MITCHCRAFT VACATION MAGIC SCHOOL

A seventh grader runs into unexpected trouble at a magic-training summer camp in Freivald’s middle-grade fantasy novel.

Mitch Hayes is worried about his impending finals. He’s confident he can knock out the written portion, but the practicum, in which he’ll have to demonstrate his magic, is where things could go wrong. His town of East Bend is famous for its Magical Studies Department; it’s not really a place for non-magical “normals,” which is exactly what Mitch will be designated as if his magic isn’t strong enough to pass the exams and put him on the Wizard Track. Luckily, summer vacation will give him one last shot at proving himself at Vacation Magic School. Things don’t look promising after Mitch learns that one of his fellow campers during what’s essentially a two-week crash course is merciless bully Ted Flynn. That may not be his biggest problem—various campers who disappear aren’t exactly the same when they return, making some of the kids understandably nervous. Can Mitch and Ted work together to discover what’s happening before it’s too late? Freivald’s short novel isn’t as upbeat as a brief summary might make it sound. Ted’s bullying is vicious, and Mitch’s parents and older sister aren’t always sympathetic. (Mitch does have supportive pals, including schoolmates Bill and Shawna.) Once Mitch and Ted reach Vacation Magic School, the author sets a gleefully grim tone. Whether something genuinely sinister is happening at the camp is initially unclear, but the mere possibility steadily elevates the suspense. One highlight is the recurring electronic bugle call that awakens campers every morning and grows more ominous as the days pass: “Mitch woke with a gasp and rolled out of bed, hands over his ears, jaw clenched tight until the music died.” The narrative culminates in an exhilarating final act and a superb payoff. The novel seems primed for a series, and readers will happily welcome Mitch back, whether he’s a wizard or a normal.

An indelible young hero leads this fun, creepy urban fantasy.