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Family Files (Fabulous Fantoras Book One) [Paperback]

Adele Geras (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)


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Book Description

Fabulous Fantoras Book One
You may be surprised to learn that it's the family cat who records the Fantora Family Files. But as Ozzy will tell you--because Ozzy can talk as well as write--the whole family is a bit strange. Filomena, the grandmother, sees the future in her knitting. Rosamund, the mother, creates magical potions and can fly. Eddie, the father, can grow anything anywhere, including a tree of fruit salad. Bianca, age 10, animates toys and other objects. Marco, 9, has the power to become invisible (except for the Band-Aid Rosamund put on his back). Little Francesca, 6, is stubborn and bossy, and she can change the weather at will (which comes in handy when you're planning a day at the beach). Auntie Varvara (the Transylvanian pronunciation of Barbara) is a vegetarian vampire. And Ozymandias, the cat, writes down all the weird and wild adventures of the whole Fantora family.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Delightfully packed with Briticisms, this clever import launches the Fabulous Fantoras series in high style. Geras's (Pictures of the Night) cordial narrator is the cat Ozzy, self-proclaimed "Keeper of the Files" for the eccentric Fantora clan of Manchester. With obvious affection, Ozzy (short for Ozymandias) introduces his family. Auntie Varvara, a vampire who has turned vegetarian "on account of her soft heart," can "move things about the place just by thinking about it"; mother Rosie mixes up magical potions and is able to fly; and patriarch Eddie can make anything grow anywhere ("palm trees in the bath... grapevines on the bookshelves"). The equally talented children include mischievous Bianca, who brings toys and furniture to life; absentminded, aspiring poet Marco, who can become invisible; and Francesca, whose gifts range from useful (changing the weather) to risky ("starting fires when she's extremely cross"). Perhaps the most intriguing is grandmother Filomena, who predicts the future by interpreting the colors and patterns of her knitting?"transforming the threads of the past into a fabric that forms the future." Geras puts her characters' rare talents to diverting uses: when boys bully Marco, for example, Bianca visits their art class and animates their paint supplies to wreak vengeance; for the school fund-raiser, Rosie bakes biscuits that enable the children who eat them to "float and drift and hover, about a foot and a half above the ground." Jolly good fun. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-The narrator of this story is an omniscient talking cat named Ozymandias, and he is by no means the only unusual member of the Fantora family. Rosie (the mother) is a magical cook and potion-concocter, Eddie (the father) can grow absolutely anything, Bianca (age 10) brings inanimate objects to life, Marco (age 9) can make himself invisible, and Francesca (age 5) can start fires and alter the weather. Filomena (the grandmother) can read the future in her knitting and Auntie Varvara is a vegetarian vampire. After their turreted old mansion burns down, they all move into a nice suburban neighborhood where their assorted magical talents save a neighbor's wedding and smooth the children's transition to a new school. Ozzy documents his loony family in a straightforward and slightly long-suffering manner that brings to mind Jack and his talented, hilarious relations in Helen Cresswell's "Bagthorpe" books (Macmillan; o.p.). Unlike that family, though, the Fantoras all tend to get along, even using their magical powers in harmony with one another. Children will cheer when Eddie finally achieves his dream of growing a fruit-salad tree and will be delighted when Aunt Varvara meets the man (or rather, werewolf) of her dreams. Suitably wacky drawings add to the zaniness.
Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Camelot (August 3, 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0380793598
  • ISBN-13: 978-0380793594
  • Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,406,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in Jerusalem in 1944 and educated at Roedean School, Brighton and St Hilda's college, Oxford.
I've been writing books for children and young adults since 1976 and have published more than 90 titles.
I've also written four adult novels, published by Orion Books.
My website is at http://www.adelegeras.com

 

Customer Reviews

3 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars you would wish you were one of these Fabulous Fantoras!, March 7, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Family Files (Fabulous Fantoras Book One) (Paperback)
Magical fun and humoruos! I read this book in book group and it didn't get alot of conversation but it did get 10s 1000s and inbetween!great fun. Discover the Fantoras and their tricks and talents!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, May 24, 2001
This review is from: Family Files (Fabulous Fantoras Book One) (Paperback)
Thios is possibly the best book I have ever read. I am now 11 years old, and I still read it often. I am getting book 2, and am HOPELESSLY waiting for book 3!!!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Very funny, good kid's book, you'll love it, October 9, 2000
A Kid's Review
I am an eleven year old boy in search of HUMOR. And this book has it all. I highly reccomend this book for younger kids who are just starting to read chapter books. It's simple to understand, has lots of funny drawings, and is hilarious.
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