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The Magic Shop #1
The Vanishing Coin
Want to see something cool?
I can make that quarter vanish.
All it takes is a little magic…
Fourth grade was supposed to be a fresh start, but Mike's already back in the principal's office. He's not a bad kid. He just can't sit still. And now, his parents won't let him play soccer anymore; instead he has to hang out with his new neighbor Nora, who is good at everything!
Then, Mike and Nora discover the White Rabbit. It's an odd shop—with a special secret inside. Its owner, Mr. Zerlin, is a magician, and, amazingly, he believes Mike could be a magician, too. Has Mike finally found something he's good at?
I can make that quarter vanish.
All it takes is a little magic…
Fourth grade was supposed to be a fresh start, but Mike's already back in the principal's office. He's not a bad kid. He just can't sit still. And now, his parents won't let him play soccer anymore; instead he has to hang out with his new neighbor Nora, who is good at everything!
Then, Mike and Nora discover the White Rabbit. It's an odd shop—with a special secret inside. Its owner, Mr. Zerlin, is a magician, and, amazingly, he believes Mike could be a magician, too. Has Mike finally found something he's good at?
160 pages, Hardcover
First published April 22, 2014
69 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
August 24, 2021
Meh! The plot and characters are too flat. Scribd.com's English text, and translation for Portuguese + audio in English from Google Translate. Continuing the Project Learning English by myself.
February 19, 2019
Mike shows symptoms of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and finds his identity in. magic tricks. Magic books. Magical moments. Mike is struggling in school. He can't control himself and is bullied by Jackson a kid twice his size and in his class. Mike can't understand why he just jumps up and has to move in class, but he does. He can no longer be on the soccer team because of his poor grades and he has low self-esteem. He ends up meeting Nora when their mom's decide to carpool and share watching each others kids after work. Mike discovers that Nora is quite smart, but she is also confident and kind. When the two go to a magic shop, Mike finds that he is not only good at magical tricks, he's better than Nora. He teaches himself how to perform and entertains other students at school making new friends and learning to believe in himself.
Students will love the inserts that explain how to do magic tricks. I thought this read would take me longer than 45 minutes, but the big font and illustrations make it a quickie. A magical twist at the end shows that this is the first book in a series. While Mike is a fourth grader, the book is also a good read for younger students.
I've seen ADHD handled in many ways and Mike doesn't really get good support or the adults don't seem to be giving him behavior strategies for dealing with it. Many times teachers will warn me if a kid with it is having a bad day and they torpedo around out-of-control. They get sent to the counselor's office where they can blow off some steam if it is really bad. Mike gets scolded and sent to the principal's office. At this point it has been identified that Mike had problems last year so it seems that the adults are not treating it as ADHD. But then no one ever says Mike has ADHD, that's just my interpretation of his symptoms. Mike is more of a borderline kid and says he can't control himself. Usually by 4th grade, kids have grown out of hyper, impulsive behavior which is why it seems that he has a disorder. The adults are not implementing any behavior interventions such as helping him stay organized and helping with a book report. It appears they think he can control himself and be more responsible. I'm not so sure. Mike's the kind of kid that falls through the cracks at school not getting help.
Nora helps Mike the most showing him one-on-one how to take notes on index cards and how to write a report for class on the magician Houdini. She takes his interest in magic and turns the homework into something doable for him. She even plays soccer with him to pick up his spirits one day. She's the voice of reason and becoming a friend he can count on. So much so that when his friends ask him to return to the soccer team, he isn't sure he wants to because it means not spending time after school with Nora. A good story for readers that are not ready for a challenging text but need some depth.
Students will love the inserts that explain how to do magic tricks. I thought this read would take me longer than 45 minutes, but the big font and illustrations make it a quickie. A magical twist at the end shows that this is the first book in a series. While Mike is a fourth grader, the book is also a good read for younger students.
I've seen ADHD handled in many ways and Mike doesn't really get good support or the adults don't seem to be giving him behavior strategies for dealing with it. Many times teachers will warn me if a kid with it is having a bad day and they torpedo around out-of-control. They get sent to the counselor's office where they can blow off some steam if it is really bad. Mike gets scolded and sent to the principal's office. At this point it has been identified that Mike had problems last year so it seems that the adults are not treating it as ADHD. But then no one ever says Mike has ADHD, that's just my interpretation of his symptoms. Mike is more of a borderline kid and says he can't control himself. Usually by 4th grade, kids have grown out of hyper, impulsive behavior which is why it seems that he has a disorder. The adults are not implementing any behavior interventions such as helping him stay organized and helping with a book report. It appears they think he can control himself and be more responsible. I'm not so sure. Mike's the kind of kid that falls through the cracks at school not getting help.
Nora helps Mike the most showing him one-on-one how to take notes on index cards and how to write a report for class on the magician Houdini. She takes his interest in magic and turns the homework into something doable for him. She even plays soccer with him to pick up his spirits one day. She's the voice of reason and becoming a friend he can count on. So much so that when his friends ask him to return to the soccer team, he isn't sure he wants to because it means not spending time after school with Nora. A good story for readers that are not ready for a challenging text but need some depth.
October 11, 2017
Vanishing Coin
I finished reading this to the students today. When I asked if they liked the book, 15 out of the 18 said yes. Their favorite part overall was the magic tricks. They liked when Mike performed the tricks, but they also liked that the book contained instructions for them to learn the tricks too. Next week we are having a magic show, discussing the book, making flyers to help promote the book, and picking our next read.
This book is part of a series of books revolving around Mike. He is a smart kid but has difficulty focusing and thinks he isn't good at anything. Then he discovers the White Rabbit and its proprietor, Mr. Zerlin. Mike finds out that he is good at something after all, magic.
This book is sure to be a winner with young readers. Many kids love magic and learning magic tricks. Also, many kids will see shades of themselves in this book. Kids often get distracted or have difficulty focusing, and this book allows them to see that it happens to other kids too. It doesn't make them stupid, they just need to find their own kind of magic.
I finished reading this to the students today. When I asked if they liked the book, 15 out of the 18 said yes. Their favorite part overall was the magic tricks. They liked when Mike performed the tricks, but they also liked that the book contained instructions for them to learn the tricks too. Next week we are having a magic show, discussing the book, making flyers to help promote the book, and picking our next read.
This book is part of a series of books revolving around Mike. He is a smart kid but has difficulty focusing and thinks he isn't good at anything. Then he discovers the White Rabbit and its proprietor, Mr. Zerlin. Mike finds out that he is good at something after all, magic.
This book is sure to be a winner with young readers. Many kids love magic and learning magic tricks. Also, many kids will see shades of themselves in this book. Kids often get distracted or have difficulty focusing, and this book allows them to see that it happens to other kids too. It doesn't make them stupid, they just need to find their own kind of magic.
July 8, 2017
Magic is always a great topic for kids and this book will be a winner with young readers for sure. A relatable story with just enough fantasy to make it fun. Love the "how-to" parts that teach the tricks.
May 18, 2017
Lots of kids will relate to Mike and his struggles at school. Beware magic shops in FL...you might be experiencing a boom in sales! I think kids are going to love this, but the ending really leaves you hanging! I'll have to get the next two so they can keep reading!
September 23, 2022
Review by my 8-year-old daughter: “This book is very dramatic. It includes a lot of magic. Creative.”
July 29, 2017
It's important to find what you love, to find a place where you feel competent and confident, and to have friends. All those things are coming into place for new 4th grader, Mike. I am looking forward to reading the next books in the series to see how positive accomplishments work to eliminate belittling behaviors from those looking for the temporary boost of an easy put down. I hope that's what I find in the next books.
May 26, 2016
Mike wonders if something is wrong with him. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t sit still and focus. When he finds an old joke shop one day, he realizes that this shop also sells supplies for magicians. The owner of the shop, Mr. Zerlin, promises to teach Mike a trick if he can answer a riddle for him. When Mike shows off his first magic trick at school, most of the kids are impressed and he feels more popular than he ever has before. His new hobby also helps his make friends with his new neighbor, Nora, and deal with a bully. Magic is changing his world, but he can’t help but wonder if there’s magic beyond just the tricks he is learning.
all in all i would recommend this book to kids who like funny short holiday books and this is a fun book.
all in all i would recommend this book to kids who like funny short holiday books and this is a fun book.
June 23, 2014
First book in The Magic Shop series! Great story about Mike who is trying to cope with ADHD, a magician who sets him on the right path, supportive friends, and the neighborhood bully. The directions for the magic tricks are interspersed within the chapter. Kids will love this one, especially those who like a little nonfiction mixed with their fiction!
March 28, 2016
This was the before bed reading with my six year old this week, and we both enjoyed it! Me because I have ADHD like the main character and i escape via magic (fantasy books) and my son loves it because hes currently all about learning magic tricks!
August 10, 2015
Looking forward to reading this one aloud and practicing some magic tricks!
June 3, 2017
I am slowly reading my way through the grades 3-5 Sunshine State Young Readers books for 2017-2018. You know...because now I'm a librarian :) :) :). I'll need to know about these books for my new job. :) Sorry, my perpetual excitement causes me to digress.
This SSYRA book receives my 8 year old son's seal of approval. Even though he's more into non-fiction and prefers reading about bugs, sports, and science, he stayed pretty interested in this one. The little bits of magic here and there throughout this book set it apart from your usual book about a kid with significant ADHD issues. Fourth grader, Mike Weiss, battles feeling bad about himself because no matter how hard he tries or how many "strategies" his parents come up with, he cannot be still in class. These issues are portrayed accurately and could absolutely help a child battling something this debilitating condition feel like he's not alone in his struggles. My son especially loved this magic tricks embedded in this book. We've watched him hide a coin in a dollar bill about 1,259 times now. The Vanishing Coin is the first in a new series, so there's more to come!
This SSYRA book receives my 8 year old son's seal of approval. Even though he's more into non-fiction and prefers reading about bugs, sports, and science, he stayed pretty interested in this one. The little bits of magic here and there throughout this book set it apart from your usual book about a kid with significant ADHD issues. Fourth grader, Mike Weiss, battles feeling bad about himself because no matter how hard he tries or how many "strategies" his parents come up with, he cannot be still in class. These issues are portrayed accurately and could absolutely help a child battling something this debilitating condition feel like he's not alone in his struggles. My son especially loved this magic tricks embedded in this book. We've watched him hide a coin in a dollar bill about 1,259 times now. The Vanishing Coin is the first in a new series, so there's more to come!
January 7, 2019
First, my review - this book was poorly written. Can’t we please expect more from our kids? Don’t talk down to them. You can write a compelling story for children and still write well. Also, it bothered me a great deal that the protagonist was clearly struggling with school and yet the adults were not supporting him. They were completely clueless, simply nagging Mike to “try harder”. And while I realize that this is the first book in a series, there was no resolution at all. The book just ended.
But as other reviewers reminded me, the book was not written for me. If I were in third grade, I would probably be drawn in by Mike’s story and find him relatable. I would be excited to try the magic tricks and maybe be interested in trying more. For that reason I raised my two stars to three.
But as other reviewers reminded me, the book was not written for me. If I were in third grade, I would probably be drawn in by Mike’s story and find him relatable. I would be excited to try the magic tricks and maybe be interested in trying more. For that reason I raised my two stars to three.
Read
March 5, 2024Okay, that’s it. I’m vettin these books before I stop dropping quarters at the library. It’s amazing what you can convince yourself of. Like that time of night, say 3 a.m. where you’re browsing Youtube and certain thumbnails or video titles pull you in. Before you know it you’re watching some serious funk and debating whether it’s worth it to try and salvage some sleep or stick it to the man while wasting the night, which has turned to morning, away. Darn you wasted youth. Darn you I say!
That has nothing to do with this book. You can learn a few, simple magic tricks in here. That's cool, I guess. It's also a book with a story. That's cool too I guess.
That has nothing to do with this book. You can learn a few, simple magic tricks in here. That's cool, I guess. It's also a book with a story. That's cool too I guess.
August 27, 2017
Teachers always send Mike to the principal because he can’t sit still or focus on work. He needs to be moving and, when he’s not, he gets upset. His parents have been working with him on coping strategies, but they don’t seem to work. The fresh start he’d hoped for in fourth grade seems to be gone. Read the rest of the review on my blog: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress....
September 30, 2017
I read this book as it is a state award for the Maud Hart Lovelace award. It is a cute, quick read about a boy who is not very successful at school due to inattentive issues, but finds his niche with magic. I think it will be a popular series with my beginning chapter book readers especially since there are directions for magic tricks included. Not as strong as some of the other contenders in my opinion, but a fun book nonetheless.
March 27, 2018
This book is another Sunshine State Young Readers Award book this year. It is the first in a series of magic themed chapter books. The main characters, Mike & Nora, are very relatable to young readers. The book is written well with lots of mystery (even the ending). Readers will also enjoy how the authors explain some of the magic tricks in detail on informational pages throughout the book. Good read to get early chapter book readers hooked on a series.
March 23, 2022
A super fun series. I read the first book to my students and they love it. I always make copies of the magic tricks which makes them super excited to try at home.
Additionally the main character is in fourth grade , struggles with ADHD, and often gets in trouble regardless of what happens. Many students relate to Mike :).
Highly recommend d for the classroom or elementary school kids. Lots of great illustrations as well :)
Additionally the main character is in fourth grade , struggles with ADHD, and often gets in trouble regardless of what happens. Many students relate to Mike :).
Highly recommend d for the classroom or elementary school kids. Lots of great illustrations as well :)
August 4, 2022
The magic tricks are neat to learn and well-explained but I found the writing to be stilted. The fact that the main character, Mike, has trouble in school may be relatable for some readers but I feel like the author was beating me over the head with that fact.
It’s not clear why the book is titled The Vanishing Coin when that’s just one of the tricks. And the whole book seems like a giant set-up for the series, especially with an ad for each sequel at the end of the story.
It’s not clear why the book is titled The Vanishing Coin when that’s just one of the tricks. And the whole book seems like a giant set-up for the series, especially with an ad for each sequel at the end of the story.
September 14, 2017
Simple and sweet. The inclusion of the magic trick instructions were a nice touch, and it's nice to see an atypical thinker who is simply good at different ways of processing. I felt it could have developed more, but a) it's a series, so there's time, and b) the intended audience is expected to have a shorter attention span for books. Recommended.
March 5, 2019
This book was the ISD 742 One District One Book. Although I love most books that involve magic, this book left me wanting a little more. It's a very simple plot and doesn't contain much meat to the storyline. This book probably didn't stack up because I read Magic Misfits just a few months ago, and that juvenile series is amazing!
September 22, 2017
Mike's been struggling with school-he has a hard time paying attention and sitting still. There's a bully and Mike is an easy target but Mike ends up in a magic store one afternoon and finds his life has changed!
November 22, 2017
I read this in case my Ss ask me about the MHL book nominees and I enjoyed it. It was nice to read about boy who finds something he connects with and making friends with someone quite different than himself.
December 30, 2018
This one has been on my to-read list for awhile. Now I wanted to compare to another magic book series just starting. The Vanishing Coin lacked plot and mystery. I do think a lot of kids will be able to relate to Mike and his trouble in school.
March 7, 2022
This was a fun read with my first grader! He loved that there were magic tricks to learn included in the storyline! Very interactive! We watched the magic episode the the Jeff Goldblum show while were reading it and it was a fun tie in!
May 6, 2017
This was very cute and good for lower readers... I think kids will really enjoy the tricks. 3.0-4.0
June 3, 2017
Great book for middle aged readers and those new to chapter books. While not particularly higher level in terms of thinking, kids will love the easy to master magic tricks inside.
June 27, 2017
Found it very boring. I can see where reluctant readers would enjoy this. I would suggest for those boys that aren't into reading.
July 10, 2017
A good book for 3rd or 4th graders who may struggle in school. A boy builds self-esteem by learning magic.
September 2, 2017
AWESOME
I had to read this for school, and I loved it so much, I read it in a day and a half
I had to read this for school, and I loved it so much, I read it in a day and a half
Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews