The Familiars

by Adam Jay Epstein (Author)

Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

For fans of Warriors and The Magic Thief comes a magical adventure story about a street cat who's mistaken for a wizard's familiar.

When Aldwyn, a young alley cat on the run, ducks into a mysterious pet shop, he doesn't expect his life to change. But that's exactly what happens when Jack, a young wizard in training, picks Aldwyn to be his magical familiar.

Finally off the tough streets, Aldwyn thinks he's got it made. He just has to convince the other familiars--the know-it-all blue jay Skylar and the friendly tree frog Gilbert--that he's the telekinetic cat he claims to be. But when Jack and two other wizards in training are captured by the evil queen, Aldwyn will have to use all of his street smarts, a few good friends, and a nose for adventure to save the day!

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School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 4-7--This series opener won't disappoint. Escaping from a bounty hunter, a streetwise cat becomes the familiar of a boy magician-in-training. Almost before Aldwyn gets to know his new surroundings, Jack, his sister, and a fellow student are kidnapped and it is up to him; Skylar, a magic-adept bluejay; and Gilbert, a clumsy, red-eyed tree frog, to rescue their "loyals." The consistently suspenseful narrative moves quickly and is full of twists and turns. The characters are genuinely familiar: Aldwyn feels inadequate and works hard to conceal his humble origins; Skylar has secretly studied human magic and can be arrogant about her abilities; bumbling Gilbert thinks mostly about food and fears the father he has disappointed. The history of the queendom of Vastia is smoothly worked into the narrative. This winning combination of action and humor will keep readers turning pages right up to the ending, which successfully concludes this adventure but leaves room for more.--Kathleen Isaacs, Children's Literature Specialist, Pasadena, MD

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

After starving alley cat Aldwyn steals food from a fishmonger once too often, he is chased by a notorious bounty hunter intent on exterminating him. He takes refuge in a pet store that sells animal familiars to local wizards and is purchased by Jack, a young apprentice. Aldwyn likes his cushy new life in Stone Runlet with Jack and two other students, but he struggles to convince his fellow familiars--a blue jay named Skylar and a tree frog named Gilbert--that he's as magical as they are. When a prophecy foretells that three spell-casters from Stone Runlet will save the world, the formerly benevolent Queen Loranella kills the students' mentor and takes the young novices prisoner, leaving it to the familiars to rescue the children. Screenwriters Epstein and Jacobson's children's book debut is a grand adventure with entertaining characters and magic-induced fun, written in an appropriately cinematic style (Sony Pictures Animation has optioned the story). Even adults will appreciate a tale in which street smarts mix with book learning, and resourcefulness and confidence are matched by loyalty and respect. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 812. (Sept.) Copyright 2010 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

Review quotes

"The Familiars combines the magic of Harry Potter and the adventure of Warriors into an enchanting story readers will love. Whether furry [like Aldwyn], flippered [like Gilbert] or feathered [like Skylar] you'll be taking a closer look at your family pet."—Michael Buckley, author of The Sisters Grimm and NERDS
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780061961083
Lexile Measure
920
Guided Reading Level
V
Publisher
HarperCollins
Publication date
September 07, 2010
Series
Familiars (Hardcover)
BISAC categories
JUV002050 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Cats
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
Library of Congress categories
Cats
Adventure and adventurers
Magic
Adventure stories
Fantasy
Fantasy fiction
Wizards
E.B. White Read Aloud Award
Finalist 2011 - 2011
Nene Award
Nominee 2014 - 2014
Beehive Awards
Nominee 2013 - 2013
Grand Canyon Reader Award
Nominee 2013 - 2013
Young Hoosier Book Award
Nominee 2013 - 2013
Sunshine State Young Reader's Award
Winner 2013 - 2013
Golden Sower Award
Nominee 2013 - 2013
Nevada Young Readers' Award
Nominee 2013 - 2013

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