PG- The Girl with the Silver Eyes (slight v), The Magic Book (slight v)

Roberts is a well-known author of both children's books and mysteries. Some of her children's books have mystery plots, but many of them focus on unusual child heroes, such as the abused Laurie from "Don't Hurt Laurie" and the diabetic Amy from "Sugar Isn't Everything". Two of her children's books have SF&F plots: one involving psi powers, the other, magic. Roberts' skill in writing intelligently for the 9-12 age range makes her books excellent choices for parents who want their children's reading to help them mature. Her courage in tackling some of the more difficult problems children face earns her a unique place in children's fiction.

Children's Books

Katie wore thick, owl-rimmed glasses that mostly hid that she was The Girl with the Silver Eyes, but her mother's new boyfriend had his suspicions. It was the little things, like the rock that rolled into his ankle- he swore it wasn't there when he put his foot down- and several other strange things that happened to him. And he knew she didn't like him. But Katie wasn't just trying to scare off the man she didn't like. She desperately wanted a friend, someone who would understand her own strange ways. But the only person who could do that would be someone just like her- someone with psi powers. Well written and thoughtfully aimed at the elementary or junior high student who feels outcast or unconnected.

Alex found The Magic Book at a used book sale at the library. Maybe it could work, maybe it couldn't, but either way, he and his best friend were willing to try almost anything to stop the school bully. But they had no idea what the results of their curse would be. Perhaps it's even more than a bully deserves.... The target audience for this book is definitely elementary school kids. Those who have trouble reading may empathize with Alex, and the bully dilemma is a common enough one, even if Alex's response is a little unusual. As is typical of Roberts, the characters drive the plot, and nobody leaves without learning something.

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Last Updated: September 12, 1999

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