Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Publisher: Harpercollins Juvenile Books
Release Date: April 29, 2003
ISBN: 006051406X
Awards:
Format Reviewed: Hardcover
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Genre: Fiction Juvenile - ages 8 and up
Reviewed: 2003
Reviewer: Carisa Weeaks
Reviewer Notes:

Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hypnotism
By Georgia Byng 


     At the Hardwick House, Molly Moon daydreams of being far away from the dismal, dingy hallways of the orphanage where she and her friend, Rocky Scarlet, have grown up. After having what seems to be the worst day of her stringy haired, blotchy-legged life, Molly runs to the Briersville library and hides in her favorite section - the Z's.

     While napping, she's awakened by the loud yelling of a greasy, rotund man in a Hawaiian print shirt claiming to be a professor. He's furious at the librarian for losing a book by Dr. H. Logan he has sent money to buy, but when the librarian offers to give him back the money, he instead stomps out and informs her to contact him when she finds out where the book went. Just when she doesn't think things could get any stranger, she glances over the Y section and notices a strange book with the word "Ypnotism" in big bold letters. Molly is curious as to why such a word would exist. When she opens the book, she realizes she just found Hypnotism: An Ancient Art Explained by Dr. H. Logan, the book that the professor was looking for. She has no idea when she sneaks the book out of the library that that it will change her life and the lives of everyone around her, especially Miss Adderstone's prized chocolate cookie-chomping pug, Petula.

     This is an incredible story of daydreams, miracles, as well as the rewards and consequences of getting what we wish for. Each character is so brilliantly shaped and filled with life that even J.K. Rowlings' fans will give Byng a standing ovation. There is a deep, sometimes dark, innocence in Molly, Rocky, and Petula the Pug that's never truly been captured by a writer the way it has been by Byng. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good laugh and has kids who would love to share in the laughter and triumph of little Molly Moon, too.

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