I love discovering new books that I am excited to read to my fourth grade son, especially when they are a series. I love series!  I get so attached to characters, and I want adventures to continue.

We were sent [amazon_link id=”0544339088″ target=”_blank” ]Bruce Coville’s Magic  Shop Books[/amazon_link].  This set contains five books:

• [amazon_link id=”0152052178″ target=”_blank” ]Juliet Dove, Queen of Love: A Magic Shop Book[/amazon_link]
• [amazon_link id=”0152064427″ target=”_blank” ]The Monster’s Ring: A Magic Shop Book[/amazon_link]
• [amazon_link id=”0152062521″ target=”_blank” ]Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher: A Magic Shop Book[/amazon_link]
• [amazon_link id=”0152062467″ target=”_blank” ]Jennifer Murdley’s Toad: A Magic Shop Book[/amazon_link]
• [amazon_link id=”0152060847″ target=”_blank” ]The Skull of Truth: A Magic Shop Book[/amazon_link]

Step inside Mr. Elives’ magic shop, where the shelves are stocked with strange and mysterious goods. The children in these five books each leave the shop with magical items intended especially for them.

In The Monster’s Ring, Russell Crannaker, bullied all his life, gets a chance to fight back when he is given a monstrous magical item.

In Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, a boy gets a small marbled dragon’s egg—and when it hatches, his wildest dreams take wing.

In Jennifer Murdley’s Toad, a girl “in a plain brown wrapper,” buys a talking toad who knows a thing or two about the true nature of beauty.

In The Skull of Truth, Charlie Eggleston, the biggest liar in town, steals a skull from the shop, and it puts him under some sort of spell: He can only tell the truth—but now no one believes him!

And in Juliet Dove, Queen of Love, a shy girl suddenly becomes the most popular girl in school when she wears the ancient amulet given to her at the magic shop.

I have not read these books cover to cover, but flipping through them, I can tell we will enjoy them. Actually, they have attracted the attention of other parents that have visited our home and seen them on the counter.  They just look so cool!

I love books that contain wisdom on almost every page.  Just opening  randomly [amazon_link id=”0152052178″ target=”_blank” ]Juliet Dove, Queen of Love: A Magic Shop Book[/amazon_link], I came across this passage:

“But the highest form of love was called agape,” said Ms. Priest, “the selfless love of one person for another.  This is not the love that desires to possess, but the love that comes from an open heart and desires the greatest good for others.”  She looked a little sad when she added, “Maybe the reason we don’t have a separate word for such love is that it is so rare in our modern world.  Or perhaps it’s the other way around.  Maybe the reason we’re always so confused about love is that we don’t have the proper words to discuss it in all its forms.”

I love that!

These books are designed for children in grades fourth through seventh.

The publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s corporate and social responsibility report describes what they are doing to make the world a better place.  Two key areas for those of us concerned about the environment and our children’s health are:

Sustainability
Our 2014 Paper Procurement and Usage Policy, deemed industry-leading by the Rainforest Action Network, outlines HMH’s commitment to responsible and reduced environmental impact, including specific goals to achieve by 2018.

Green Apple Initiative
Together with the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), HMH is working to provide more than two million children with access to safer, healthier, and better learning environments.

[amazon_enhanced asin=”0152060847″ /][amazon_enhanced asin=”0152062467″ /][amazon_enhanced asin=”0152062521″ /][amazon_enhanced asin=”0152064427″ /][amazon_enhanced asin=”0152052178″ /][amazon_enhanced asin=”0544339088″ /]

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.