I really enjoy books that manage to pull this type of story off without making an adult evil. Although, thankfully, the adults involved are all sympathetic to the protagonist. The whole ‘weird camp that you don’t understand where their is something else going on’ thing is also a major component. Narrated in third person omniscient, and often directly addressing the reader, it is somewhat similar in style and tone to the SUE. This highly entertaining read reminded me of two things – Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events books, and Louis Sachar’s book Holes. Being only vaguely aware of it myself, I can confidently say that lack of knowledge of Shakespeare, or The Tempest, will not impede young readers in their enjoyment of this novel. What happens at camp, and indeed most of the book, is based loosely on William Shakespeare’s play The Tempest.

This is where most of the action of the book takes place. When Max-Ernest leaves the family with virtually no explanation, Clay needs a focus for his anger and resentment – he chooses magic.Ĭlay’s parents, for once, decide to choose ‘a consequence’ for him, and send him to Earth Ranch, which is advertised as a camp designed to help “children outgrow problem behaviors and reach their full potential.” After reading the brochure, helpfully provided by the teacher that believes Clay tagged the school wall, he declares that it is “Alcatraz… on a volcano… with llamas!” He’s not wrong. Max-Ernest’s abiding passion was magic tricks, and he taught Clay many of them. Which leads to the explanation for MAGIC SUCKS! being a piece of Clay’s work. So Clay is raised mostly by Max-Ernest…until he disappears. So, when Clay is born 12 years later, they decide to go completely hands-off. Clay has a much older brother, Max-Ernest, whom his parents believe they parented too actively. Wait, let’s back up a little… You see, both of Clay’s parents are psychologists.

Bad Magic by Pseudonymous Bosch