Phyllis Wong and the Waking of the Wizard by Geoffrey McSkimming

‘Great,’ said Phyllis Wong. ‘Another parent talk.’

The young magician was reading the latest school newsletter on her webPad. Her headmaster, Dr Bermschstater, had recently taken to sending out the newsletters electronically, even though he wasn’t very experienced in such matters.

Phyllis read on and rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, no, please don’t let it be her.’

Phyllis’s friend Clement came and sat on the bench beside her. ‘Don’t let it be who?’ he asked, slinging off his backpack and pulling his webPad out. (He also accidently pulled out three text-books, a squished-up egg-and-tuna sandwich, one of his many portable games consoles – this one with the new version of Zombie Apocalblitz- his wallet and a false beard made out of genuine human hair. All of these things spilled onto the ground.’

‘Great,’ said Phyllis Wong. ‘Another  parent talk.’

The young magician was reading the latest school newsletter on her webPad. Her headmaster, Dr Bermschstater, had recently taken to sending out the newsletters electronically, even though he wasn’t very experienced in such matters.

Phyllis read on and rolled her eyes. ‘Oh, no, please don’t let it be her.’

Phyllis’s friend Clement came and sat on the bench beside her. ‘Don’t let it be who?’ he asked, slinging off his backpack and pulling his webPad out. (He also accidently pulled out three text-books, a squished-up egg-and-tuna sandwich, one of his many portable games consoles – this one with the new version of Zombie Apocalblitz- his wallet and a false beard made out of genuine human hair. All of these things spilled onto the ground.’

Phyllis Wong and the Waking of the Wizard is the third title in the Phyllis Wong series. In this adventure, Phyllis joins her great-grandfather’s search for one of the greatest magicians in history. Luckily Phyllis and her great-grandfather have discovered the secrets of time-travel and can search separately to save time. This is handy given the first task is to discover whether or not this legendary magician exists at all. Phyllis is assisted (hampered) in her quest by her friend Clement who has a different set of skills, and by her dog Daisy. Together and separately they travel the halls of time, back and forth, discovering what is true, and what is myth. To complicate things, they are competing with another time-travelling magician who has his own dastardly mission.

Readers will almost feel the whoosh of air as they are whisked from time to time by Phyllis in search of the truth. Phyllis is a dynamic sleuth and Clement her trusty offsider in this break-neck paced mystery adventure. She knows when she needs help and is fortunate enough to have an ally in the police commissioner. But mostly she’s an independent, quick-thinking, creative conjurer. Mystery, humour, history and magic intertwine to keep the reader turning the page. Recommended for mid-primary readers.

 

Phyllis Wong and the Waking of the Wizard, Geoffrey McSkimming
Allen&Unwin 2015

ISBN: 9781760113384