CHAPTER BOOKS
Hand Me Down Magic 4: Mysterious Tea Set
Illustrated by Luis Uribe
January 11, 2022
There’s a mystery brewing in Abuelita’s shop in the fourth and final Hand-Me-Down Magic book: The complete series is perfect for fans of Ivy and Bean and Dory Fantasmagory,with adorable illustrations and short, easy-to-read chapters. Del finds a very beautiful tea set hidden deep in the Curious Cousins Secondhand Shoppe—but something about it doesn’t add up. It’s missing some teacups, and the hand-painted design on it looks very familiar. The tea set must be connected to their family. Alma and Del are excited to solve the case of the mysterious tea set, but their questions (“Who painted it?” “Is it magical?”) only get an Abuelita shrug and a confusing answer. Still, with determination, neighborhood magic, and a little help from Evie, the best-friend-cousins will learn the story behind the tea set as they work to make it whole once more.
Corey Ann Haydu’s writing is filled with tender moments, wholesome humor, and magical detail—reminiscent of literary icons like Beverly Clearly, Marla Frazee, and Katherine Applegate. This chapter book series is pitch perfect for kids reading at this young level. And Luisa Uribe’s stunning black-and-white illustrations capture the warmth and unique personality of each character.
Hand Me Down Magic: Perfect Patchwork Purse
Illustrated by Luis Uribe
May 4, 2021
Alma knew it the first time she saw it: The patchwork purse in the window of the Curious Cousins Secondhand Shoppe was magical. Special. Perfect. But when her friend Cassie spots the purse and buys it, what could Alma do but agree that the purse really did look just right on Cassie?
Del decides it’s up to her to bring some homespun magic back into Alma’s life, and she’s got just the plan to do it. After all, she is the EXPERT on magic!
All she needs is some glitter and lots and lots of glue . . . because she knows magic can always come from the most unexpected places, but most importantly, that best-friend-cousins never let each other down.
Hand Me Down Magic
Illustrated by Luis Uribe
June 16, 2020
Meet the best friends at 86 ½ Twenty-Third Avenue.
DEL loves LOTS of things! The Curious Cousins Secondhand Shoppe. Ginormous family dinners. And of course, her best-friend-cousin, Alma.
ALMA loves her abuelita’s tasty empanadas. Her old home by the lake. And soon, she’ll love living in the same place as her best-friend-cousin, Del.
Yet despite having Del by her side, Alma isn’t quite sure she fits in with their family at 86 ½ Twenty-Third Avenue. It’s a new life and it’s all so different. When Del finds a special item at a neighbor’s stoop sale, she gets so excited by the magic luck it brings—but doesn’t see that it’s driving the two best friends apart. Will family, friendship, and maybe a little everyday magic be enough to make things right again?
Brimming with adorable illustrations and short, easy-to-read chapters, this is sure to be an instant favorite for fans of Ivy and Bean and Dory Fantasmagory
PRAISE
“…the emotional beats are clearly delineated, and alternating focalization will allow readers to empathize with both Alma and Del. Reading is swift and accessible, broken up by copious cheerful illustrations, and youngsters will long to share in the cousins’ idyllic family life while understanding the pitfalls of propinquity.”
-BCCB
“The result is a nuanced look at the girls’ friendship, emotions, and motivations. A transitional chapter book with unusual depth, good pacing, and a loving, supportive Latinx family. Libraries should find space on their shelves for this new series.”
-Booklist
“This series debut is a sweet tale about friendship, family, and being the new kid on the block…The line-drawing illustrations throughout give a glimpse of the street where the girls live, the magic earrings, and some of the foods, like empanadas and gofio… A good fit for larger collections. Put this book in the hands of kids who enjoy series like Annie Barrows’s “Ivy and Bean” or Megan McDonald’s “Judy Moody.” ”
-School Library Journal
Hand Me Down Magic 2
June 16, 2020
Alma’s birthday gift for Del was supposed to be delightful and daring—just like Del. Her present was a magical crystal ball, and it worked, too! All of Del’s predictions for her party guests were coming true.
But when Alma looks into the ball to read Del’s future, she sees something frightening. Del is certain Alma has given her a bad-luck fortune and that it will spell DISASTER for her.
Del doesn’t feel like the brave cousin anymore. Which means it’s up to Alma to help Del face her fear—and her crystal ball fortune—with her best-friend-cousin right by her side.
