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About The Book

“This middle grade series starter is tailor-made for Harry Potter’s fans.” —Kirkus Reviews

For fans of the Land of Stories and the Wings of Fire Series, this first enchanting adventure from acclaimed novelist Scarlett Thomas is set in a wondrous realm where magic most decidedly exists, a growing evil lurks, and a group of children is destined to save the world.


Effie Truelove believes in magic, as does her grandfather Griffin (although he refuses to do any magic, let alone teach Effie how to use it). After a mysterious incident leaves Griffin close to death, Effie is given an unusual silver ring and told she must look after her grandfather’s library of rare and powerful books. But then the books fall into the hands of shady scholar Leonard Levar, and Effie is propelled into the most dangerous adventure of her life.

Now, Effie and her friends—nerdy Maximilian, rugby-mad Wolf, helpful Lexy, and eccentric Raven—must discover their true powers if they are to get the books back. And Effie alone will have to travel to the Otherworld, where she will uncover the true meaning of the strange old book called Dragon’s Green

About The Author

Photograph by Ed Thompson

Scarlett Thomas was born in London. She is the author of the Worldquake series. She is also the author of nine books for adults, including PopCo, The End of Mr. Y, which was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction in 2007 (formerly known as Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction), and Our Tragic Universe. She teaches creative writing at the University of Kent. Find out more at Worldquake.co.uk.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 30, 2017)
  • Length: 384 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781481497862
  • Grades: 4 - 7
  • Ages: 9 - 12
  • Lexile ® 790L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

"In vivid, inviting prose, Thomas deftly evokes an original, intriguing post-technological Earth looming with evil where 'books are magic' and memorable misfits become heroes. A compelling new fantasy series with an unlikely heroine, quirky helpers, dragons, portals, witches, and wizards."

– Kirkus Reviews

"Filled with fantastical events and flourishes of intricate detail, this middle-grade series starter is tailor-made for Harry Potters fans: an array of unique and likable characters aiding a hero in an adventure of a lifetime."

– Booklist

"Recommended for readers looking for fantasy, magic, and a new world to explore."

– School Library Journal

*A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD SELECTION

*A SUMMER 2017 KIDS' INDIE NEXT LIST PICK

Awards and Honors

  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Junior Title

Resources and Downloads

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More books from this author: Scarlett Thomas

More books in this series: Worldquake