The Story of Gumluck the Wizard (Gumluck the Wizard #1)
by Adam Rex (Author)
Meet Gumluck the Wizard, the star of a new chapter book series by the inimitable Adam Rex!
This is a story about magic, if you like that kind of thing. It is also a story about a ghost with amnesia, an unpopular fairy, an ungrateful little town, and an extremely wise and helpful raven (who happens to be a pretty talented storyteller). But mostly, it is about a friendly little wizard who lives inside a big hill and really, really, really wants to be a hero. His name is Gumluck, and he is a bumbling noodlehead.
In this tall tale about a short wizard, celebrated author Adam Rex proves once and for all that the biggest heroes often come in the smallest nightgowns.
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ALA/Booklist
Amid the fairy-tale action, Rex embeds heartfelt messaging about friendship, kindness, and gratitude that never gets sappy, and his pencil illustrations inject even more magic into this spellbinding read.
Kirkus
Rejoice, noodlehead fans! Here’s a tale to treasure.
Publishers Weekly
Rex (A Little Like Waking) deftly wraps big themes--friendship, honesty, justice, self-awareness--into an absurdly silly and heartfelt series launch chronicling a wee wizard's quest to become a helpful hero. Cheerful-to-a-fault Gumluck the wizard is ambling through his weekly routine of using magic to clean his house for visitors when he meets a raven named Helvetica--the tale's wise, sarcastic narrator, who frequently addresses readers directly ("Maybe you didn't know you were reading a story told by a raven. If you do not like it, you can leave"). Helvetica observes, via humorous and insightful commentary, as Gumluck does the bidding of rude, ungrateful characters; becomes haunted by a ghost in his hair; and is the subject of the townspeople's ridicule, all in his pursuit of being crowned the Harvest Hero in this year's annual festival. But some tough love from Helvetica and a revelatory nighttime visit from the Truth Fairy spark reflection for Gumluck. Pencil-like b&w illustrations capture the novel's most poignant moments with an animated vibe, depicting Gumluck as a short, roundish figure with wispy black hair whose skin tone reflects the white of the page, in a goofily magical kingdom with a bustling fantastical population. Ages 6-9. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Aug.)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
"Rex can always be counted on for a laugh, and there are many to be found in this early chapter book, namely in the distinct characterizations and Helvetica's snarky asides. Amid the fairy-tale action, Rex embeds heartfelt messaging about friendship, kindness, and gratitude that never gets sappy, and his pencil illustrations inject even more magic into this spellbinding read." — Booklist, starred review
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV045000 - Juvenile Fiction | Readers | Chapter Books
Magic
Wizards
Humorous fiction
Helpfulness
Ravens
Helping behavior
