Abadazad: The Dream Thief - Book #2

I bought this for my 8 year old son and he has already read it five times! He says: It's mysterious and adventurous and that's the type I like!

People out there who have read the first book of the abadazad series, i hope you agree with me saying that these books are totally amazing and awesome! Anyone who is looking for a good read, i assure you, this is it!!! : )

This book came to my attention (along with the first in the series) bwo my elder brother. "Remember him?" he asked. I looked down and saw the cover of The Dream Thief, which features a rather snarky, evil looking purple top hatted, goatee-ed, red-eyed, red beak nosed, yellow teethed, six armed, Fagin type nasty male type figure. "Ummmm....no...." (It was only the truth. I know no one who wears a purple top hat.) Then I noticed the Author. Oh! I don't know him as J.M., but by another name. I met him eons ago in India. Since then, we've each headed different paths, and his has been really interesting. I remember him as having a most engaging grin, and dark hair. He's still got the grin, and has acquired a 11 or 12 year old daughter, Kate. Elder Brother tells me that this series, which started as comic books, originated because he wanted to do something that young Kate could read. Hence Abadazad was born. I wish everyone I haven't seen in thirty years could come up with such a great concept. Enough about the background. The book is grand. Great format, going between the old "original" books, Kate's enchanted diary and the world of Abadazad. Street wise Kate, with more cynicism than any child should have to have, finds herself off to another world to find her lost little brother. Vibrant colors, great characterizations and the promise of sequels. What could be bad? I finished the first book and began to read The Dream Thief almost immediately. The books aren't long, so it didn't take too much time from the pile of books I have already going. This book is grand, even better than the first. Great format continues, and continues to delight me. Makes me itch to read the "original" stories. Heh. And how many graphic novels do you read, where you find yourself thinking you want to make a note for a quote to use later in life? There is a real core of teaching in this book-- not heavy handed morality or beat your face in with it spirituality, but honest observations that can be great guideposts for anyone, child or adult, in their journey through life. I love the names of the different characters and "species" that populate the story, and the way that books play such an important part. The guidance of Uncle Waterlogged and Pfoughh the Wubbtale, the companionship of Wix...the idea of finding your own personal magic... I'm hooked. Can you tell?