The Magic Medallion (Cynthia's Attic Book Two) [Paperback]

Mary Cunningham (Author), Cover Art: Nathalie Moore (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Cynthia's Attic

Sinister clowns, stalkers on horseback, mystical forests, and the creepy, crawling curse.

A magic trunk sweeps Cynthia, and best friend, Augusta Lee (Gus), back to 1914 where an ill-fated trip to the circus leads to Blackie, a sinister hobo clown. Before they can be forced by Blackie to become permanent clown troupe performers, the girls are rescued by Gabriella, a Gypsy fortune-teller, and are entangled in the theft of her family's treasure. Much to their dismay, Cynthia and Gus appear to be the family's only hope of recovering a precious magic medallion.

Traveling unexpectedly forward to 1934, they meet a 'very familiar-looking' cave guide, and are stalked by a stranger on a black horse. Dangers escalate, as they're swept into an underground river, and later, barely avoid becoming 'campfire marshmallows' in a raging forest fire.

Friendship, loyalty, and an undeniable sense of adventure, keep this twosome on a never-ending path of danger, suspense, and merriment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fantastic time travel fantasy that middle school children will treasure. The escapades of Gus and Cynthia grip the audience…with humor and trepidation, but always with fun… Readers will appreciate time traveling with this dynamic duo…" --Midwest Book Review

"I was hooked from the start…reminiscent of The Magic Tree House books, so I know the appeal of this series will draw readers in. The characters are enjoyable and the mystery is not easily solved, so young girls will find plenty of enjoyment with Cynthia and Gus..." --Round Table Reviews

"This was an enjoyable read. The parallels between each pair of girls, three generations apart made a nice complement to the time travel." --The Reading Tub Review

From the Publisher

This delightful and charming tale is sure to entertain adventurers of all ages. "The Magic Medallion" is the second installment in the Cynthia's Attic Fantasy Adventure series and worth every second you'll spend reading it.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Echelon Press Publishing; 1st edition (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590804600
• ISBN-13: 978-1590804605
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,270,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

"I live in my own little world, but it's okay, they know me here."


Author, Mary Cunningham grew up in the sleepy little town of Corydon, Indiana. And she really means, "in the town!" Her house was just beyond the main intersection that took Southern Indiana cars and trucks from north to west. That was well before I-64 zoomed traffic just north of town, so imagine the teeth-grinding sound an 18-wheeler made wheeling around the tight corner, then downshifting as they passed her house. Winter? Not so bad. Summer with the windows open? Countless sleepless nights sitting on the porch with her dad telling stories and learning about the constellations.


After 10 years as a bank teller, followed by a horrifying stint as a travel agent and more rewarding experience teaching travel and tourism and the airline computer reservation system, she finally realized that her heart belonged to writing.


Her childhood experiences, and a recurring dream about a mysterious attic, inspired her to create characters, Cynthia and Augusta Lee, for her award-winning 'Tween series, "Cynthia's Attic." Like Cynthia and Gus, her childhood best friend, Cynthia and she grew up in a small, Southern Indiana town...the setting for the series. Cunningham and her friends spent much of the summer playing softball, hide and seek, badminton, and croquet in a vacant lot on her block. Years later, those joyful summers would be recalled in the four-book series, "Cynthia's Attic."


She is also co-author of the humor-filled lifestyle book, (WOOF) Women Only Over Fifty, along with a published short stories, Ghost Light, and "Cynthia's Attic" short story, Christmas With Daisy.


At present, she is awaiting the release of Cynthia's Attic: Five (June 15, 2012) in between writing 2 adult mysteries.


Cunningham is a member of The Georgia Reading Association, and the Carrollton Creative Writers Club.


When she gives her fingers a day away from the keyboard, she enjoys golf, swimming and exploring the mountains of West Georgia where she makes her home with her husband. Together they've raised three creative children, have 2 granddaughters and an adopted, four-legged, furry daughter, Lucy.


At last count, she's moved 9 times into six different states (all after the age of 36), and aside from the packing and unpacking, she believes it's been a great experience, having made some very dear and lasting friendships.


Mary Cunningham spends non-writing time showing power point presentations on gathering ideas and the writing process to schools and libraries.


She may be reached through her publisher, Quake/Echelon Press, or through her website: Marycunninghambooks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reading for young girls!, September 26, 2007

By 

Mayra Calvani "Multi-genre author and reviewer." (Brussels, Belgium) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magic Medallion (Cynthia's Attic Book Two) (Paperback)

In this the second book in the Cynthia's Attic series, best friends Gus and Cynthia are once again swept back in time into a world of fantasy, mystery and adventure. These two young protagonists never give up or say no at the opportunity of a good thrill, and this book is even better than the first.

By way of the magic trunk in Cynthia's old and cobweb-filled attic, the girls are transported back to 1914, where they end up in a circus and at the hands of a sinister and mean hobo clown who tries to force them to work for him as clown performers. They also meet a beautiful and alluring fortune-teller gypsy who rescues them from the circus. However, she has a proposition for them that may be even more dangerous--they must travel in time to find the lost magic medallion. And if Gus and Cynthia don't accept, they may not be able to get back to their present-day homes. As they go in search of the magic medallion, the girls meet a set of interesting characters and fall into a vortex of mystery and escapades.

The action is non-stop, the dialogue engaging, the secondary characters intriguing, and the protagonists nothing short of adorable--smart, kind, and with an unbeatable sense of adventure. This is a middle-grade novel that will be devoured by girls ages 10-13. I eagerly look forward to the third book in the series.

--Mayra Calvani, Mayra's Secret Bookcase

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Magnificently Magical, October 10, 2007

By 

RJ "Book-Lover" (TN, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Magic Medallion (Cynthia's Attic Book Two) (Paperback)

Mary Cunningham's second book in the Cynthia's Attic series, reunites best friends, Cynthia and Gus for another trail-blazing adventure. The amateur sleuths have a nose for trouble and just can't resist the urge to visit the mysterious old trunk in the attic. With non-stop action from cover to cover, there's more than enough twists, turns and danger to keep readers up past well past bedtime.
Climbing the dusty stairs, the girls knew that although there were no ghosts, goblins or giant spiders in the attic, the real excitement was in great-grandmother's old trunk. Expecting things to be just the way they had left them, the girls were shocked to find Cynthia's great-grandfather's circus train in-front of the trunk. Magically the girls are thrust back in time, to the year 1914, where they eventually find themselves forced to perform by a nasty hobo clown. Rescued from the sinister Blackie, by the beautiful, fortune teller, Gabriella, Cynthia and Gus have unwittingly become entangled in the theft of her family's most cherished treasure. The adventure is wrought with danger as the girls must travel through time and locate the magic medallion. Should they refuse, they may never be able to return to their present-day lives.
In this second volume of the Cynthia's Attic series, the girls meet a host of new and interesting characters and explore a wide range of settings. This is an irresistible adventure series - that has it all..entertaining, exciting and engaging,- a non-stop, thrilling ride through time. I eagerly await the third installment in this unique series!

Happy Reading!
RJ xx
3Rs-

Volume 3 in this wonderful youth series will be available December 2007!! Now is the perfect time to explore Cynthia's Attic with the young reader in your family!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic Medallion, February 24, 2007

By 

Christine E. Eldin "takoda" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Magic Medallion (Cynthia's Attic Book Two) (Paperback)

"The Magic Medallion" is a fun, fast-paced adventure I would highly recommend for children aged ten to thirteen. Two best friends are brought back in time where they meet colorful characters. There is just enough danger to be suspenseful without being scary. The characters seem real, and the ending is happy with all loose ends tied up--except for the tantalizing bit about the bayou! To me, this is better than the Magic Tree House because we truly get to know the characters. I can't wait to read the next adventure!