California Demon

by Marilyn Singer

When Rosie accidentally releases an imp from a bottle in her mother's magic shop, he ends up in California where he causes great havoc until Rosie convinces her mother to teach her witchcraft so that she can help recapture him.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Marilyn Singer was born in the Bronx (New York City) on October 3, 1948 and lived most of her early life in N. Massapequa (Long Island), NY. She attended Queens College, City University of New York, and for her junior year, Reading University, England. She holds a B.A. in English from Queens and an M.A. in Communications from New York University.

In 1974, after teaching English in New York City high schools for several years, she began to write - initially film notes, catalogues, teacher's guides and film strips. Then, one day, when she was sitting in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, she penned a story featuring talking insect characters she'd made up when she was eight. Encouraged by the responses she got, she wrote more stories and in 1976 her first book, The Dog Who Insisted He Wasn't, was published by E.P.Dutton & Co.

Since then, Marilyn has published over seventy books for children and young adults. Her genres are many and varied, including realistic novels, fantasies, non-fiction, fairy tales, picture books, mysteries and poetry. She likes writing many different kinds of books because it's challenging and it keeps her from getting bored. She has won several Children's Choice and Parents' Choice Awards, as well as the following: the Creature Carnival, Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, 2005; I Believe in Water: Twelve Brushes with Religion, New York Public Library's "Best Books for the Teen Age," 2001; Stay True: Short Stories for Strong Girls, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2000 (YALSA); On the Same Day in March, Booklist's Top Ten Science Books of 2000; NCSS-CBC Notable Book, 2000; Deal with a Ghost, finalist, YA category, Edgar Award, 1998; It Can't Hurt Forever, Maud Hart Lovelace Award, 1983; The Course of True Love Never Did Run Smooth, ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 1983; Turtle in July, NCTE Notable, N.Y.Times Best Illustrated and Time Magazine Best Children's Books of 1989; Turtle in July was also a Reading Rainbow review book.

Marilyn currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband Steve; their standard poodle Oggi, a cousin of their beloved and recently departed poodle Easy, seen in the home page photo; a cat named August ; two collared doves named Jubilee and Holiday; and a starling named Darling. Her interests include dog training, reading, hiking, bird-watching, gardening, meditation, playing computer adventure games and going to the movies and the theatre. She's also a major Star Trek fan.

Reviews

[Cathy Keller · Rating 4 out of 5]

California Demon by Marilyn Singer is the story of two witches, Lydia, the mother and Rosie, her daughter. One day while Lydia wasn’t home, Rosie released an evil imp who has been in his bottle since 1928--sixty years. The imp promptly tied up Rosie and left her in the basement. He then went upstairs to the shop and began creating havoc. His first prank was on Adam Pauling, a customer.
This is a cute adventure/mystery story for late elementary children. Each of the adventures of this imp have a direct impact on Rosie and Lydia Rivera, owner of magic shop, and the Pauling family, Danny, Laura, and their parents. These adventures illustrated what happens when one is only thinking of himself/herself. Cute way to teach this lesson. The adventures/situations are ones that all young children could relate to such as moving away from friends and family, parents splitting-up, a parent dating someone else, the need to have a “special someone” like you, etc. This story could help children going through similar situations. They could really relate to the situations in which Rosie, Danny, and Laura found themselves.
My favorite part was the ending when the father, Adam Pauling, came to rescue his family from the imp. On page 128 Mr. Pauling shows his concern for the children. “Shh,” Adam shushed her. He didn’t want to draw any more of the imp’s attention to himself or to his children, if he could help it.” Although he was still concerned about himself, he showed a desire to truly protect the children which he previously hadn’t demonstrated. Later when the imp attach Danny, Mr Pauling took control -- “Leave him alone!” Adam yelled. This began the really communication process between the children and their father. Great story showing what good communication can do!
I would definitely recommend this story be in every elementary school library. What a great teaching tool California Demon could be!

[Mohammad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is, yet again another one of those science fiction fantasy book. It deals with a demon that like to play tricks on kids. It would be best suited for people around the ages of nine to maybe twelve. This book was indeed interesting.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh, maybe if i liked buffy the vampire slayer this would have been more for me.

[Arlene Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this urban fantasy for teens. Years ahead of its time.