Last Shadow Warrior ***** “Thought-provoking, compelling, and exquisitely designed, this is a satisfying conclusion to the Eye of Ra series and is a highly recommended addition to libraries for advanced middle grade readers.” –Mary Lanni, book blogger, librarian, and reviewer for School Library Journal. ***** “People of the Sun is an excellent book. This book is a great read for the young and old alike. I highly recommend this series.” –Litercurious book blog ***** “Ben Gartner has done it again! People of the Sun is full of history, adventure, suspense and time travel! Kids will be lining up to read this!” –Stacy Alfano, 5th grade teacher ***** “People of the Sun is an amazing read that keeps you on the edge of your seat! I loved the first two books in the series, and this was my favorite.” –Emmie Enchanted, kid blogger ***** “This is an excellently written, satisfying conclusion to the Eye of Ra series.” –Reedsy Discovery *****

⭐️ Gold Recipient, Mom's Choice Awards Honoring Excellence ⭐️ Gold Medal in Children's 4th-6th, 2021 International Readers’ Favorite Awards ⭐️ 1st Place, Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Fiction Awards Siblings John and Sarah barely made it home last time, but in their next time traveling adventure the challenge really heats up. Surrounded by clashing cultures on the ancient Roman frontier, they must fulfill their quest to unite the emperor with his enemy, an Alemanni barbarian, or risk being stuck in time forever. An action-packed fantasy full of sword fights, chariot chases, fearsome wild animals, and high mountain survival. For graduates of the Magic Tree House looking for a thrilling middle grade page-turner, read Sol Invictus, book two of The Eye of Ra series! ***** "Once again, Gartner deftly weaves real-life history into a compelling adventure, offering high-stakes, realistic danger and vivid scene-setting." -Kirkus Reviews ***** "Gartner has a knack for action and creating compelling historical personalities . . . Middle [grade] readers who treasure ancient history with a side of adventure will welcome this fantasy story." -BookLife Reviews by Publishers Weekly ***** "Must read. Middle grade readers with a love of adventure and history are sure to connect with John and Sarah in this dynamic story...Diligently researched, Sol Invictus recounts historical events in a way that is captivating and engaging while simultaneously educating readers of all ages." -Reedsy Discovery ***** "Fans of Ben Gartner's first book will gobble this up!" -Caroline Lawrence, author of 17-book series The Roman Mysteries ***** "I was so excited to read this second book in the Eye of Ra series and was not disappointed! It's a thrilling ride from start to finish as the brother and sister MCs travel back in time again, this time to ancient Rome where they have to accomplish a seemingly impossible task or be stuck in time. With tons of action, humor, excellent character development, and historical details that will make you feel like you've been swept back in time too, this is sure to be a winner for middle grade readers." -Sam Subity, author of The Last Shadow Warrior ***** "Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner is a fantastic follow-up that delivers! Keeping true to the spirit of the first book and its lovable heroes, this sequel to Eye of Ra ramps up the action, character growth, and overall stakes. Sol Invictus delivers a fun, page-turning adventure with sword fights, wolf pups, narrow escapes, and even ancient cheesecake! A fun time-traveling sibling adventure story with heart and heart-pounding action. I can't wait to read what comes next for John and Sarah!" -Kerelyn Smith, author of Mulrox and the Malcognitos ***** "Ben Gartner does it again in this second book! Readers will be turning pages quickly to find out where John and Sarah's adventure takes them in ancient Rome. The story was full of action, mystery and great historical information! My middle grade readers are going to be waiting for a turn to read this!" -Stacy A., 5th grade teacher ***** "Gartner’s narrative voice complements the book’s brisk pacing and heightens its unending action…The book echoes the same adventure-driven narrative of Percy Jackson and the Olympians but with its own Roman twist. However, Gartner skillfully embellishes a narrow glimpse of history that is typically studied for its grander narrative." -BookLife Prize, 2021 *****