Alternative Worlds
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Octagon Magic
Andre Norton
Starscape, Dec 2005, $5.99
ISBN: 0765352982
When Grandmother Mallard, whom she lived with, went to England to recuperate from the surgery under the care of a close friend, eleven-year-old Lorrie Mallard left Canada to live with her Aunt Margaret in the States. Lorrie is unhappy in America as she struggles to adjust while nasty boys like Rob Lockner, Jimmy Purvis and Stan Wormiski taunt her as a Canuck who walks like a duck. Needing to escape the teasing of the terrible threesome, Lorrie climbs the front gate to Octagon House where Hallie, the servant to the alleged witch elderly Miss Charlotta Ashemeade residing there, greets her.
After a terrible week highlighted by Rob’s disgusting sister Kathy “killing” her doll Miranda, Lorrie runs to Octagon House where Hallie introduces her to Miss Charlotta. When the child comes home she tells Aunt Margaret about her visit to Octagon House and receives permission to return. At the house, Lorrie searches for Sabina the cat and finds a strange room with a dollhouse and old dolls inside. That leads the exploring child back in time to the nineteenth century where she meets Lotta Ashemeade, Phin and Phoebe. Lorrie’s adventures into understanding behavior have just begun.
The reissue of the second “Magic” tale (see STEAL MAGIC) will bring joy to preadolescent readers. The story line focuses on unhappy Lorrie as she fails to adjust to her environs, blaming others for her misery. She and the key cast are fully developed so that her woes seem genuine and monumental (remember she is a sixth grader). Her escapade into the Victorian Age provides her with lessons in group dynamics and inter-human relationships that she takes back to her present as memories. Though too slow for adults, the ten to twelve year old crowd will appreciate a visit to Octagon House.
Andre Norton
Starscape, Dec 2005, $5.99
ISBN: 0765352982
When Grandmother Mallard, whom she lived with, went to England to recuperate from the surgery under the care of a close friend, eleven-year-old Lorrie Mallard left Canada to live with her Aunt Margaret in the States. Lorrie is unhappy in America as she struggles to adjust while nasty boys like Rob Lockner, Jimmy Purvis and Stan Wormiski taunt her as a Canuck who walks like a duck. Needing to escape the teasing of the terrible threesome, Lorrie climbs the front gate to Octagon House where Hallie, the servant to the alleged witch elderly Miss Charlotta Ashemeade residing there, greets her.
After a terrible week highlighted by Rob’s disgusting sister Kathy “killing” her doll Miranda, Lorrie runs to Octagon House where Hallie introduces her to Miss Charlotta. When the child comes home she tells Aunt Margaret about her visit to Octagon House and receives permission to return. At the house, Lorrie searches for Sabina the cat and finds a strange room with a dollhouse and old dolls inside. That leads the exploring child back in time to the nineteenth century where she meets Lotta Ashemeade, Phin and Phoebe. Lorrie’s adventures into understanding behavior have just begun.
The reissue of the second “Magic” tale (see STEAL MAGIC) will bring joy to preadolescent readers. The story line focuses on unhappy Lorrie as she fails to adjust to her environs, blaming others for her misery. She and the key cast are fully developed so that her woes seem genuine and monumental (remember she is a sixth grader). Her escapade into the Victorian Age provides her with lessons in group dynamics and inter-human relationships that she takes back to her present as memories. Though too slow for adults, the ten to twelve year old crowd will appreciate a visit to Octagon House.
