Real magic is all around me because I know where to look. ;)

I was already laughing at the TOC. 11ll! Oh, here's a thing I know, bakers get one more because that extra one is for the taste tester. Royalty couldn't have an uneven number.

This book was filled with secrets (and magic tricks) and a hidden thing or three... which made it an awesome and engaging read. I don't read a lot of middle-grade fiction, but this seems incredibly entertaining and encouraging for young people. I read the whole book because I wanted to know how it would turn out.

I especially enjoyed page 100 / Ch 8, where Theo tells Carter that he helped because others could not help themselves, and that was enough even though all he got out of it was knowing he did the right thing. I like that as a character motivation.

This has a similar voice to the Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler) "A Series of Unfortunate Events" series. (Which isn't a shock since NPH starred in the Netflix version based on those books.) It's also a bit similar to Harry Potter, though this is stage magic that anyone willing to practice with patience and perseverance can learn to do. Also, for those who don't like Dumbledore and Harry's relationship, this book would be more appealing because of Mr. Vernon (I can't elaborate, but the end lays it out).

Grilled cheese and radish sandwiches? That's new to me.

Has anyone ever cried so hard they laughed? Yes. That has happened to me. (My mind might have snapped a bit that day. I think that's called dark humor.) Just thought I'd weigh in on the question from page 171 / Ch 14.

I borrowed this book. I highly recommend getting a print copy because you won't fully enjoy it unless you can thumb back and forth. Which you will want to do. It's part comedy, somewhat realistic fiction (I'm not sure if a place like Mineral Wells exists, but I'd like to think it might), happily-ever-after, action-packed, inspirational (especially if you're an outsider or wannabe magician), meaningful, fun, entertaining, and informative (especially if you like to do tricks). NPH is an authority on the subject of magic, and he's an adoptive father of two. Plus it's a diverse book! A homeless kid, an adopted kid with gay dads, a kid in a wheelchair, people of color, plus carnies (who are villains, but still). The theme is about friendship and family ("non-traditional" perhaps).

There's also a life lesson about honesty and not stealing. I think it holds a sort of dusty and cracked mirror up to society, because here's a homeless kid but the book isn't about him being homeless, it's about him being a good person at all costs. I think that's really important, and something that society doesn't consider-- that a lack of birth parents doesn't make you a bad person. (Could someone shout that for the people in the back, please? Thanks!)

I'm a fan of NPH, so yes, I'll read more of his books. Plus, I already plan to read the next books in this series.

I learned a magic-math trick from this book. The cover and the inside art are top-notch. The title makes perfect sense by the end. Some people might be off-put early on when seeing how Carter's uncle mistreats him, and there might be difficult conversations about homelessness and foster homes/ orphanages. But I care about those topics, so I think that adds value to the book. It was relatable for me, and brought up some emotions from my youth. Leila reminds me of a friend I had years ago, someone who was easy to become friends with and wasn't overly judgemental.

Bosso's carnival and the magic shop were both settings that really came alive for me. My senses were engaged.

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