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Children's Fiction Fantasy & Magic

Abby Carnelia's One and Only Magical Power

by (author) David Pogue & Antonio Javier Caparo

Publisher
Square Fish
Initial publish date
Jun 2014
Category
Fantasy & Magic
Recommended Age
8 to 12
Recommended Grade
3 to 7
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781250045522
    Publish Date
    Jun 2014
    List Price
    $20.5
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781596433847
    Publish Date
    Apr 2010
    List Price
    $18.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

One day, Abby Carnelia, ordinary sixth grader, realizes she has a magical power. Okay, it's not a fancy one: she can make a hard-boiled egg spin by tugging on her ears. But it's the only one she has, and it's enough to launch her into an adventure where she meets a host of kids with similarly silly powers, becomes a potential guinea pig for a drug company, and hatches a daring plan for escape.
Kids will be dying to unearth their own magical powers after reading this whimsical debut by tech personality David Pogue.

About the authors

David Pogue's profile page

Antonio Javier Caparo is a Cuban born award—winning illustrator living in Montreal. His works have been selected for publication in the prestigious Spectrum Fantastic Art Annual, and his previous clients include National Geographic, Disney, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and Penguin Random House. His illustrations are made with a mix of graphite pencils on Strathmore paper, and digitally using Procreate and Photoshop.

Antonio Javier Caparo's profile page

Awards

  • Tennessee Intermediate Volunteer State Book Award Master List
  • Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award Master List
  • Long-listed, TN Intermed Volunt State Book Award ML
  • Long-listed, Florida Sunshine State YR Award ML

Editorial Reviews

“I admit it. When I read the last two pages ofAbby Carnelia's One and Only Magical Power, a novel for 8- to 12-year-olds, I cried. . . . It got me with its message of discovering and appreciating your own gifts. . . . The power here lies in the way the author, David Pogue, tells it.” —The New York Times Book Review
“This is the first children's book by tech writer David Pogue. Notably tech-free, it's an original mix of realism, mystery caper, and the teensiest bit of magic. It contains a strong message for girls.” —Parade.com
Abby Carnelia's One and Only Magical Power is smoothly written, with characters that kids can easily recognize and root for. . . . Grown-ups and kids alike should approve the message: Is every child special in some unique way? Is ‘there something waiting to be discovered inside every kid on earth?' We all know the answer to that.” —The Cleveland Plain Dealer
“[This] debut makes the nice point that all kids are special, magical power or no.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Kid-pleasing [with a message] that all gifts, no matter how absurd they seem, have value.” —Publishers Weekly
“This book will please fans of Bruce Coville's ‘Magic Shop' series or other readers looking for a little magic.'” —School Library Journal
“The premise that every child is magical is clearly expressed without ever being heavy-handed. Abby's triumphant finale will have young readers contemplating how they, too, are special.” —Booklist
“David Pogue makes the book witty and action packed.” —Flamingnet.com reviewer, age 15

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