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Magical Children: The Invisible Boy

Sally Gardner, Author

Imprint: Orion Children's Books

Publication date: June 20, 2013

Category: Fantasy

ISBN: 9781444011616

As the little alien explains to Sam, being invisible can be a big help. A very funny adventure story by award-winning author Sally Gardner, in her MAGICAL CHILDREN series.

When his parents are lost in space, Sam is left in the care of the horrible neighbour Hilda Hardbottom. There he finds a tiny spaceship in the cabbage patch and meets a little alien called Splodge. Splodge loves ketchup, enjoys learning languages and can make himself – and Sam – invisible. How Sam uses this helpful new skill is a very funny and satisfying story for young readers.

Reviews

This story sparkles with originality and appealing out-of-the-ordinary events to provide a rivetting read.

JUNIOR MAGAZINE

What makes Gardner's book special is not just the cleverness of its plot, but its charming linguistic zaniness... It's a pleasure to read - to yourself and aloud.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Funny and exciting

Townsille Bulletin

A heart-warming and laugh-out-loud story with wonderful memorable characters

Middleton and North Manchester Guardian

Funny imaginative and touching, the Invisible boy sees Sally Gardner writing at the height of her powers.

LOVEREADING4KIDS

The Invisible Boy has enough humour and action to keep less confident readers as well as assured readers turning the pages.

BOOKS FOR KEEPS

Gardner's playful hyperbole and spry pen-and-inks are certain kid-pleasers. Ages 7-up.

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

Sally Gardner

Sally Gardner is an award-winning novelist from London. Her books have been translated into 22 languages and have sold more than one million copies in the UK. Her historical novel for older readers, I, Coriander, won the Smarties Children’s Book Prize in 2005. Two thrillers both set at the time of the French Revolution, The Red Necklace and The Silver Blade, which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize in 2009, followed. Actor Dominic West (The Wire) has bought the film rights to both titles. Her YA novel, The Double Shadow, was published in 2011 to critical acclaim. Sally Gardner’s stories for middle readers include Lucy Willow and the popular Magical Children series of six titles: The Strongest Girl in the World, The Invisible Boy, The Boy with Magic Numbers, The Smallest Girl in the World, The Boy with the Lightning Feet, and The Boy who could Fly, which are also available as audio books. She has also written and illustrated picture books including The Fairy Catalogue, The Glass Heart, The Book of Princesses and Playtime Rhymes. Sally Gardner continues to be an avid spokesperson for dyslexia, working to change the way it is perceived by society. She is dyslexic and argues that it is not a disability, but a gift.

Her website is www.sallygardner.net and you can follow her on Twitter @TheSallyGardner