Sound familiar? Well, in this story, the similarity to Harry Potter does not go much further. The orphan’s name is Measle Stubbs, and his guardian is a frightful creature named Basil Tramplebone, who is the worst of three grades of sorcerer (there are good wizards, sometimes-good-but-sometimes-bad warlocks, and insanely wicked Wrathmonks—like Basil). Basil seems to be living off the money in Measle’s trust fund, and one day he decides he doesn’t need Measle anymore, so he shrinks him down to a half-inch tall and sends him to live in the huge model railway town in the attic.

It would seem to be the end of Measle...but he turns out to be luckier, braver, and cleverer than anyone thought, especially Basil. Soon he has rescued some of BasilÂ’s other victims and has hatched a daring plan to save seven tiny people and a tiny dog from a giant, man-eating bat and an enormous, evil cockroach.

This is a very charming and thrilling adventure, full of warmth, weirdness, and wry humor. Anyone who enjoyed Roald DahlÂ’s The Witches, E. NesbitÂ’s The Magic City, or the first Harry Potter book should enjoy this story too. The series continues with Measle and the Dragodon.

Robbie Fischer
USA

Recommended Age: 10+

7/8/2005

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