The Magic Hat of Mortimer Wintergreen

by Myron Levoy

In 1893, thirteen-year-old Joshua and his eleven-year-old sister, Amy, travel from South Dakota to New York City with the help of the mysterious Mortimer Wintergreen and his unpredictable magic hat.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Fantasy

211 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1988

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a scene-setting beginning in which we meet the orphans and their evil guardian aunt, the book gets somewhat exciting and very silly. To be sure, it's the kind of humor some readers will love, and others will think lame. I love to read word-play and of a kind (& mostly honest) snake-oil peddler, so I enjoyed the book. Sometimes the suspension of disbelief was a bit too much, though... from where did the hat get things like bugles and good food? Presumably somebody, perhaps somebody who really needs same, has been stolen from, and yet no character has a fret.

3.5 stars rounded down because I believe the GR community rates this too highly and, though I want you to consider reading this, I don't want you to get your hopes too high!

[L.kerry Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my absolute favorite books !

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little story. Very Roald Dahl-ish.

[Susan Waltman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book and a short read. I couldn't wait to read what was going to happen next.

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

After their parents were killed in a Sioux attack, Amy and Joshua have been living with their evil Aunt Vootch. Set in 1890s South Dakota, Amy and Joshua are constantly working to the bone and getting punished by their card-obsessed aunt. When traveling magician/peddler, Mortimer Wintergreen, rolls through town, the two escape and hitch a ride with him. With the help of the Mortimer's temperamental magic hat, the siblings and their friend head to New York to find Amy’s and Joshua’s grandparents. Aunt Vootch, however, is hot on their trail and determined to bring them back to South Dakota. Will the siblings find their grandparents in time?

Narrator, Kirby Heyborne’s engaging narrative brings to life the unusual world of Amy and Joshua. His unique voice adds depth and humor to the characters and their personalities. The plot is well developed, funny, and easily draws the reader into the book. The narrative style of Kirby easily complements the writing style of Levoy. Fans of humorous fantasy adventures will enjoy this delightful read.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought that I was going to like this book a lot more than I did. I guess if I'd read it as a younger child, I'd have liked it a lot more, but all of Mortimer's silliness just irritated me. It was like he used the wrong word the entire book" to complete the particular phrases that he was using, and it got to be a bit too much.
I also thought that even though Joshua was older than Amy that Amy was the more mature of the characters.
"

[Nina Mielke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nach den ersten Seiten dieses Buches wollte ich es schon wieder weglegen. ich habe aber weiter gelesen und es war die richtige Entscheidung.
Die Geschichte der beiden Kinder, die sich mit Mr. Mortimer auf die Reise begeben ist so fantasievoll und voller Abenetuer, dass man das Buch gar nicht wieder weglegen möchte.

[Edwin Soto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most fantastic books I've read as a kid. I just read it over a two week period for my 10 year old and a 6 year old and it blew their minds. I hadn't read it in 25 years and all I remembered was it was magical (sic) and wonderful.

It surely took me to a wonderful place of adventure. I almost wept when it was over.

[Kati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnny Depp is making into a movie. This will be great. Part Alice, part Charlie, part James(and his peach) and who knows what else.

Not a great adult read, but kids that don't scare easy would love it!

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time in third grade and I still love it! It's a fun tale of a brother and sister traveling to find their parents with the help of a magician and his magic hat!

[Bridget Pfefferle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully imaginative story, with suprisingly complex characters for such a quick, fun read. I checked this book out of my elementary school library at least a dozen times.

[PorshaJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute story for children. Very entertaining and a little story that I can quickly tell to children. The characters were wonderful. Looking forward to the big screen version of this book.

[Kay Irao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of my favorite childhood books!