Want to see something cool?
I can make that quarter vanish.
All it takes is a little magic…
Fourth grade was supposed to be a fresh start, but Mike's already back in the principal's office. He's not a bad kid. He just can't sit still. And now, his parents won't let him play soccer anymore; instead he has to hang out with his new neighbor Nora, who is good at everything!
Then, Mike and Nora discover the White Rabbit. It's an odd shop--with a special secret inside. Its owner, Mr. Zerlin, is a magician, and, amazingly, he believes Mike could be a magician, too. Has Mike finally found something he's good at?
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
Abracadabra! This book will cast a spell on you!
By Bookphile
Reading has never been an issue for me. Even as a kid, I was often found curled up in a chair with a stack of books, and I never had trouble finding one that captured my attention. As a bookworm parent, I was shocked when my first child turned out to initially be a very reluctant reader. Books that I thought sounded amazing held no appeal for her, so I learned to search for a wide variety of subjects and character types in my search to find something she'd enjoy. Nowadays, I often find her with a book in hand, but it took some time and some coaxing to get her there.I mention all this because The Vanishing Coin is exactly the kind of book I looked for when trying to find some outside-of-the-box books that might appeal to her. It stands out from many other middle grade books because it takes a different approach, offering up a combination of a fun story with interesting, winning characters, and some nifty magic tricks. It's the kind of book that will likely click with any kid interested in magic, and might appeal to more reluctant readers because it covers a subject not often seen in middle grade novels, not fantasy-style magic--though there's an element of that as well, but the type of magic performed that's performed by illusionists.The book's main character, Mike, is basically a good, fourth-grade kid who keeps landing himself in trouble because he has problems staying focused. I don't remember if the book ever mentions a specific diagnosis for him, but it does cover how his parents have worked with him to help him develop coping skills. It's not that Mike is necessarily uninterested in school, he just finds it hard to do things like remain in his seat during tests. He likes to get up, walk around, play with objects to help him clear his head. This book made me think a lot about kids in this situation and how our educational system doesn't do much to help them out. Throughout the book, it seems like Mike would be more successful if he weren't expected to sit at his desk with his hands folded. I imagine a lot of kids will identify with a character like Mike, a square peg who's frustrated by the way everyone tries to stuff him in a round hole, even when he knows their intentions are good.By contrast, Mike has a friend named Nora who seems to be the exact opposite of him: bookish, smart, and the type of student a teacher loves to have. Nora is also kind and considerate, though, and she doesn't make Mike feel like he's lesser. The nice part about their relationship is these two help one another see that not everyone has the same sort of personality, and both experience growth because of it. Mike comes to understand that while the grass may seem greener on Nora's side, she has her own unique set of challenges and obstacles. At first Mike is embarrassed by their friendship, which springs out of necessity because their parents help one another out with childcare, but over time he grows to appreciate Nora and to see that because they are different, they're able to look at things differently and reach outcomes neither of them would have been able to reach on their own.The book contains some bullying as well, by a kid named Jackson who sees Mike as an easy target. What I like about this book is that Mike starts to learn new ways of overcoming the bully, but he also feels glimmers of sympathy for the kid. Rather than taking the easy way out, the author gives Jackson some shades as well, giving readers a glimpse of why Jackson might act the way he does. Mike isn't always nice to Jackson in return, but I think the book does a good job of depicting how Mike and Nora try to work out solutions to dealing with the Jackson problem. As this is the start of a series, I anticipate that this storyline will evolve over time, and I think there's a lot yet to be explored here.The most satisfying aspect of the book, though, is that Mike discovers his passion and realizes that he isn't stupid or incapable, he simply needs to feel passionate about something in order to be able to fully focus on it. This doesn't undo the problems he has with school and, indeed, his newfound passion sometimes interferes and creates more problems for him, but I liked this aspect of the book as well. It's important that kids learn to find a balance between doing the things they love and getting done the things they have to get done. Mike's problems aren't all resolved by the time this book ends, but he starts to see how blending his passion with his chores can help him to become better at both, which I think is a great message. There's plenty of room for growth over the course of the series, with this aspect as well as with the character aspects.Mixed in with the narrative are pictures of various scenes, though this isn't truly a graphic novel. It's a good transitional novel, though, bridging the gap between picture books and chapter books, and it might also draw in kids who prefer comics and graphic novels to novels. The real fun, though, is in the magic tricks that are sprinkled throughout the novel. They sparked my own fourth-grader's interest so much that she wanted to try all of them, so I told her to make me a supply list so I can get her what she needs to perform the tricks. She very much liked the idea of being able to amaze her friends with some illusions, and it's always a plus for me when a book inspires her to explore topics related to it outside of the book itself. She enjoyed this book so much that she told me right away she would want to read the second, and there are few better recommendations for any book than that.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
"Want to see something cool?. . . All it takes is a little magic."
By Didaskalex
"Want to see something cool? I can make that quarter vanish!"For my grandson Noah, 9, fourth grade is expected to be a fresh start, and I thought sharing with him some entertaining ideas will help him stay attentive in class, and interested in his Charter school. This book features an active fourth grader called Mike, who seems to suffer from Einstein's wondering mind. Mike's parents have ordered him quit soccer so he can focus more on school work, but staying on task is an endless struggle for poor Mike.Mike who can't stay still, is already back from the principal's office. Deprived of playing soccer, he is to hang out with his new neighbor Norah. She is a Rachel of all trades; annoyingly good at everything. They discover the White Rabbit magic store, and resourceful owner. Mike feels a spontaneous connection, and discovers he has a great potential for magic tricks, helping him to fit into fourth grade and may even deal in confidence with class bully!The Vanishing Coin is the first volume of a new series for chapter book novice readers. Co-writer, Mike Lane, a magician, gives directions to performing magic tricks, so Noah can learn tricks right along with Mike. This book is very appealing for young readers 8-10, a clever introduction to 'do-magic' book. Richly illustrated with attracting cartoon drawings by author and illustrator Eric Wight. This book appeals to all kids, particularly recognition seekers.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.An easy, fun read and a charming start to a new series.
By J.Prather
The Vanishing Coins is a charming start to what promises to be a great new series for young elementary school readers. Readers will find it easy to relate to young Mike, an intelligent, good natured young man who has a bit of a problem sitting still in school. He's tired of being the one always in trouble, and is searching for something he can be good at. It looks like he finds the answer when he and a friend happen upon the White Rabbit Magic Shop. They encounter a mysterious magician, and Mike learns that he might just have a special talent he can use to make his school life easier.This is a very simple, straightforward story that also includes some well written instructions for magic tricks that will likely turn many readers into aspiring magicians. The Vanishing Coin is a great start to a new series and an enthusiastic recommend for students in grades 3 and 4 looking for an easy, fun read.
