Mabel on the Move

Two sisters, more different than alike, find that they are different for a very special reason. Mabel, the oldest sister, is eight years old, very organized, neat, and tidy. She coordinates her clothes, her toys, her room, and her play activities. Violet, her five-year-old sister, is as messy as Mabel is neat. Her clothes clash, the vibrant mixed colors of her bedroom hurt Mabel's sensible eyes, but Mabel manages to read a new fairy tale book to her sister that was sent by Uncle Vartan. As Mabel reads the story, Violet sees things move on the page or speak to her. From then on strange things happen to Mabel every time Violet is around. Mabel never guesses why until Uncle Vartan shows up unexpectedly. His pranks and tricks, so easily mastered by Violet, lead Mabel to discover why her sister is different, and it is not what Mabel expected. This is a humorous chapter book, easy to read and full of fun. -- Children's LiteratureLiving with a little sister is never easy, especially if you are organized and responsible while your sister sports tangerine high-tops and a head full of jam. Mabel, the utterly tidy sister, generally tolerates Violet, but life gets harder after mysterious Uncle Vartan sends them a book of fairy tales. Soon after, strange things happen: shoelaces spontaneously untie, and their mother's wallet materializes in the freezer. Mabel's sleuthing unearths a family secret that heightens the sisters' tension, and what begins as a straightforward sibling story morphs into a tale with magical elements. While both sisters are broadly drawn, the story is fun and the embarrassment Mabel feels over Violet's behavior rings true. Short chapters and a mix of full-page and embedded black-and-white illustrations make the text accessible for children reading beginning chapter books. The first of a planned series, this will appeal to readers looking for a magical Judy Moody. Harold, Suzanne -- BOOKLIST