Callie is still angry at her dad for moving them both to Northern Ireland from London. She feels she has left everyone she knows and
loved behind in the city she was born in – including her best friend Mia and memories of her mum.
Five weeks later and she is still sulking in her bedroom, unable to shift the anger from her heart and words, even though her father is trying his best. She knows she is being unreasonable but cannot lift her intense homesickness. One night, something very strange happens as she is gazing out at the dark.
A house lands in her back yard. Upside down.
She can’t believe her eyes and also catches a glimpse of a woman in the house doorway. A moment later the house and the woman, vanish. The only person she can tell is the boy next door who is also still awake when he should be fast asleep. He tells her to believe her own eyes, even if it seems impossible, and he is soon proven right.
A strange note arrives from the owner of the house. The woman is a magician in a very tricky situation. Her house is upside down because the special magic that looks after it has run off – leaving her in terrible danger. If the wanderdust magic doesn’t return, her home will be found and taken apart for its magic by all manner of magical creatures.
Callie can’t believe her ears either. Fairies, Pixies and Giants? Will they really steal the magician’s house?
When Callie learns that she is the reason the wanderdust left, she knows she must find her old self and save The Magician Next Door.
Beginning with a very homesick nearly 10 year old girl, and finishing with a battle of giants, fairies and run-away magic, this wee gem of a story was very entertaining.
Illustrated throughout and full of magical wonders, The Magician Next Door has everything. A main character to feel for, a brave and kind new friend, a magical new neighbour in need and a cause to bring out the courage in all to save a life.
The ending leaves a promise of more in a series where a girl, a boy and a sometimes cranky magician could have more adventures together.
Author – Rachel Chivers Khoo
Illustrator – Alice McKinley
Age – 7+
(2024, Walker Books, Magic, Family, Friendship, Courage, Love, Secret, Action, Adventure, Magician, Giant, Fairies, Danger, Homesick, Northern Island, New Home, Geologist Dad, Upside down House)