Charlie Bone and the Time Twister
(Children of the Red King, Book Two)
by Jenny Nimmo

In his second term at Bloor’s Academy, Charlie continues to develop his gift for finding trouble (and leading other kids – even older ones – into it as well). He also, by the way, develops his gift for talking with people in pictures. Unlike Harry Potter’s world, being able to chat with people in paintings isn’t a common magical gift! And unlike Hogwarts, Bloor’s isn’t a warm, safe place where a child can foil a Dark Lord in between lessons and games. This is a school whose grounds contain dangerous ruins; run by wicked people who could do serious harm to Charlie and his friends; with a head boy of incredible nastiness; a 100-year-old dark sorcerer scheming in a tower room; an eight-year-old albino spy; and really a small number of magical children in proportion to the student body – and roughly half of them are evil!

Even though Charlie gets to spend weekends at home, this is small comfort when his mother and grandma are terrorized by his other grandma and her three vile sisters. Home isn’t any safer than school, when his own family seems to have played a role in his father’s disappearance (and supposed death) years ago. And now a great-great-uncle, who disappeared in 1916 when he was Charlie’s age, materializes (still Charlie’s age) in the middle of Bloor’s Academy, and Charlie has to protect him from the Bloors and from his own aunts. Will a boy who can talk to paintings be able to save his time-traveling relative, even with the aid of Cook and a handful of endowed and unendowed friends? Will Charlie have to make a dark bargain with an ancient sorcerer to save Henry? Will an uncle who never goes out in daylight, a man who runs a café for pets, three strange magical cats, and a best friend and his dog (neither of whom goes to Bloors) be able to help?

Hey, I’m not answering. You’re on your own on this one. But judging by the many letters I have received praising the Charlie Bone books, you won’t really be alone. It’s not hard to see why they are so popular. The book is solidly built and feels good in the hands; it is printed in a way that reduces eye-strain; and it is written in a transparently clear style that sweeps you into the middle of the story before you have time to wonder what’s going on. And I mustn’t forget to add that it’s a pretty neat story, set in an unusual modern-magic world you will want to visit many more times.

Robbie Fischer
USA

Recommended Age: 10+

9/2/05

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