Magic Trix: Secrets and Spies by Sara Grant (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)

January 2014, Orion, 128 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Themes: keeping secrets, magic, permanent an temporary mean girls, bookworm, moving house, spying, being under constant surveillance, being the last to do something, sheer joy at accomplishing something tricky

 

Content: lots of lqughs, some major peril

Summary from Orion

Trix is on a mission - she must use her witch powers to grant a wish for a grumpy new girl. But her pesky little brother, Oscar, believes Trix is up to something and wants to uncover her secret. With Oscar spying on her every move, how can Trix work her magic?

Nayuleska's thoughts

As ever this series keeps getting better. I loved how Oscar stuck to Trix like glue. He would make a great reporter when he's older. I had to smile when he was in huge trouble with their parents - ok a little bit of that was Trix's magic going a bit far but Oscar, probably because of his age, was tricking Trix in ways which could have seriously hurt someone, and did provide some discomfort of Trix and their parents. That's not all Trix has to deal with. She struggles being the last in the class to understand what 'Mean' Melinda's problem is, which is as tricky as avoiding Oscar. I really felt for Trix because it is so hard watching other people gain success in something and to feel a failure. She learns patience in this story, as well as further cementing her tight friendship bond with Holly who is in on her big, magical secret.

As ever I loved the illustrations, especially when Trix is wearing the trench coat with star trousers. There's a point in the story which isn't a good time for Melinda but she looks a bit like how I imagine little red riding hood to look with the hood of her hoodie up. Oh and the parts where various characters fall on top of other characters- their expressions are classic!

Suggested read

Read the rest of the books in this fun series including book 4,Magic Trix: Museum Mayhem (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)