Spurred by a series of scurrilous newspaper stories into making a comeback, the Great Zandini, conjuror extraordinaire, plans an evening of astounding magical illusions that will dazzle Paris and also introduce his audience to his son and successor, Theodore. But Theo doesn’t want to be a magician. It’s his younger sister, Fanny, who yearns to be on stage alongside her father. She wants so badly to join the family’s magical dynasty, but her father takes no notice whatsoever of her skills as a performer. When Theo’s debut on opening night is a complete disaster, making the Great Zandini the laughingstock of Paris, Fanny devises an ingenious scheme that she hopes will not only help restore the Zandini reputation but will also show her father just how talented she really is.

Cary Fagan’s first short novel for young readers is as magical as its subject matter. It’s full of playful mischief ranging from magical tricks at the dinner table and an utterly engrossing conjuring war to the series of ever more spurious newspaper stories that pepper the text. But at the same time, it’s also an empowering story for young readers, for boys who don’t want to follow in their father’s career footsteps and girls who do, and for children who long to express themselves creatively. And, as Fanny Zandini discovers herself, the journey isn’t always an easy one, even when you have the talent.

Cybèle Young’s black-and-white pen-and-ink drawings neatly complement the turn-of-the-century atmosphere. But kudos must especially go to the book design itself. Its clothbound and gold-foil-stamped spine, laminated and spot-varnished board cover and handsome end papers splendidly evoke the feel of a 19th-century children’s book and are particularly apt for a book full of transformations and other magical manipulations.