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Archie & The Invisible Emporium: A boy gets a job in a strange store that shouldn’t exist [a magical realism book for ages 8-12]
“Archie Sharp’s second visit to his grandfather’s house that summer was a lot less pleasant than the first. But we will get to the second visit later.”
When his parents abandon him at Grandpa’s house for the summer, curious Archie Sharp finds himself shockingly offline and alone with no one for company except a spiteful, unhappy old man and a strange tree that may or may not want to eat him. Disaster.
But Archie has other plans. He’s already found a secret key and the way to escape to the weird world of the Invisible Emporium – a place where time flows differently, magical beings come for supplies and the mysterious storekeeper Enoch is looking for a new assistant…
As Archie gets to know the characters, creatures and capers of the Otherworld, he starts to see that he has swapped one life-threatening situation for another. And someone who once loved the Emporium would now prefer to destroy it. Archie must join the mission to find Enoch’s previous assistant, save some dead souls and stop the Invisible Emporium crumbling to dust – and in the process make his Grandpa happy again.
Archie & The Invisible Emporium is part of the ‘Our Weird World’ series of surprising, suspenseful and strange stories for middle grade readers – children aged 8-12. You can read the series in any order. A kind of ‘Stranger Worlds’ for kids, these books mix real-world problems with paranormal themes and will appeal to fans of Harry Potter, Story Thieves, Keeper Of The Lost Cities and The Dark Is Rising, as well as authors like Ross Wexford, Ross Montgomery and Neil Gaiman.
“Enoch gave a low growl. ‘I’ve been robbed!’ he rasped. ‘And time is back!’ He almost spat the words out, unable to raise his voice above a loud whisper. ‘Time is back, and everything will go to ruin!’”
When his parents abandon him at Grandpa’s house for the summer, curious Archie Sharp finds himself shockingly offline and alone with no one for company except a spiteful, unhappy old man and a strange tree that may or may not want to eat him. Disaster.
But Archie has other plans. He’s already found a secret key and the way to escape to the weird world of the Invisible Emporium – a place where time flows differently, magical beings come for supplies and the mysterious storekeeper Enoch is looking for a new assistant…
As Archie gets to know the characters, creatures and capers of the Otherworld, he starts to see that he has swapped one life-threatening situation for another. And someone who once loved the Emporium would now prefer to destroy it. Archie must join the mission to find Enoch’s previous assistant, save some dead souls and stop the Invisible Emporium crumbling to dust – and in the process make his Grandpa happy again.
Archie & The Invisible Emporium is part of the ‘Our Weird World’ series of surprising, suspenseful and strange stories for middle grade readers – children aged 8-12. You can read the series in any order. A kind of ‘Stranger Worlds’ for kids, these books mix real-world problems with paranormal themes and will appeal to fans of Harry Potter, Story Thieves, Keeper Of The Lost Cities and The Dark Is Rising, as well as authors like Ross Wexford, Ross Montgomery and Neil Gaiman.
“Enoch gave a low growl. ‘I’ve been robbed!’ he rasped. ‘And time is back!’ He almost spat the words out, unable to raise his voice above a loud whisper. ‘Time is back, and everything will go to ruin!’”
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2024
75 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 5, 2026
Archie & The Invisible Emporium is a clever, imaginative middle-grade adventure that blends magical realism with emotional honesty and suspense. Douglas Caleb creates a world that feels both strange and grounded, where wonder and danger exist side by side and where a lonely, curious boy must learn how to navigate both.
Archie Sharp begins the summer abandoned at his grandfather’s house, cut off from technology, comfort, and affection. What follows is a sharp, engaging setup that quickly opens into something far more unusual: a hidden key, a dangerous tree, and the discovery of the Invisible Emporium a store that exists outside normal time and caters to magical beings in need of supplies.
The Emporium itself is a standout concept, filled with odd rules, mysterious characters, and the unsettling sense that something fragile is holding the whole place together. Enoch, the storekeeper, is particularly memorable strange, weary, and clearly burdened by secrets while Archie’s role as a reluctant assistant gives him agency without ever losing his vulnerability.
What makes this book especially effective is its balance. The story delivers humor, suspense, and imaginative world-building while also exploring real-world themes of abandonment, belonging, responsibility, and the desire to be seen. Archie’s relationship with his grandfather adds emotional weight, grounding the fantastical elements in something deeply human.
Fast-paced, inventive, and thoughtfully written, Archie & The Invisible Emporium will appeal to readers who enjoy magical worlds hidden just out of sight, along with stories where courage grows through curiosity and choice.
A strong entry in the Our Weird World series and a compelling read for fans of magical realism, strange shops, and quietly brave heroes.
Archie Sharp begins the summer abandoned at his grandfather’s house, cut off from technology, comfort, and affection. What follows is a sharp, engaging setup that quickly opens into something far more unusual: a hidden key, a dangerous tree, and the discovery of the Invisible Emporium a store that exists outside normal time and caters to magical beings in need of supplies.
The Emporium itself is a standout concept, filled with odd rules, mysterious characters, and the unsettling sense that something fragile is holding the whole place together. Enoch, the storekeeper, is particularly memorable strange, weary, and clearly burdened by secrets while Archie’s role as a reluctant assistant gives him agency without ever losing his vulnerability.
What makes this book especially effective is its balance. The story delivers humor, suspense, and imaginative world-building while also exploring real-world themes of abandonment, belonging, responsibility, and the desire to be seen. Archie’s relationship with his grandfather adds emotional weight, grounding the fantastical elements in something deeply human.
Fast-paced, inventive, and thoughtfully written, Archie & The Invisible Emporium will appeal to readers who enjoy magical worlds hidden just out of sight, along with stories where courage grows through curiosity and choice.
A strong entry in the Our Weird World series and a compelling read for fans of magical realism, strange shops, and quietly brave heroes.
June 4, 2024
I was privileged to read an advance copy of this book and what a joy it was!
The beautifully paced narrative takes the reader on a magical journey of discovery, with the young protagonist being introduced to gnomes, ghostly vicars and the wonderfully mischievous Spring-Heeled Jack, amongst many others.
This novel successfully (and brilliantly!) combines the mystique and adventure of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe with the magical wonder of the first Harry Potter book. I was compelled from the first page to the last…and I’m not exactly in the intended age group…I might even suggest changing the age range to 8-120!
Although it is meant for ages 8-12, the author never talks down to the reader, but engages and guides them through a packed story with skill and care. The characters are well-constructed and likeable, with plenty of delightful quirkiness to keep the reader amused.
Suffice to say, I’m looking forward to reading the other books in the series. I would love a sequel to this one, though. Archie has unfinished business in the Emporium…
Or is a sequel ‘implausible’? 😉
The beautifully paced narrative takes the reader on a magical journey of discovery, with the young protagonist being introduced to gnomes, ghostly vicars and the wonderfully mischievous Spring-Heeled Jack, amongst many others.
This novel successfully (and brilliantly!) combines the mystique and adventure of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe with the magical wonder of the first Harry Potter book. I was compelled from the first page to the last…and I’m not exactly in the intended age group…I might even suggest changing the age range to 8-120!
Although it is meant for ages 8-12, the author never talks down to the reader, but engages and guides them through a packed story with skill and care. The characters are well-constructed and likeable, with plenty of delightful quirkiness to keep the reader amused.
Suffice to say, I’m looking forward to reading the other books in the series. I would love a sequel to this one, though. Archie has unfinished business in the Emporium…
Or is a sequel ‘implausible’? 😉
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews