The Unbelievable Oliver and the Four Jokers

The Unbelievable Oliver and the Four Jokers
Pseudonymous Bosch
Shane Pangburn, Illustrator
Dial, May, 2019 188 pages
Grade 2-5
Mystery
Unbelievable Oliver series #1

Poor Oliver! He is the only student in his third grade class not invited to rich-kid, Maddox's birthday party and his fledgling magic career is off to a bumbling start. When his two best friends, twins Bea and Teenie, land him a gig at the party as the paid entertainment, desperate measures must be taken. Oliver pays a visit to the Great Zoocheeni's Magic Emporium, where his older cousin is employed. He purchases a shabby magic hat containing a secret weapon: a talking rabbit who knows his way around the magic biz. Benny is willing to help Oliver get through this last gig and then he hopes to retire and enjoy the good life, only the show does not go as planned. Halfway through Oliver's act it is discovered that Maddox's favorite present is stolen. Fingers are pointed at Oliver and his friends. They must split up and follow the clue to determine the real perpetrator and then Oliver must finish his act. Does Oliver have what it takes to find the culprit, as well as pull off a real magic act?

As teen author are moving down to middle grade, middle grade seems to be migrating to chapter books. Pseudonymous Bosch (the Secret series) offers a heavily illustrated chapter book with his characteristic humor, although a little less biting and sarcastic than what he pens for an older audience. Magic has become a hot trend, as seen in several new releases this season, and Oliver is sure to find an audience. The featured trick at the party is described in depth in the back and, best of all, involves storytelling. The plot is fast moving and Oliver is a character that the target audience will appreciate and relate to. Cartoon-like illustrations are on almost every page and help to move the plot along, also adding humor to the proceedings. Black and white with purple highlights, they properly reflect both the fun and the magic. The mystery is not particularly advanced, but will serve to introduce new readers to the genre. The talking rabbit, though not plausible, offers comic relief and a foil to Oliver's efforts. A teaser at the end invites readers to crack into the next installment, date yet to be released.