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The Lunch-Box Chronicles: Notes From the Parenting Underground
by Marion WinikChildMagazine Best Book of the Year "For me, parenting is like dieting. Every day, I wake up filled with resolve and good intentions, perfection in view, and every day I somehow stray from the path. The difference is with dieting, I usually make it to lunch. . . . " With the candor and often hilarious outlook that have made her a beloved commentator on NPR, Marion Winik takes the reader on an unforgettable journey through modern parenthood, with all of its attendant anxieties and joys. A single mother with two small boys, Winik knows exactly what she's talking about, from battles over breakfast and bedtime to the virtues of pre-packaged food and weightier issues like sex education and sibling rivalry. Part memoir and part survival guide,The Lunch-Box Chroniclesis an engaging philosophy of parenting from a staunch realist, who knows that kids and their parents both will inevitably fall far short of perfection, and that a "good enough mom" really is, in fact, good enough. "Marion Winik proves as able a bard for her generation as Erma Bombeck was for hers. . . . Funny, warmhearted, and chock-full of moments of instant recognition. " --Newsday "[H]ilarious and wrenching, it's about being a parent, but it's also about so much more: love, survival, transcendence--and macaroni and cheese. " --Anne Lamott, author ofOperating Instructions "Take Erma Bombeck, add the obsessions of a single mother with two boys . . . and you have Marion Winik, as companionable a writer as a crazed parent ever found. " --The New York Times Book Review
The Luster of Lost Things
by Sophie Chen KellerIn this story for readers of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and A Man Called Ove, when all seems lost, he finds what matters most.Walter Lavender Jr. is a master of finding. A wearer of high-tops. A maker of croissants. A son keeping vigil, twelve years counting. But he wouldn’t be able to tell you. Silenced by his motor speech disorder, Walter’s life gets lonely. Fortunately, he has The Lavenders—his mother’s enchanted dessert shop, where marzipan dragons breathe actual fire. He also has a knack for tracking down any missing thing—except for his lost father. So when the Book at the root of the bakery’s magic vanishes, Walter, accompanied by his overweight golden retriever, journeys through New York City to find it—along the way encountering an unforgettable cast of lost souls. Steeped in nostalgic wonder, The Luster of Lost Things explores the depths of our capacity for kindness and our ability to heal. A lyrical meditation on why we become lost and how we are found, from the bright, broken heart of a boy who knows where to look for everyone but himself.
The Lying Club: A Novel
by Annie Ward"If you loved Big Little Lies and Little Fires Everywhere, allow me to introduce you to your next obsession. —Kim Liggett, New York Times bestselling author of The Grace YearA tangled web of lies draws together three women in this explosive thriller of revenge, murder and shocking secretsAt an elite private school nestled in the Colorado mountains, Natalie, an office assistant, dreams of having a life like the school moms she deals with every day. Women like Brooke—a gorgeous heiress, ferociously loving mother and serial cheater—and Asha, an overprotective mom who suspects her husband of having an affair. Their fates are bound by the handsome assistant athletic director Nicholas, whom Natalie loves, Brooke wants and Asha needs.But when two bodies are carried out of the school one morning, it seems the tension between mothers and daughters, rival lovers, and the haves and have-nots has shattered the surface of this isolated, affluent town—where people stop at nothing to get what they want.Don't miss Annie Ward's other twisty and utterly original thriller, Beautiful Bad!
The Lying Life of Adults: A Novel
by Elena FerranteThe New York Times–bestseller set in a divided Naples—now a Netflix original series—from the acclaimed author of My Brilliant Friend and The Lost Daughter.A BEST BOOK OF 2020The Washington Post·O, The Oprah Magazine·TIME Magazine·NPR·People Magazine·The New York Times Critics·The Guardian·Electric Literature·Financial Times·Times UK·Irish Times·New York Post·Kirkus Reviews·Toronto Star·The Globe and Mail·Harper’s Bazaar·Vogue UK·The Arts DeskGiovanna’s pretty face is changing, turning ugly, at least so her father thinks. Giovanna, he says, looks more like her Aunt Vittoria every day. But can it be true? Is she really changing? Is she turning into her Aunt Vittoria, a woman she hardly knows but whom her mother and father clearly despise? Surely there is a mirror somewhere in which she can see herself as she truly is.Giovanna is searching for her reflection in two kindred cities that fear and detest one another: Naples of the heights, which assumes a mask of refinement, and Naples of the depths, a place of excess and vulgarity. She moves from one to the other in search of the truth, but neither city seems to offer answers or escape.“Another spellbinding coming-of-age tale from a master.” —People Magazine, Top 10 Books of 2020“The literary event of the year.” —Elle“Ms. Ferrante once again, with undiminished skill and audacity, creates an emotional force field that has at its heart a young girl on the brink of womanhood.” —The Wall Street Journal
The Lying Room: the thrilling psychological suspense
by Nicci French* THE NEW ADDICTIVE THRILLER FROM THE MASTER OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE * &‘Expertly paced, psychologically sharp, thoroughly enjoyable' Louise Candlish &‘Meticulously plotted, psychologically astute&’ Sarah Vaughan 'Confirms Nicci French as the giant of the genre' Erin Kelly &‘A pure adrenaline rush&’ Jenny Colgan Neve Connolly looks down at a murdered man. She doesn't call the police. &‘You know, it&’s funny,&’ Detective Inspector Hitching said. &‘Whoever I see, they keep saying, talk to Neve Connolly, she&’ll know. She&’s the one people talk to, she&’s the one people confide in.&’ A trusted colleague and friend. A mother. A wife. Neve Connolly is all these things. She has also made mistakes. One that is now spiralling out of control. Bringing those around her into immense danger. A liar. A cheat. A threat. Neve Connolly is all these things. Could she be a murderer?
The Lying Woods
by Ashley ElstonA riveting, atmospheric, multi-generational, high-stakes mystery by Ashley Elston, New York Times bestselling author of First Lie Wins! Owen Foster has never wanted for anything. Then his mother shows up at his elite New Orleans boarding school cradling a bombshell: his privileged life has been funded by stolen money. After using the family business, the single largest employer in his small Louisiana town, to embezzle millions and drain the employees' retirement accounts, Owen's father vanished without a trace, leaving Owen and his mother to deal with the fallout. Owen returns to Lake Cane to finish his senior year, where people he hardly remembers despise him for his father's crimes. It's bad enough dealing with muttered insults and glares, but when Owen and his mother receive increasingly frightening threats from someone out for revenge, he knows he must get to the bottom of what really happened at Louisiana Frac...and the cryptic note his father sent him at his boarding school days before disappearing. Owen's only refuge is the sprawling, isolated pecan orchard he works at after school, owned by a man named Gus who has his own secrets--and in some ways seems to know Owen better than he knows himself. As Owen uncovers a terrible injustice that looms over the same Preacher Woods he's claimed as his own, he must face a shocking truth about his past--and write a better future.
The Lynching Tree
by Michael SteinA white man has been lynched two months before 23-year-old Donald Gambell returns to his New Jersey hometown. As the first black member of the police force, Gambell learns the routines of his new work--the traffic stops and domestic quarrels, the bullying and bragging--from his partner Frank Butras, who refuses to discuss the murder that has left the town shaken. For Gambell, life near his father and sister is familiar in both its comforts and confusions, but his home has changed in ways he finds difficult to understand.
The Lyons
by Nicky Silver"Comedy nirvana . . . satisfyingly mean and funny."-New York Post"Without sacrificing his mordant wit or bleak worldview, this distinctive dramatist shows a new maturity and empathy in."?The New York Times"Nicky Silver's terrific play is filled with moments when you can't stop laughing even though the circumstances indicate you really shouldn't. . . . A wonderful little riff on family dysfunction."?Associated Press"Silver finds plenty of fresh bite, and the sheer savagery of his observation here is breathtaking. Watching it brings the dueling sensations of wicked mirth and squirming discomfort at being trapped in the hell of someone else's family horrors. That these are exaggerations of our own is what gives the play its teeth."-The Hollywood ReporterThis vicious, hilarious black comedy opened on Broadway in April 2012 to rave reviews.Nicky Silver, that "strange progeny of a coupling between Mr. Neil Simon and Edward Albee" (The New York Times), has cornered the market on deliciously savage dysfunctional family comedies. Following an acclaimed run Off-Broadway, this intimate and frightening examination of how we cope with loneliness and disappointment currently delights audiences on Broadway.Rita Lyons is the matriarch of a family facing a major crossroads. Her husband, Ben, is dying and her grown children are struggling. As the family gathers in Ben's hospital room, they discover that they're as terrified of being together as they are of being alone.
The M & F Solution
by The Editors at the Cengage LearningA student textbook about marriage and family.
The M&F Solution (Third Edition)
by David KnoxTextbook for a course in marriage, family, and other intimate relationships.
The MacKade Brothers Collection: The Return of Rafe MacKade\The Pride of Jared MacKade\The Heart of Devin MacKade\The Fall of Shane MacKade (MacKade Brothers #1)
by Nora Roberts#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts presents a collection of all four books from the classic MacKade brother’s series. THE RETURN OF RAFE MACKADEBad boy Rafe MacKade has finally come home. Cleaned up and successful now—though still dangerously good-looking—Rafe’s return sets tongues wagging. With the help of Regan Jones, who owns the local antique shop, he is restoring the old Barlow house into an inn. Though Regan claims to not want to get involved with a rebel, Rafe’s pretty sure that her reaction to their sizzling kisses suggests otherwise.THE PRIDE OF JARED MACKADEJared MacKade can’t resist a challenge. So when his work as an attorney brings him up against Savannah Morningstar, her defenses aren’t nearly enough to scare him off. While Savanah is understandably reluctant to let another man into her and her son’s life, Jared can’t help but fall for the sinfully sexy woman. And the more he gets to know her, the more determined he is to stand by her always.THE HEART OF DEVIN MACKADESheriff Devin MacKade’s destiny is to serve and protect—and a future he always thought would include Cassie Connor. She’s the only woman he has ever loved, but he’d never worked up the nerve to tell her. When Cassie married the wrong man, Devin did the honorable thing and kept his feelings to himself. Now that Cassie’s divorced, Devin can finally follow his heart. Question is, can Cassie?THE FALL OF DEVIN MACKADEShane MacKade is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. He’s shocked when he is rebuffed by the brilliant Dr. Rebecca Knight. The alluring academic is conducting a research experiment at his family’s ancestral farm, and her work has left her too busy to make any time for romance. But Rebecca can’t help but succumb to the MacKade charm…Previously Published.
The Mad Wolf's Daughter
by Diane MagrasA Scottish medieval adventure about the youngest in a war-band who must free her family from a castle prison after knights attack her home--with all the excitement of Ranger's Apprentice and perfect for fans of heroines like Alanna from The Song of the Lioness series.One dark night, Drest's sheltered life on a remote Scottish headland is shattered when invading knights capture her family, but leave Drest behind. Her father, the Mad Wolf of the North, and her beloved brothers are a fearsome war-band, but now Drest is the only one who can save them. So she starts off on a wild rescue attempt, taking a wounded invader along as a hostage.Hunted by a bandit with a dark link to her family's past, aided by a witch whom she rescues from the stake, Drest travels through unwelcoming villages, desolate forests, and haunted towns. Every time she faces a challenge, her five brothers speak to her in her mind about courage and her role in the war-band. But on her journey, Drest learns that the war-band is legendary for terrorizing the land. If she frees them, they'll not hesitate to hurt the gentle knight who's become her friend.Drest thought that all she wanted was her family back; now she has to wonder what their freedom would really mean. Is she her father's daughter or is it time to become her own legend?
The Madonna of the Mountains: A Novel
by Elise Valmorbida“A riveting adventure for the soul . . . just the kind of evocative historical fiction I love.”—Sara Gruen, author of At the Water’s Edge and Water for ElephantsAn epic, inspiring novel about one woman’s survival in the hardscrabble Italian countryside and her determination to protect her family throughout the Second World War—by any means possible Maria Vittoria is twenty-five when her father brings home the man who will become her husband. It is 1923 in the austere Italian mountain village where her family has lived for generations, and the man she sees is tall and handsome and has survived the First World War without any noticeable scars. Taking just the linens she has sewn that make up her dowry and a statue of the Madonna that sits by her bedside, Maria leaves the only life she has ever known to begin a family. But her future will not be what she imagines. The Madonna of the Mountains follows Maria over the next three decades, as she moves to the town where she and her husband become shopkeepers, through the birth of their five children, through the hardships and cruelties of the National Fascist Party Rule and the Second World War. Struggling with the cost of survival at a time when food is scarce and allegiances are questioned, Maria trusts no one and fears everyone—her Fascist cousin, the madwoman from her childhood, her watchful neighbors, the Nazis and the Partisans who show up hungry at her door. As Maria’s children grow up and her marriage endures its own hardships, she must hold her family together with resilience, love, and faith, until she makes a fateful decision that will change the course of all their lives. A sweeping saga about womanhood, loyalty, war, religion, family, food, motherhood, and marriage, The Madonna of the Mountains is a poignant look at the span of one woman’s life as the rules change and her world becomes unrecognizable. In depicting the great cost of war and the ineluctable power of time on a life, Elise Valmorbida has created an unforgettable portrait of a woman navigating both the unforeseen and the inevitable.Advance praise for Madonna of the Mountains“The moral and ethical questions raised propel the story beyond the particulars into the universal.”—Kirkus Reviews“It is a bewitching but entirely unsentimental portrait of one woman’s attempt to keep her family safe in turbulent times.”—The Times (UK), Book of the Month“A solid choice for readers who appreciate layered family sagas.”—Library Journal
The Madwoman Upstairs: A Novel
by Catherine LowellIn Catherine Lowell's smart and original debut novel, the only remaining descendant of the Brontë family embarks on a modern-day literary scavenger hunt to find the family's long-rumored secret estate, using only the clues her eccentric father left behind, and the Brontës' own novels.Samantha Whipple is used to stirring up speculation wherever she goes. Since her father's untimely death, she is the presumed heir to a long-rumored trove of diaries, paintings, letters, and early novel drafts passed down from the Brontë family--a hidden fortune never revealed to anyone outside of the family, but endlessly speculated about by Brontë scholars and fanatics. Samantha, however, has never seen this alleged estate and for all she knows, it's just as fictional as Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights. Yet everything changes when Samantha enrolls at Oxford University and long lost objects from the past begin rematerializing in her life. Her father's distinctive copy of Jane Eyre, which should have perished in the fire that claimed his life, mysteriously appears on Samantha's bed. Annotated in her father's handwriting, the book is the first of many clues in an elaborate scavenger hunt derived from the world's greatest literature. With the help of a handsome but inscrutable professor, Samantha must plunge into a vast literary mystery and an untold family legacy, one that can only be solved by decoding the clues hidden within the Brontës' own writing. For readers who devoured The Weird Sisters and Special Topics in Calamity Physics, The Madwoman Upstairs is a suspenseful, exhilarating debut by an exciting new talent who offers a moving exploration of what it means when the greatest truth is, in fact, fiction.
The Maeve Binchy Collection
by Maeve BinchyHeart-warming and heart-pulling tales of everyday life, full of wit, charm and wisdom from the world's greatest storyteller. 'One of the world's best-loved writers' Woman's WeeklyHeart-warming and heart-pulling tales of everyday life, full of wit, charm and wisdom from the world's greatest storyteller.'One of the world's best-loved writers' Woman's WeeklyContains: THE COPPER BEECH, THE GLASS LAKE, EVENING CLASS, TARA ROAD, SCARLET FEATHER
The Maeve Binchy Collection
by Maeve BinchyHeart-warming and heart-pulling tales of everyday life, full of wit, charm and wisdom from the world's greatest storyteller. 'One of the world's best-loved writers' Woman's WeeklyHeart-warming and heart-pulling tales of everyday life, full of wit, charm and wisdom from the world's greatest storyteller.'One of the world's best-loved writers' Woman's WeeklyContains: THE COPPER BEECH, THE GLASS LAKE, EVENING CLASS, TARA ROAD, SCARLET FEATHER
The Maggie B.
by Irene HaasA little girl's wish to sail for a day on a boat named for her "with someone nice for company" comes true. Images and image descriptions available.
The Maggie B.
by Irene HaasA little girl's wish for one day of sailing on a ship named after her comes true, but a storm at sea threatens to ruin the adventure.
The Magic Castle: A Mother's Harrowing True Story of Her Adoptive Son's Multiple Personalities and the Triumph of Healing
by Carole Smith"This is a true account of my experiences in successfully raising a child who suffered from multiple personality disorder. In writing the book, I have made extensive use of notes I took during therapy sessions and directly after encounters with alters, mental health personnel, a child placement organization, and the office of the district attorney. Occasionally, I have combined several similar events to avoid repetition. I was not present at the original incidents but I did observe many revivifications of the actual events. My belief in the truth of the personalities' revelations is based upon physical and circumstantial evidence and also occasional verification from witnesses. All of my encounters with the alters, including revivifications, have been accurately depicted and have not been exaggerated in any way. Many names, locations, and identifying details, including those of my family, have been changed or modified. The only names used in this book that have not been altered are those of Bill Conti, Dr. Steven J. Kingsbury, Dr. Nina Fish-Murray, Marie Párente, and Dr. Van der Kolk. The names of places and institutions that have not been changed are Boston Children's Hospital; Camp Wedicko; County District Attorneys Office; Massachusetts Department of Social Services; Massachusetts Mental Health Center; Mount Auburn Hospital; Northboro, Massachusetts; Robert F. Kennedy Residential School; and University of Massachusetts Acute Adolescent Psychiatric Unit at Westboro. As a final note, when he was thirteen years old, my son wanted to sever all connections to the perpetrators and asked to have his first, middle, and last names changed. I gave him an old family name of mine, my husband's middle name, and, of course, our last name. It is important that the reader know of these changes. However, throughout this book I have simply called him Alex."
The Magic Castle: A Mother's Harrowing True Story of Her Adoptive Son's Multiple Personalities—and the Triumph of Healing
by Carole SmithAlex Smith and his eight personalities were trapped in a world of unfathomable evil...until he entered the "magic castle" and found the key to his freedom.When Carole Smith and her husband decided to take in a foster child that no one else would have, they knew ten-year-old Alex would be difficult. But nothing had prepared them for the unruly, self-destructive boy who stormed into their lives. Alone with Alex during the day, Carole was baffled by his infantile tantrums and violent, self-hating behaviors. Exasperated, she tried relating to him as the two-year-old he appeared to be, and finally, a door to Alex's mind began to open.With the help of psychiatrist Dr. Steven Kingsbury, Alex's tormented mind revealed a host of personalities, each born in a horrifying episode of Alex's past-- each carrying a memory too powerful for his conscious mind to handle. As the personalities came forth in the safety of Alex's inner, secret castle, they unleashed stories of abandonment, brainwashing, and sexual abuse by those Alex trusted the most. In The Magic Castle, here is a fascinating true story of the human mind; of innocence shattered by inhuman cruelty; and ultimately of love's power to transform fragments into wholeness-- tragedy into triumph.
The Magic Hour: an uplifting and moving tale of serendipity and fate from bestselling author Charlotte Bingham
by Charlotte BinghamExciting and dramatic but tender and heartfelt; this is a novel that you will return to again and again. From the million copy and Sunday Times bestselling author Charlotte Bingham, for fans of Louise Douglas and Dinah Jeffries.'An engaging, romantic and nostalgic read' -- DAILY MAIL'Compulsive reading... Bingham's prose is lively and vivid, making this a real page turner' -- GOOD BOOK GUIDE"These are characters you will really care about" -- ***** Reader review"Very enjoyable and hard to put down" -- ***** Reader review"Incredibly well written and engrossing" -- ***** Reader review**************************************************************************TWO PATHS, ONE DESTINATION...When Alexandra Stamford goes to stay with her cousins at Knighton Hall she is very much the poor relation. Shortly after her return home, her father re-marries. No longer wanted, Alexandra is forced to become a maid-of-all-work for a Mrs Smithers who lives in a grand Regency house in the seaside town of Deanford.It is here that handsome, funny Bob Atkins meets and falls in love with Alexandra...Meanwhile Tom O'Brien, erstwhile stable lad at Knighton Hall, meets and falls for the beautiful Lady Florazel Compton who introduces him to the sophistications of 1950s London.As Bob is conscripted for National Service, Alexandra plans her future, and in doing so discovers family secrets that have a devastating impact. Tragedy strikes, and it is only when Tom returns from New York to search out his old friend Bob Atkins' fiancée that Alexandra's life appears about to be truly transformed.But the past seems destined to wreck the happiness of the present, as the glamorous Lady Florazel Compton is determined to re-capture her former love, destroying the magic hour of Tom's and Alexandra's meeting.
The Magic Mirror: Concerning a Lonely Princess, a Foundling Girl, a Scheming King and a Pickpocket Squirrel
by Susan Hill LongThe twisty-turny journey of a girl searching for her heart's desire--glimpsed in a magic mirror. Perfect for fans of Rump or Catherine, Called Birdy A foundling girl with a crooked leg and a crutch doesn't expect life to be easy. Indeed, Maggie's dearest wish is to simply not feel so alone. So when she spies a man behind bars in a magic mirror said to show one's truest desire, she feels sure he is the father she's always longed for--and she sets off on a quest to find him. Along the way, Maggie meets both kindly pilgrims and dastardly highwaymen. She discovers she bears a striking resemblance to the princess Petranilla. Their connection is so remarkable that Petra believes Maggie must be her lost sister who fell from the castle wall and was swept downriver as a baby. What a turn of fate! From reviled foundling to beloved royal! But being the lost princess turns out to be more curse than blessing given the schemes of the current king... And if Maggie's a princess, then who is the man she spied in the magic mirror? This is a grand middle grade adventure story full of mistaken identities, lost loves, found families, and a tantalizing tinge of magic."I love this book--an uproarious, thoughtful, touching, absurd, ans altogether splendid adventure." --Karen Cushman, Newbery Medal-winning author of The Midwife's Apprentice and Catherine, Called Birdy
The Magic Misfits Complete Collection Omnibus
by Neil Patrick HarrisThe #1 New York Times bestselling Magic Misfits series from acclaimed and wildly popular celebrity Neil Patrick Harris is now available as a boxed set!Join the Magic Misfits as they discover adventure, friendship, and more than a few hidden secrets in this beautifully designed boxed set, which includes all four books in the unique and always surprising series: The Magic Misfits, The Magic Misfits: The Second Story, The Magic Misfits: The Minor Third, and The Magic Misfits: The Fourth Suit.Whether you're a long-time expert at illusion or simply a fan of stage magic, hold on to your top hat!
The Magic Misfits: The Second Story (Magic Misfits #1)
by Neil Patrick Harris Lissy Marlin<P>From award-winning actor, Neil Patrick Harris, comes the magical first book in a new series with plenty of tricks up its sleeve. <P>When street magician Carter runs away, he never expects to find friends and magic in a sleepy New England town. But like any good trick, things change instantly as greedy B.B. Bosso and his crew of crooked carnies arrive to steal anything and everything they can get their sticky fingers on. <P> After a fateful encounter with the local purveyor of illusion, Dante Vernon, Carter teams up with five other like-minded illusionists. Together, using both teamwork and magic, they'll set out to save the town of Mineral Wells from Bosso's villainous clutches. These six Magic Misfits will soon discover adventure, friendship, and their own self-worth in this delightful new series. <P>(Psst. Hey, you! Yes, you! Congratulations on reading this far. As a reward, I'll let you in on a little secret... This book isn't just a book. It's a treasure trove of secrets and ciphers and codes and even tricks. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll discover more than just a story--you'll learn how to make your own magic!) <P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
The Magic Misfits: The Second Story (The Magic Misfits #2)
by Neil Patrick Harris Lissy Marlin Kyle HiltonFrom award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris comes the magical second book in the New York Times bestselling Magic Misfits series--with even more tricks up its sleeve. Growing up in an orphanage, Leila was bullied for being different. She turned her hardship into skill by becoming an escape artist--a valuable trait when you belong to a group of magical best friends. <P><P>But when a famous psychic comes to town, Leila and her pals can't escape the big mystery heading their way. Whether chasing mad monkeys or banishing ghosts from haunted hotels, these six friends will do their best to keep their home of Mineral Wells safe--but can they protect themselves? <P><P>Join the Magic Misfits as they discover adventure, friendship, and more than a few hidden secrets in this delightful new series. Whether you're a long-time expert at illusion or simply a new fan of stage magic, hold onto your top hat!...have more questions? I thought you might. Here are some answers: <P><P>WHERE? A sleepy town in New England. Within the town is a magic shop, run by the friendly but mysterious Dante Vernon--the gang's caped and top-hatted mentor. WHO? Carter, who can make things vanish. Leila, who can escape from anything. Theo, who can make things levitate. Ridley, who can invent anything. And twins Olly and Izzy, who can make anyone laugh. <P><P>WHY? Because together, these six magical misfits will discover adventure, friendship, and the town's long-hidden secrets.(Psst. Hey, you! Yes, YOU! Congratulations on reading this far down. As a reward, I'll let you in on a little secret... This book isn't just a book. It's a treasure trove of secrets and ciphers and codes and even tricks. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll discover more than just a story--you'll learn how to make your own magic!) <P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>