FINN AND THE PEN

In a sharp test of heart and conscience, a mistreated foster child finds a pen that grants any wish.

Lawrence pitches a third preteen protagonist into a crisis of conscience brought on by a magic fountain pen that makes whatever it draws or writes come true. Finnian is initially thrilled to discover that his new pen will bestow on him anything from a real credit card to bully-humbling basketball skills. Leaving behind four foster siblings as well as the Grimshaws, his villainous foster parents, Finn sets out to track down his birth parents. Life-changing revelations ensue—but it doesn’t take long for him to realize that for every benefit the pen brings him, it inflicts harm on someone else. The main question is: Will he, or can he, cast off the source of all that power? Lawrence again dishes up properly tidy just deserts all around. It’s always a treat to see bullies get proper comeuppance from their victims, and there’s deeper satisfaction in watching said victims work through their anger issues to make good, moral choices. The pen seems to be controlled by mysterious folk whom readers only glimpse; perhaps their purpose will come clear in a future series entry. Finn and his foster parents present white; names cue ethnic diversity in the supporting cast. This Australian import features sprightly double-page-spread illustrations.

An entertaining tale that poses a knotty dilemma and offers a pleasing resolution.