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The Wizard of Balalac, by Fran Orenstein, ISBN: 10-0982634420, Sleepytown Press, review by ellen george
I am a fan of Fran Orenstein's.
Her 'children's/tweens' book The Ghost Under Third Base is one of my favorites. Orenstein's works transcend the age barrier. All ages will enjoy her books, just as we all have made Harry Potter a staple in our homes.
The Wizard of Balalac is a delightful start to a series featuring 12 year old boys from New York. One of the boys, Tyler Trent, was told by his free spirit adventurous uncle that he was old enough to go to Beadlesberry Bookstore and ask for a special book, The Book of Mysteries. Rather than having Tyler and his best bud, Zack Vander, buy the book, Beadlesberry has them open the book and choose an adventure to experience. The book only has titles in it. The boys choose The Wizard of Balalac - they are given the key words to enter that world, and a special quartz pendant to use to return.
Thinking Beadlesberry is an old delusional man, they go along with things, and find themselves transported to a land where cows are purple (and give purple milk, of course!)and dragons and sorcerers!
The boys must figure out a way to help the people of Balalac and return back to New York.
The premise of the book is unique, and the writing is crisp and delightful.
It is an excellent addition to the adventure genre - adding to the Perseus Jackson series (Riordon) and the Alchemyst series (Scott)-
Although certainly tween friendly, all of us who love fantasy, and fun in our books as well as innovative writing will definitely enjoy this book!
Well worth reading and start waiting for the next in the series!
ellen george
The Wizard of Balalac, by Fran Orenstein, ISBN: 10-0982634420, Sleepytown Press, review by ellen george
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