Magic on the Map #2: The Show Must Go On

Magic on the Map #2

by Courtney Sheinmel, Bianca Turetsky

After returning home from a cattle drive in the rolling fields of Colorado, twins Spencer and Maggie Parker think they must have been dreaming. The camper that showed up in their driveway on the last day of second grade couldn't possibly be magic. There's no way a camper can transport them to every state in the continental US... or is there?

Needing to know if it was all in their head, the twins sneak out to test the camper's abilities, and end up in the middle of Times Square in New York City! There they run into super-star Hallie Hampton, who needs their help on a scavenger hunt around the city. If the twins can help Hallie complete the hunt before curtain call, she'll give them two tickets to her debut on Broadway. But the hunt might not be the only thing the twins need to do to help Hallie and find their way home again.

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Travel, Adventure

128 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2019

About the author

Born in California. Raised in New York. Went to law school, now write full time. Love: long walks, fresh notebooks, the smell of brownies, pomegranate seeds. Don't love: yogurt, spam (the email kind, and the food kind), deep water, deserted city streets.

Newest book: THE SECRETS OF LOVELACE ACADEMY, co-written with Marie Benedict, available on April 22, 2025.

I love to hear from readers! Email me! Ask a question! I promise to reply.

Reviews

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

The twins Molly and Finn are back and this time they are taken to New York City by the magical camper. Each time they are whisked away, they have some work to do.

This time they have a scavenger hunt that they do on behalf of kids star Hallie Hampton. They race from one clue to another and have an adventure after adventure and get to live some of their dreams.

This was a good follow up on the first book but I still have a of of questions about the magic camper.

Rounding up to 4 stars.

[Bveselsky · Rating 2 out of 5]

(March selection for the 7-10yo book club I run). As a native of the NYC metro area, I'll admit that I had high hopes for this book, but it disappointed--I didn't like this one nearly as much as the first. I thought Hallie's character was pretty terrible, and was surprised to see how much Finn & Molly did her dirty work, even with all her attitude. Ick.

[Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

We enjoyed the travels around NYC, however the book has some bad messages and I cannot recommend it. People who are on TV are just people with a job that makes them more well known than the average person. They are not special and children should be taught that, not to idolize celebrities or think they are better. Hallie Hampton acts like a jerk and should not be given a friendship bracelet. The limo driver is the one who deserves it and should be thanked.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twins Molly and Finn have a magical camper that takes them across the country in seconds. I’m this second mystery, the pit of 8 year olds are in NYC, working on a scavenger hunt for a favorite celebrity.

Not the easiest of chapters, but still basic enough. Good for kids who like adventures!

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

More entertaining than the first for me...will see what kids think tomorrow in the classroom

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this one with my 7yo. Exciting and creative, it’s a fun, imaginative little read.

[Whitney W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute for my 6 year old. Personally liked this one more than the first.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read to my 7 year old. I appreciated this largely being set somewhere we've been. My 7 year old appreciated that less since he was a baby on that trip. But he likes this series.

[Gould Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a made up famous person that I don’t really know if it’s real. I like the part when they are doing the scavenger hunt. 👍🏼❤️

[Shoshanah · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’re both a big fan of these books! In the in second of the series, the twins, Molly and Finn, travel in their magic camper to New York City. They run into Hallie Hampton, who invites them to join her scavenger hunt. We alternate reading chapters depending on who puts her to sleep, and she was so excited to tell me Hallie Hampton showed up that I had to do a double-take if she was a real person. (Spoiler, she’s not. Just a star in these books.)

The scavenger hunt part is fun, it feels a bit like a kid version of The Amazing Race. Through following clues they travel through big sites including The World Trade Center Memorial and Yankee Stadium. By the end, they wind up with an unexpected friend.

So far we’ve been having fun with these. The next two take place in Texas and California, which I’m excited about. Although I’m curious to see how the book works in some smaller states too.

4.5/5

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second in this series. This time the twins visit New York City and meet Maggie's television idol. She isn't very nice and sends them on a Scavenger Hunt for her personal gain. Readers go on a journey to see some of the main NYC sites as they Finn and Maggie search for clues. They don't win because her idol is not with them but they do have some incredible adventures.
A little bit unrealistic as the television/Broadway actress does a complete change in character as she thanks them and offers an excuse for why she was so nasty before the play debut.
Looking forward to seeing where the series goes next.