Status
Available
Local notes
PB Gli
Collection
Series
Publication
Yearling (2002), Edition: Reprint, 208 pages
Description
When their father is kidnapped and danger looms, the Strega-Borgia children, their mysterious new nanny, and a giant tarantula use magic and actual trips through the Internet to bring peace to their Scottish castle.
Subjects
Awards
Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Award (Nominee — 2003)
Nēnē Award (Nominee — 2005)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — Teen — 2005)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2001
Physical description
208 p.; 5.31 inches
User reviews
LibraryThing member francescadefreitas
This was hilarious, I don't know how to start describing it - kids live in a castle in Scotland, father has been kidnapped by violent Italian relations, mother is an absent minded witch studying at barding school during the week, the nanny is a technological wizard (or witch?) and the baby has been
I'd recommend this to younger kids, maybe 9 up, but also to parents as read alouds. And I plan to catch the rest in the series.
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transported through the internet, oh, and granny is kept in the basement freezer, but the plug as been pulled and she's defrosting. Chaos, hilarity, and delightful sentences to read out loud.I'd recommend this to younger kids, maybe 9 up, but also to parents as read alouds. And I plan to catch the rest in the series.
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LibraryThing member sensitivemuse
Chaotic is one word to really describe this book. Although it was fun to read what they all go through I think this book would have made a very interesting movie (should it ever go that way). Think of The Addams Family and their kookiness, mixed with a bit of style of Lemony Snicket and add in a
The plot was certainly engaging, and by reading the first page it actually takes you into the book head first so be prepared. I liked it, yet on the other hand, I found it a little too engaging. It just seems like there's just way too much going on and you have a hard time figuring out what's happening, and it also feels like you need to take a real big deep breath right after each chapter. Sometimes it helps if there's a small part in the book where everything just take a breather, and the action takes a break while we as readers sort things out with the storyline. The characters are likable and fun, no need for development, or any heavy duty stuff here. Like mentioned before, it's a light read to take a break from the heavy duty ones.
Overall, a fast, light read, with a lot of room left at the end for several more books ahead. I'll be picking them up whenever I need the urge to laugh or when I need to take a break from the heavier deeper books. Sometimes it's good to read childrens novels just to take a break from the serious books and to enjoy the quirky kooky funny ones as well.
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bit of Mary Poppins and you get Pure Dead Magic. I enjoyed reading this book! it was a fun light read and there were particular parts of the book that actually got me laughing out loud. It is quirky and kooky and you could say even rather strange at first to read but once you get engaged into the storyline then the reading experience is quite fun.The plot was certainly engaging, and by reading the first page it actually takes you into the book head first so be prepared. I liked it, yet on the other hand, I found it a little too engaging. It just seems like there's just way too much going on and you have a hard time figuring out what's happening, and it also feels like you need to take a real big deep breath right after each chapter. Sometimes it helps if there's a small part in the book where everything just take a breather, and the action takes a break while we as readers sort things out with the storyline. The characters are likable and fun, no need for development, or any heavy duty stuff here. Like mentioned before, it's a light read to take a break from the heavy duty ones.
Overall, a fast, light read, with a lot of room left at the end for several more books ahead. I'll be picking them up whenever I need the urge to laugh or when I need to take a break from the heavier deeper books. Sometimes it's good to read childrens novels just to take a break from the serious books and to enjoy the quirky kooky funny ones as well.
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LibraryThing member DiamondDog
I needed something lighter than Harry Potter, but not as dark as Lemony Snicket and lo and behold, Pure Dead Magic happened upon my desk. A fan of Deb Gliori's picture books, I thought I'd give it a go. This wickedly funny chapter book for the tween age group provides mystical fun for young goths.
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Full of puns and word play, the fast paced, entertaining story will keep readers going and hungry for the others in this series. The cast of characters alone are intriguing, including the three kids, newly hired nanny, and frozen grandma in the basement. Pick it up today and invite the Strega-Borgia family into your home! Show Less
LibraryThing member foggidawn
Titus and Pandora Strega-Borgia have problems. Their father has left the family, their mother is preoccupied with her witchcraft classes, and they have a no-nonsense new nanny. When they manage to accidentally shrink their baby sister and zap her into cyberspace, can they find a way to get her
It's hard to summarize the plot of this book, because it's so wacky and interconnected. I can see kids really liking this series, as there's lots of action and gross humor. It's not one of those children's books that I'd recommend to other adults -- there's little character development, and the plot leaps around a bit in ways that don't always make logical sense. I won't be continuing with the series, but I'm glad to have read it so now I know what it's about.
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back? And has their father really left them, or did something much more sinister happen?It's hard to summarize the plot of this book, because it's so wacky and interconnected. I can see kids really liking this series, as there's lots of action and gross humor. It's not one of those children's books that I'd recommend to other adults -- there's little character development, and the plot leaps around a bit in ways that don't always make logical sense. I won't be continuing with the series, but I'm glad to have read it so now I know what it's about.
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LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
Oh me! Oh my! This was a fun read! Roald Dahl writes Mary Poppins!
The Strega-Borgia family is not your typical family. With a yeti, a griffin and a dragon living in the basement, a crocodile living in the moat and a talking spider in the attic, you could say this family is a bit different.
But this
A fun read for 5th grade, adults will get some good laughs too!
The Strega-Borgia family is not your typical family. With a yeti, a griffin and a dragon living in the basement, a crocodile living in the moat and a talking spider in the attic, you could say this family is a bit different.
But this
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family pulls together, with the help of their unusual nanny, Mrs. McLachlan, when their father goes missing, the baby is sent careening onto the information highway in an e-mail and their home is invaded by gangsters.A fun read for 5th grade, adults will get some good laughs too!
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Pages
208