SHADOW MAGIC
From the Pocket Cats series, volume 2
by Kitty Wells & illustrated by Joanna Harrison
Maddy’s magical ceramic cats come to life, helping her and her cousin adjust to the many changes in their lives.
In the first book in this series, kitten Greykin helped Maddy solve a problem (Paw Power, 2011). While Maddy waits for the magic to happen again, she also waits for her cousin Chloe and her family to move to town. But when a grouchy and older-acting Chloe arrives, she is much more interested in her cellphone and earbuds than in seeing Maddy’s ceramic cats or newly painted room, just right for late-night gabfests and giggling. Turns out, Chloe is at a “funny age” and refuses to stay in Maddy’s room, avoiding her younger cousin, who soon realizes that homesickness is part of Chloe’s moodiness. This news brings Nibs, the second ceramic kitty, to life. Nibs senses that something bad is going to come of Chloe’s sadness and teaches Maddy how to use Shadow Magic to make herself invisible so she can figure out just what the danger is. Darting in and out of visibility, Maddy realizes Chloe’s dangerous plan to run away and works with Nibs to help Chloe change her mind. The concept of magic ceramic kitties is a winner, and chapter-book readers will recognize Maddy’s pain at Chloe’s transformation.