Overview

A pack of paints, a set of pens, and unlimited creativity throw two friends into an enchanted, fast-paced adventure. ZuZu's first summer without her best friend is looking pretty grim, until she meets new kid Andrew at a visit to the historic Mapleton Mansion. Together they stumble upon some enchanted art supplies and discover that the shapes they draw and paint can come to life. Their creations are harmless—but ZuZu and Andrew aren't the only ones with access to magic. Soon, nightmarish half-machine, half-living creatures begin appearing around town, controlled by a power-hungry ""caster"" with a sinister mission. It's up to ZuZu and Andrew to use their newfound abilities to protect their community. ""There are deliciously chilling descriptions of scuttling, otherworldly creations and resurrections gone awry, but there is also delight to be found in enchanted artwork and blossoming friendships. A thrilling introduction to a newfangled magic.""—Booklist ""A satisfying, compelling adventure with an original magical construct and bright, appealing protagonists.""—Kirkus Reviews ""The magical rules created by Voskuil feel exciting . . . . This creative fantasy will move well with fans of Tae Keller's When You Trap a Tiger.""—School Library Journal

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9781728415673

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Reviews

Art comes alive with the help of magic. Rising fourth grader Aleksandra 'ZuZu' Zieuzieulowicz and her new neighbor and classmate, Andrew Chang, are caught up in a return-from-the-dead vengeance plot when they visit a local haunted mansion. They find, in a secret compartment, a set of watercolors and drawing pens seemingly meant for them. The art supplies are infused with magical properties and produce visitons--animated, three-dimensional creatures--when the children combine their drawing and painting skills. Martha Mapleton, who long ago lived in the mansion, explains this to the pair when they bring her charcoal self-portrait to life by completing a missing portion. Martha's malevolent brother, Chester, has held a childhood grudge for a lifetime and beyond. He reanimates himself and numerous auditons--dastardly musical creations--with the assistance of a self-absorbed classmate of ZuZu's, intending to wreak havoc on his bully's descendants. Martha plans to stop him. Entertainingly inventive visitons--some informed by the imagination of ZuZu's younger brother--battle Chester's wicked auditons in an energetic, epic showdown. ZuZu, whose best friend moved away, feels like an outcast; the temptation to hold on to resentment is addressed subtly and with kindness. ZuZu reads as White; Taiwanese American Andrew's diagnosis of Crohn's disease is discussed in an author's note. A satisfying, compelling adventure with an original magical construct and bright, appealing protagonists.--Kirkus Reviews -- Journal (3/1/2022 12:00:00 AM)

[A] complex and magical adventure filled with heart and imagination. --Karen Briner, author of Snowize & Snitch -- (5/1/2022 12:00:00 AM) [T]he reader will be drawn into the story though the fast-paced dialog and multiple points of view, all of which will keep them from wanting to put the book down. Students who appreciate stories involving magic will enjoy reading this book. --School Library Connection -- (8/1/2022 12:00:00 AM) A satisfying, compelling adventure with an original magical construct and bright, appealing protagonists. --Kirkus Reviews -- (3/1/2022 12:00:00 AM) The magical rules created by Voskuil feel exciting . . . . This creative fantasy will move well with fans of Tae Keller's When You Trap a Tiger. --School Library Journal -- (7/1/2022 12:00:00 AM) There are deliciously chilling descriptions of scuttling, otherworldly creations and resurrections gone awry, but there is also delight to be found in enchanted artwork and blossoming friendships. A thrilling introduction to a newfangled magic. --Booklist -- (4/15/2022 12:00:00 AM) Magical, musical, and mysterious. A delightfully haunting tale. --Jennifer Blecher, author of Stick with Me -- (5/1/2022 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

Hannah Voskuil received a B.A. from Middlebury College in Vermont and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston. She is also the author of Horus and the Curse of Everlasting Regret. Her short stories have appeared in anthologies and textbooks around the world. She lives in New England with her husband and two children, in a house with books in virtually every room.

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