Magical Kids: The Invisible Boy and The Strongest Girl in the World

Magical Children

by Sally Gardner

Josie Jenkins, aged eight and three-quarters, is good at tricks. She can balance a pencil on the end of her finger and pick her nose without anyone seeing. But she amazes everyone—even herself—with her best trick yet: Josie can lift a table, a car, and even a bus with no effort at all! Hold on, though. Could this would-be blessing turn out to be an even greater curse?

Then there’s Sam—poor Sam! When his parents take off for a trip to the moon, Sam is imprisoned by the wicked Hilda Hardbottom. He must find a way to escape, but how? Could his salvation come in the form of a small, splotchy alien? Maybe—if that alien has the power of invisibility, and the inclination to share!

In these two delightfully silly stories of extreme magic, enticingly packaged in a flip-book format, resourceful kids rely on their sense and savvy to save the day.

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2007

About the author

AKA Wray Delaney

Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.

After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.

Reviews

[Ellie]

good funny interesting and cool i can`t belivie his parents went to the moon.

[Tracy]

It was very brief and had a lot of plot holes, but it entertained my 10 year old.

[Clariz Dela Cruz]

As a kid I was fond of reading books with graphics on it. My school had book fairs and I always ask my mom for extra money so I can buy myself a book. I read this book when I was in the 3rd grade and I still remember the story. It's one of my early childhood books and I still have it on my shelves. :)

[Melissa]

This was easy for Marie to help read, with short chapters, but after "The Strongest Girl," "The Invisible Boy" seemed too formulaic and a little sloppy. Do they think kids won't notice? Reading books like this makes me think I should probably start writing fiction for children.

[Turknoys Demirkol]

Josie could do lots of tricks and the most amazing trick was that she was as strong as the strongest man in the world. She got famous for her strength. But deep in her heart she only wanted to be with her family.

Hope you like this.

BY A 7 YEAR OLD: KYLIE

[Kelly]

The Strongest Girl was ok, but the Invisible Boy was not. The language of the woman was terrible. Our family doesn't care for books with terribly mean characters, even if they got her in the end. Wouldn't recommend for an 8 year old.

[Nawal NK]

I've enjoyed reading " the strongest girl in the world ". It was funny and silly, made me laugh out loud a few times.
"The invisible boy" was pretty much boring and was suffering through it hoping it might get better, but it doesn't.

[Melanie]

I just got it because it was 2 books in 1 =D

[Kari]

Kyla and I read this one together...liked side one - but the boy side lost us...

[Zoe]

I loved it. I can't wait to read the next one. If you have read revwes(spoiler) that say its bad there wrong.

[The Brothers]

Asher (7yo) read.

[Dana]

4 Stars for The Strongest Girl in the World
2 Stars for The Invisible Boy