No More Magic

Rating:
Summary: More of Avi's magic
Review: Avi has come a long way, baby. Today he has produced countless picture books, middle reader books, and young adult books for masses of children everywhere. He's won Newbery Honors, a Newbery Award, and copious amounts of praise and veneration. And to think it all started with a little early reader book called "No More Magic". Originally written in 1975, the book has all the spunk and catchy writing you'd expect in an Avi creation. It won a Special Award from the Mystery Writers of America when it was first published and remains a beloved book by many to this day. If you've a kid who loves mystery books but has tired of Cam Jansen, Encyclopedia Brown, or Chet Gecko and wants to try something a little different, "No More Magic" may be right up their alley.

It all begins with a bike. Chris's bike. Which is to say, the disappearance of Chris's bike. A special kind of creation, Chris bought the green colored contraption from a nearby junk yard once and has loved it ever since. Unfortunately, it appears that he left it out on Halloween night and it has somehow disappeared. His father, a librarian, advises Chris to, "get the questions right before you get the answers wrong". So begins Chris's attempts to solve a particularly engrossing mystery. Before he knows it he's tracking down a warlock, befriending a girl in a Druid coat, accusing his best friend of involvement, and seeing his bike fly high past the moon. Though his parents are telling him there's no such thing as magic, Chris is setting out to prove them wrong. And to get his bike back too.

Though originally written in 1975, the book has held up exceedingly well. This might be partly because so much of what it has to say has remained so timeless. With the resurgence of interest in super heroes, even the sections talking about Batman and the Green Lantern still work (or they do if your child watches the Cartoon Network's new "Justice League" show). The only datable elements that remain are prices. A new bike, we are informed, usually costs $20. And no one, I guess, wears a helmet while riding one. Yet beyond that, the book is as fresh as a daisy. The characters are realistic and interesting. The mystery fresh and fascinating. Avi has set himself up with the monumentally difficult task of making the book realistic to both kids that do believe in magic and kids who don't. If your child wants to believe that something supernatural is behind the mysteries presented in "No More Magic", it's not a problem. If, on the other hand, they don't, it's also not a problem. This book may well be the perfect answer to those parents that disapprove of magic in children's books, yet have children who yearn to read about other realities. It could satisfy them both.

The book's an early reader, best for those kids that have started chapter books and want something on the level with "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing". I think they'll like it. It's a fabulous autumnal book as well, so definitely consider recommending it around Halloween time. Though it was the first thing he wrote, Avi knew what he was doing with "No More Magic" right from the start. An inauspicious debut by a now well known and well respected writer. Great reading for all.


Rating:
Summary: Dull at times, but keeps you thinking...
Review: Book Review for Avi's, No More Magic

No More Magic, by Avi, it is about a boy, age 11, named Chris and his friends Eddie and Muffin. In the book Chris's bike gets stolen from him and Muffin's costume gets stolen from her. They think the bike was stolen from Chris's house. Chris and his friends believe the bike was stolen by the junkyard owner, Mr. Bullen (who they think is a warlock) because it had magic. They are convinced of this because an old man named Mr. Podler, who likes to drink, told them that he saw a warlock riding the bike on Halloween.

My favorite scene in the book was when they got the bike out of the water. I liked the scene because it was funny to see little kids pull a bike out of the water. I think that was an important scene in the book because Chris and his friends got the bike back. This was the first step in helping them solve the mystery.

I would recommend this book to students in the 6th grade. I think this book is exciting, interesting and keeps you thinking. However, it was also boring at times. I give this book 2 stars.

Submitted by David Apfelbaum

Rating:
Summary: No More Magic
Review: I am a student at Waldron Mercy Academy (DAB). I read the book No more Magic. My opinion of No More Magic is that it was really bad. I didn't like it because it's just about a boy and at Halloween he leaves his bike outside. A "warlock" comes and steals it. He and his friend Eddie meet a new girl and become friends. They go out to look for his bike. Along that time he tells the police to look for his bright green bike,and that it was stolen by a "warlock." The police thought he was joking so they apparently didn't belive him. I thought this book was horrible because it was stupid and unexciting. It didn't have any meaning to it either.

Rating:
Summary: the best book you could ever read!
Review: NO MORE MAGIC IS A GREAT BOOK WRITTEN BY AVI. IN MY OPINION, NO MORE MAGIC IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ. THIS BOOK IS ABOUT A BOY NAMED CHRIS AND HIM GETTING HIS MAGIC BIKE BACK. AVI WRIGHTS FICTIONAL NOVALS. ANYBODY WOULD ENJOY THIS BOOK. THIS BOOK IS WORTH 5 STARS.