Wings #1 (The Mysterious Mr. Spines) [Paperback]

Jason Lethcoe (Author), Scott Altmann (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: The Mysterious Mr. Spines

When Edward's mother dies, his aunt sends him to a school for troubled youths. There, Edward develops an itch in his back that he can't scratch, and when he gets angry it seems like he can move things with his mind. When the itch erupts into a set of wings, an evil teacher tries to cut them off. Edward is rescued by Mr. Spines, who reveals that Edward is a Guardian, a magical being who guards and guides souls in the Woodbine, a stopover between life and death.

Edward will now have to battle the most evil force in the Woodbine, the Jackal, and his army of fallen Guardians. They have destroyed the bridges that lead to the afterlife, trapping countless souls. Edward is unprepared for so much responsibility and he runs away and becomes lost in the Woodbine. There he must find his own voice and learn to master his powers as he is pulled from side to side by magical forces he is only beginning to understand.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4–6—Edward Macleod, a 14-year-old orphan, has been sent to a school for difficult children by his guardian aunt. When strange things start happening to him, such as being able to move objects with his mind and wings sprouting on his back, he attempts to find out what he really is and where he belongs. When evil Whiplash Scruggs tries to cut off his wings, Edward flees with the help of a mysterious Mr. Spines, even though he's not sure this half-man, half-porcupine can be trusted. From him, Edward learns that his mother is trapped in the Afterlife and needs his help to move on. This is a fast-moving story about a character who arouses sympathy from the moment he is introduced. Taller than other children but gentle and harmless, Edward has no idea of his powers or abilities. Life hits him hard but he finds the strength to push forward with the hope of finding something better just ahead. The ending leaves readers wanting more. The introduction of demons, angels, and myths could confound less sophisticated readers, but the strong story line and characterization help overcome any confusion and allow them to accept the narrative as it unfolds.—Debra Banna, Sharon Public Library, MA
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About the Author

Jason Lethcoe lives in Thousand Oaks, California.

Scott Altmann lives in Levittown, New York.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap (February 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0448446537
• ISBN-13: 978-0448446530
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #808,097 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mysterious Mr. Spines: WINGS, March 27, 2009

By 

ROBIN PARENT (Logan, Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wings #1 (The Mysterious Mr. Spines) (Paperback)

I bought wings admittedly due to the cover art. I have a hard time finding stories with interesting boy main characters that my nine year old son will identify with. He read it within a week; no bribes, no prodding! After finishing he handed me the book and said I should read it. This is something I routinely do with my eleven year old, who is a very advanced reader. Thinking my son wanted to be included in the book exchange I took it and read it.

You can imagine my surprise when right away I was intrigued with the tall awkward teenager, Edward and his itch. If you have a son you know they always itch. And wouldn't it be wonderful if that itch produced fabulous wings instead of stinky sneakers!

Edward's thought process and character development along with the subsequent characters; Mr. Spines, Mr. Scruggs, and others made for an action packed, suspenseful and challenging book to read. Not only must the reader identify with Edward, they must also decipher the clues as to who is evil (or fallen), who is trying to be good, and deal with a time within a boys life when wings might not be the only bodily change occurring.

This first installment of the series sets the tone and plot in 180 pages. Just right for a young boy with an avid imagination and a short attention span. Both my son and I are looking forward to FLIGHT!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, September 17, 2011

By 

cab2311 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wings #1 (The Mysterious Mr. Spines) (Paperback)

This book was purchased for my son to read. It was one of the selections he had to choose from for an English project. He couldn't put the book down and he usually hates to read. He even requested that I purchase Wings 2 and 3; which I did.