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Sister Magic #1
The Trouble With Violet
Bestselling Amazing Days of Abby Hayes author Anne Mazer reaches out to younger readers with this magical take on sibling rivalry.
8-year-old Mabel likes her room to be neat, her day to be planned, and her life to be organized. If only she could organize her younger sister! 5-year-old Violet is messy and out of control. Just before Violet starts kindergarten, a surprise visit from mysterious Uncle Vartan exposes a big secret; there's magic in their family. Mable is sure she'll know just how to use her powers. After all, she's used to being mature and responsible. But her orderly world begins to fall apart when she learns she's not the one with magic -- it's adorable, annoying Violet. Life will never be the same!
8-year-old Mabel likes her room to be neat, her day to be planned, and her life to be organized. If only she could organize her younger sister! 5-year-old Violet is messy and out of control. Just before Violet starts kindergarten, a surprise visit from mysterious Uncle Vartan exposes a big secret; there's magic in their family. Mable is sure she'll know just how to use her powers. After all, she's used to being mature and responsible. But her orderly world begins to fall apart when she learns she's not the one with magic -- it's adorable, annoying Violet. Life will never be the same!
112 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Anne Mazer
73 books102 followersQuite a lot of Anne Mazer’s writing education took place while she was unconscious. Her parents wanted desperately to become writers and made themselves get up at 4:00 a.m. Every morning in order to have writing time before their three young children awoke. The first thing Anne heard every day was two big, noisy electric typewriters. The furious sound of typing was her childhood wake-up music. During the day, her parents endlessly discussed ideas, plot, and character, and before she was seven years old, Anne knew about revisions, first and second drafts, and rejection slips. It was like growing up in a twenty four hour, seven day a week writer’s boot camp.
In order to escape from her parents’ obsession with writing, Anne turned to books. She was an avid reader from an early age and credits her love of reading for her writing career. Her favorite works were fantasy, fairy tales, historical fiction, humor, realistic fiction, and adventure. Her other interests were language, art, history, and science. At the age of twelve, she wanted to be an actress, a ballerina and a nuclear physicist. These careers were rapidly eliminated as she realized that a) she couldn’t dance, b) she couldn’t act; and c) she hated math.
Although at the time Anne thought writing was nothing but a nuisance, she now considers herself very lucky to have grown up with two aspiring writers. She learned a lot about discipline, perseverance and dedication to a craft from witnessing her parents’ struggle. They eventually became successful and award-winning young adult novelists.
It took Anne a long time to figure out that she, too, wanted to be a writer. During early adulthood, she worked as an au pair, a bank teller, a pill bottle labeler, a receptionist, an English tutor, and an administrative assistant, as well as other jobs that she was ill-suited for. She attended three universities, spent several years in Paris, traveled throughout Europe, and worked in Boston and New York City.
Anne’s “eureka” moment about writing came while she prepared a research report for one of her bosses. As she lovingly polished each sentence, and meticulously organized the paragraphs, she realized that no one really cared how beautifully she wrote about the latest models of air-conditioners. Except her, of course.
Using her parents’ model of daily writing and discipline, she began to write. It took her seven years to publish her first book, a picture book inspired by her then two year old son, Max.
Anne is the mother of an adult son and daughter. Over the last twenty years, she has written over forty-five books for young readers. She has enough ideas to last for another quarter century and hopes that she will be writing for a very long time.
Fun Facts About Anne Mazer
Her favorite foods are popcorn, rice pudding and blueberries.
When she was a kid, she would sometimes read up to ten books a day.
If she had magic powers, she'd choose invisibility.
She painted the rooms in her house yellow, orange, and violet.
One of her favorite childhood books was The Twilight of Magic, by Hugh Lofting.
When Anne was a teenager, her room was so messy that she needed a map to get from the door to the bed. (sort of)
In school Anne often flunked her favorite creative subjects, like writing and art.
In order to escape from her parents’ obsession with writing, Anne turned to books. She was an avid reader from an early age and credits her love of reading for her writing career. Her favorite works were fantasy, fairy tales, historical fiction, humor, realistic fiction, and adventure. Her other interests were language, art, history, and science. At the age of twelve, she wanted to be an actress, a ballerina and a nuclear physicist. These careers were rapidly eliminated as she realized that a) she couldn’t dance, b) she couldn’t act; and c) she hated math.
Although at the time Anne thought writing was nothing but a nuisance, she now considers herself very lucky to have grown up with two aspiring writers. She learned a lot about discipline, perseverance and dedication to a craft from witnessing her parents’ struggle. They eventually became successful and award-winning young adult novelists.
It took Anne a long time to figure out that she, too, wanted to be a writer. During early adulthood, she worked as an au pair, a bank teller, a pill bottle labeler, a receptionist, an English tutor, and an administrative assistant, as well as other jobs that she was ill-suited for. She attended three universities, spent several years in Paris, traveled throughout Europe, and worked in Boston and New York City.
Anne’s “eureka” moment about writing came while she prepared a research report for one of her bosses. As she lovingly polished each sentence, and meticulously organized the paragraphs, she realized that no one really cared how beautifully she wrote about the latest models of air-conditioners. Except her, of course.
Using her parents’ model of daily writing and discipline, she began to write. It took her seven years to publish her first book, a picture book inspired by her then two year old son, Max.
Anne is the mother of an adult son and daughter. Over the last twenty years, she has written over forty-five books for young readers. She has enough ideas to last for another quarter century and hopes that she will be writing for a very long time.
Fun Facts About Anne Mazer
Her favorite foods are popcorn, rice pudding and blueberries.
When she was a kid, she would sometimes read up to ten books a day.
If she had magic powers, she'd choose invisibility.
She painted the rooms in her house yellow, orange, and violet.
One of her favorite childhood books was The Twilight of Magic, by Hugh Lofting.
When Anne was a teenager, her room was so messy that she needed a map to get from the door to the bed. (sort of)
In school Anne often flunked her favorite creative subjects, like writing and art.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 21, 2017
I've never made an actual book review before, so I'm sorry if my review sounds a bit amateurish. With that being said...
I remembered seeing this book in a book fair catalog back when I was in elementary school. I didn't think much of it at the time, until, about ten years later, when I was reminiscing about those book fairs I used to enjoy. I enjoy writing stories in my free time, and I'm currently working on a concept for a TV show; when I read about this book online, I thought it sounded like a story I would write. Wanting some inspiration for my TV show idea, I decided to check the book out at my local library.
"The Trouble with Violet" is the first book in Anne Mazer's "Sister Magic" series. The book revolves around two sisters: eight year-old Mabel and her five year-old little sister, Violet. Mabel is organized, calm, cool, and collected, but Violet is the antithesis of her big sister: messy, unorganized, slobbish, not to mention her tacky sense of style. One day, their mysterious uncle Vartan sends the girls a book of fairy tales, and Mabel notices mysterious things that start to happen afterward: things like how an "s" in the book hissed at Violet or how Mabel's shoelaces untying themselves. Mabel starts to think she's going crazy.
When uncle Vartan comes to visit, Mabel notices that even more weird things start to happen. When she asks her mother about the weird goings-on, she reluctantly reveals to her that magic runs in her family; when she was a kid, her then-baby brother Vartan's magic would always get her in trouble. Mabel is delighted to know about her family secret and thinks about all of the cool things she could do with her magic...only to find out that she has no magic. Instead, it's Violet who has the magic! "Oh, boy, was Mabel in trouble now."
I don't read books for younger children often, and this book is pretty short (95 pages), but I actually found myself enjoying this book a lot. I like the dynamic between Mabel and Violet, and I find it relatable. I also like the illustrator's drawing style. This book is a bit slow in development, though, so it might turn off some of the readers in its target audience. It also has a bit of an abrupt ending; since this is the first in a series of books, it'll leave you wanting to know what happens in the sequels. Other than that, I'd definitely recommend this book for younger readers who are starting to read chapter books. I really wish I read these books when I was younger.
I remembered seeing this book in a book fair catalog back when I was in elementary school. I didn't think much of it at the time, until, about ten years later, when I was reminiscing about those book fairs I used to enjoy. I enjoy writing stories in my free time, and I'm currently working on a concept for a TV show; when I read about this book online, I thought it sounded like a story I would write. Wanting some inspiration for my TV show idea, I decided to check the book out at my local library.
"The Trouble with Violet" is the first book in Anne Mazer's "Sister Magic" series. The book revolves around two sisters: eight year-old Mabel and her five year-old little sister, Violet. Mabel is organized, calm, cool, and collected, but Violet is the antithesis of her big sister: messy, unorganized, slobbish, not to mention her tacky sense of style. One day, their mysterious uncle Vartan sends the girls a book of fairy tales, and Mabel notices mysterious things that start to happen afterward: things like how an "s" in the book hissed at Violet or how Mabel's shoelaces untying themselves. Mabel starts to think she's going crazy.
When uncle Vartan comes to visit, Mabel notices that even more weird things start to happen. When she asks her mother about the weird goings-on, she reluctantly reveals to her that magic runs in her family; when she was a kid, her then-baby brother Vartan's magic would always get her in trouble. Mabel is delighted to know about her family secret and thinks about all of the cool things she could do with her magic...only to find out that she has no magic. Instead, it's Violet who has the magic! "Oh, boy, was Mabel in trouble now."
I don't read books for younger children often, and this book is pretty short (95 pages), but I actually found myself enjoying this book a lot. I like the dynamic between Mabel and Violet, and I find it relatable. I also like the illustrator's drawing style. This book is a bit slow in development, though, so it might turn off some of the readers in its target audience. It also has a bit of an abrupt ending; since this is the first in a series of books, it'll leave you wanting to know what happens in the sequels. Other than that, I'd definitely recommend this book for younger readers who are starting to read chapter books. I really wish I read these books when I was younger.
November 19, 2008
This was a fun book to read with my daughter. I've been trying to get her more interested in reading chapter books and this one had her trying to guess what would happen next and begging for more chapters. We are in the middle of the sequel now and it't just as fun. I think most of us can relate to having a sister that even though she annoys us, we still love her.
April 30, 2011
This is the first book in the Sister Magic series of books by Anne Mazer. We actually read the second book, Sister Magic: Violet Makes A Splash, first and we liked it so much that we decided to read the others in the series. This story begins the saga of a little girl with magical powers. It's a fun story and we enjoyed reading it together. We will certainly look for the third book next.
Read
October 27, 2009This book is about two sister named Mabel and violet.Mabel is the neat and tidy.Violet is the messy and messier.One day when Mabel was it work her friend came to play with Mable but she wasn't there so her friend took violet to the park.When Mable got home she found her mom in the hallway then she aksed what was she looking for.My wallet so they looked and looked.Violet came in the hallway with the wallet.There mom asked her where did she find it in the freezer.Mable felt like her mom loveed violet more.
July 24, 2017
Cute little chapter book series about two sisters; Mabel and Violet who are like night and day. Mabel is the older, highly organized, responsible sister. Violet the younger sister is a mess; she's a free spirit with no sense of fashion. What happens when there Uncle Vartan shows up and Mabel learns that magic runs in her mother's family? Is it possible that she, Violet or both of them have inherited the gene?
Part of the Sister Magic series; fans of Heidi Heckelbeck and Katie Kazoo will like this one.
Part of the Sister Magic series; fans of Heidi Heckelbeck and Katie Kazoo will like this one.
May 2, 2011
I loved this book. Mostly because I am Violet, well minus the magic. From my mess, my bright colored room down to my tangerine tennis shoes. (Although mine happen to be boots.) My sister is Mabel. Organized, clean and classic - minus the self-absorption. Shella has to be the sweetest human being on this planet and will have a get in free pass to Heaven just because she put up with me as her sister. While kids books don't usually do it for me, I adored this one :-)
October 26, 2015
My favorite part of the book was at the end of the book it was when Mabel,Violet,and Uncle Vartan were playing Frisbee and Violet yelled CATCH THIS MABEL and she threw the Frisbee as hard as she could it wobbled for a second and then flew straight toward a glass window and Mabel ran toward the Frisbee and yelled STOP! the Frisbee came to a full stop,changed direction,and flew toward Mabel.Mabel could not believe it. I like this part of the story because it was exiting,and surprising.
February 11, 2010
This is a book about a girl who has a little messy sister. They get a present from their uncle.They have never met him, but he sends them lots of presents. It is a beautiful white book of fariy tales. What will happen to it? Will they meet their uncle.
October 15, 2007
Would recommend this book to all 6-8 year old little girls - cute book (and finally something different than all the Junie B knock-offs)
February 20, 2008
a cute, little kid's book
Read
April 30, 2008i love the book it is VERY fun to read
October 14, 2008
I read this becasue i kenw i would enjoy it. I first read the 2nd and then the 1st but who cares?
July 16, 2009
it was dumb and cheesy
July 20, 2009
I read this book for fun, even though it is very short, only 95 pages, unfortunatly it was't that great, I loved the illustrations though.
December 16, 2009
I wish I was like Violet and had magic. This book was really fun and I can't wait to read more of them.
March 17, 2010
good but not the dest book ive ever read
August 3, 2010
I hated this book because at the end it left me hanging.
December 16, 2010
good kids book i loved it whene i read it.
Want to read
February 26, 2011awesome & nothing else
May 16, 2011
sister magic is kind of entertaining and weird its because violets sister finds out that her family is magical
December 4, 2011
A good book, not what I expected...
April 8, 2012
(freebee)
April 9, 2012
really young when I read this book. :/
June 17, 2012
Mabel is organized and responsible, but her little sister, Violet, is a free-spirited mess. A family secret hides even more surprises for Mabel and Violet.
August 20, 2012
Amazing book
November 21, 2012
Haha I used to love this book! Now my sister is reading it... Ahhh good memories
February 6, 2014
This is a book for early readers. Yet, I found it to be a well-written and enjoyable to read. It reminds me somewhat of the Edward Eager series of magical adventures that I greatly appreciate.
Read
September 27, 2021I'm not keeping up on all the books Lucy reads like I planned to, but this one was fun. I would certainly read more.
January 19, 2016
Perfect for grades 2-3.
January 26, 2017
Great book for young readers!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews