Stranger Things Have Happened - Softcover

Strand, Jeff

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1492645397 ISBN 13: 9781492645399

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire, 2017

Synopsis

"This book would be a good stepping stone for those readers who enjoy the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series."―School Library Connection

Jeff Strand's signature humor returns in this tale of magic, illusions, and self-discovery.

Harry Houdini. Penn and Teller. David Copperfield. Marcus Millian the Third.

Okay, so Marcus isn't a famous magician. He may not even be a great magician. But his great-grandfather, the once-legendary and long-retired Zachary the Stupendous, insists Marcus has true talent. And when Grandpa Zachary boasts that he and Marcus are working on an illusion that will shock, stun, and astonish, Marcus wishes he could make himself disappear.

The problem? Marcus also has stage fright―in spades. It's one thing to perform elaborate card tricks in front of his best friend, Kimberly, but it's an entirely different feat to perform in front of an audience.

Then Grandpa Zachary dies in his sleep.

To uphold his great-grandfather's honor, the show must go on. It would take a true sorcerer to pull off the trick Marcus has planned. But maybe he's the next best thing…

About this title

About the Author

Jeff Strand is the Bram-Stoker Award-winning author of more than sixty books, which is a pretty good number but not as many as R.L. Stine. Cemetery Dance magazine said, “No author working today comes close to Jeff Strand’s perfect mixture of comedy and terror.” He loves barbecue, sugary drinks, sushi, and spooky stuff. You can visit his Gleefully Macabre website at www.jeffstrand.com. 

Reviews

Gr 7 Up—Fifteen-year-old Marcus Millian III aspires to become a magician and follow in the footsteps of Harry Houdini, Penn and Teller, David Copperfield, and Zachary the Stupendous. The latter was the stage name of his once legendary 89-year-old great-grandfather, Grandpa Zachary Millian, who recognizes true talent in his great-grandson. When Grandpa Zachary's rival, theater owner Bernard, suggests that Marcus is more suited for birthday parties than for large audiences, Grandpa Zachary wages a bet with Bernard that Marcus will pull off an illusion that will shock, stun, and astonish the world. Marcus unwillingly accepts this challenge to honor Grandpa Zachary's legacy. His illusion? Making a shark disappear from a tank. Events tumble wildly downhill as Marcus prepares for his impossible act. Along the way, he confronts bullying, mysterious and dangerous plots, unrequited love, and even death. A sarcastic tone adds to the enjoyment of this story, which captures a refreshing closeness between a teenager and his great-grandfather. The intergenerational bond is made even more believable through flashbacks that depict Grandpa Zachary creating magic with Marcus throughout his childhood. Strand maintains a taut pace with cliff-hanger endings to each chapter, even as he explores larger themes of confidence, perseverance, loyalty, peer pressure, bullying, family relationships, and the role of practice in developing skills. VERDICT Recommended for teens with an interest in magic as well as those who like Gilmore Girls—like rapid wit. A solid choice for most collections.—Donald Peebles, Brooklyn Public Library

Edition details

• Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1492645397
• ISBN 13: 9781492645399
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304