Marvin Redpost: A Magic Crystal? (Marvin Redpost (Prebound)) [Hardcover]

Louis Sachar (Author), Amy Wummer (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2000 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Marvin Redpost (Prebound) (Book 8)

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. When Marvin Redpost's new friend, Casey, shares with him her magic crystal that can make wishes come true, things get out of control.

--This text refers to the School & Library Binding edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

When Marvin Redpost agrees to go over to Casey Happleton's house, he doesn't know what he's in for. Casey shows him the magic crystal she has just found and offers to give Marvin a few wishes. Is the crystal really magic? Or is it too good to be true? --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Louis Sachar is the author of the much acclaimed Holes, which has won major American literary prizes including the Newbery and the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. He lives in Austin, Texas. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Perfection Learning (September 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756901901
• ISBN-13: 978-0756901905
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,912,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

author spotlight
Newbery Award-winning author Louis Sachar is the creator of the entertaining Marvin Redpost books as well as the much-loved There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, winner of 17 child-voted state awards.

Louis Sachar's book Holes, winner of the 1999 Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, is also an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Quick Pick, an ALA Notable Book, and was made into a major motion picture.

A Few Words From Louis Sachar
Of all the characters from Holes, why did you choose to revisit Armpit in SMALL STEPS?
LS: I tend to write about underdogs. It seemed to me that life would be tough for an African-American teenager from a low-income family with a criminal record. Especially someone stuck with the name, "Armpit."
Although this new book is about a character from Holes, the two books are very different. How would you explain to a fan of Holes what to expect from SMALL STEPS?
LS: I can't. I'm no good at describing my books. Holes has been out now for seven years, and I still can't come up with a good answer when asked what that book is about.
Could you imagine future novels about any of the other boys?
Do you think about what Stanley is up to now?
LS: I don't think too much about Stanley or Zero. I left them in a good place. Although money doesn't bring happiness, or give meaning to someone's life, the problems Stanley and Zero face now (and I'm sure they do face many problems) are less interesting than those faced by someone like Armpit.
Plenty of teenagers fantasize about what it would be like to be a young rock star.
You portray it as lonely. Tell us about that decision.
LS: The media tends to portray the teenage world as one where drinking and sex is taken for granted. In fact, I think most teenagers don't drink, are unsure of themselves, and feel awkward around members of the opposite sex. I thought it was important to show Kaira, a rock star no less, as such a person. Her situation, in many ways, is made more difficult as she has no social contact with anyone her age. She is trapped in a world of agents, record producers, and hanger-ons.
I'm imagining that off all the books you've written, Holes is the one that has changed your life the most. Not only did it win the Newbery Medal, it's also simply a popular sensation. Is this assessment accurate? What is this novel's continuing impact on your life? Would you consider it the book that you are proudest of?
LS: Not counting Small Steps, I think Holes is my best book, in terms of plot, and setting, and the way the story revealed itself. It hasn't changed my life, other than that I have more money than I did before I wrote it. I'm still too close to Small Steps to compare it to Holes.
Why do you typically write only two hours each day?
LS: Small steps. Every time I start a new novel it seems like an impossible undertaking. If I tried to do too much too quickly, I would get lost and feel overwhelmed. I have to go slow, and give things a chance to take form and grow.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funny Throughout!, October 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Magic Crystal? (Marvin Redpost 8, paper) (Paperback)

Louis Sachar's tricks on words in "A Magic Crystal (Marvin Redpost Series)" will have you and your child giggling, laughing, and even roaring. This story captivated my 6-year-olds' interest without the need for lots of pictures. I found myself enjoying it just as much as he did. My son could really relate to the characters and was excited by the plot. There is no better feeling for a parent when your child asks for more.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvin Redpost's a Winner!, February 19, 2001

By 

Roz Levine - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magic Crystal? (Marvin Redpost 8, paper) (Paperback)

It all started with Casey Happleton. She was the most unusual girl Marvin Redpost had ever met. She lived in an old fire station. Actually, it had been remodeled and on the inside looked pretty much like a regular house, except for the fire pole right in the middle of the living room. The pole went all the way up to the fourth floor and Casey was allowed to slide down on it. And, she had a big secret...a magic crystal. It used to be a normal rock, but had been struck by lightning in the storm the night before and now, if you made a wish on the magic crystal, it would come true. Casey had already tested it out. She had wished that Marvin would come over to her house and he had. Marvin was pretty skeptical about the magic and so he decided to test it himself. He wished that everyone would be in school the next day, no absences and the next day, everyone was in class. Then Casey wished for homemade cookies for an afterschool snack and a plate was waiting for them when she and Marvin got to his house later that day. Marvin figured the magic could be a coincidence and was pretty iffy. Casey was beginning to get on his nerves, always babbling away about the magic crystal and wishes and he finally got so angry that he wished she'd just shut up. And she did. She stopped talking completely. Now Marvin is starting to panic. No sounds are coming out of Casey's mouth and he doesn't know what to do..... Louis Sachar has written a delightful, silly and endearing story youngsters 6-10 will really enjoy. His writing is funny and true to life, his characters real people that kids can identify with and his scenes are vivid and at times laugh-out-loud funny. A Magic Crystal is a wonderful addition to the Marvin Redpost series.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvin Redpost A Magic Crystal?, January 9, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Magic Crystal? (Marvin Redpost 8, paper) (Paperback)

I read Marvin Redpost, A Magic Crystal? It was a good, funny, exciting, COOL book. Do you think that others will read it? Well I hope that people will read the book because its fun to read it! Kids can read this book when they are in first through third grad!! You can get other book of Marvin Redpost books in you local library!