The Familiars
By Adam Jay Epstein; Andrew Jacobson
(HarperCollins, Hardcover, 9780061961083, 368pp.)
Publication Date: September 2010
Other Editions of This Title: Google eBook, Paperback, Hardcover
Categories: Action & Adventure - General, Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic, Animals - Cats
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Selected by Indie Booksellers for the Autumn 2010 Kids' Next ListIs the kingdom's fate in the hands of an orphan cat?
Running fast to save his life, Aldwyn ducks into an unusual pet store. Moments later Jack, a young wizard in training, comes in to choose a magical animal to be his familiar. Aldwyn's always been clever. But magical? Jack thinks so—and Aldwyn is happy to play along.
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 powerful cat he claims to be.
Then the unthinkable happens. Jack and two other young wizards are captured by the evil queen of Vastia.
On a thrilling quest to save their loyals, the familiars face dangerous foes, unearth a shocking centuries-old secret, and discover a destiny that will change Vastia forever. Their magical adventure—an irresistible blend of real heart, edge-of-your-seat action, and laugh-out-loud humor—is an unforgettable celebration of fantasy and friendship.
Adam Jay Epstein spent his childhood in Great Neck, New York, while Andrew Jacobson grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but the two met in a parking garage out in Los Angeles. They have been writing together for film and television ever since.
One day, Adam asked Andrew, “Are you familiar with what a familiar is?” And from that simple question, Vastia was born, a fantastical world filled with the authors’ shared love of animals and magic. They wrote every word, sentence, and page together, sitting opposite each other.
Adam Jay Epstein lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jane, their daughter, Penny, and a black-and-white alley cat who hangs out in their backyard. Andrew Jacobson lives with his wife, Ashley, and their dog, Elvis, four traffic lights away.
The Familiars will be produced for film by Sam Raimi and Sony Animation.
“Kids who love animal stories, adventure, fantasy and good humored friendship will be waiting impatiently for the next book in this rich and fantastical trilogy. So get familiar with the Familiars!”
-Becky Anderson, Anderson's Bookshop
“This series opener won’t disappoint. The consistently suspenseful narrative moves quickly and is full of twists and turns. This winning combination of action and humor will keep readers turning pages right up to the ending.”
-School Library Journal (starred review)
“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
“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.”
-Publishers Weekly
This book is on these lists:
Risti's Wish List by ristiBirdie's Wish List by birdie
Chapter Books by MAL-Library
Twitter Book Parties by Mitali Perkins
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