Name: Suitcase of Stars
ISBN: 9781434265197

Pierdomenico Baccalario

Finley McPhee is an ordinary thirteen-year-old living outside a small town in northern Scotland--until he meets Aiby Lily and is caught up in the deadly, centuries-old fight for ownership of the Enchanted Emporium, where genuinely magical items are safely stored.

Suitcase of Stars

Jessica Nottingham

So, I'd definitely target this to younger readers. Maybe readers who are moving their way on up from more wordy picture books, into the world of chapter books. Suitcase of Stars has a great premise, and a really quick moving plot. The downside, is that it's extremely simplistic. Which, again, is great for emerging readers! Just maybe not for the entire Middle Grade set.
 
This was a sweet story about Finley McPhee, a boy with his head in the clouds and penchant for unknowingly causing trouble. I admit, I wasn't 100% sold on the reasoning behind why Finley ended up in his magical situation. It almost had an air of "school isn't important" about it. I was willing to forgive it though, because Finley's opinion of school is fleeting and only sets him up to meet the people who will forever change his life.
 
I did enjoy the fact that there are riddles used copiously in this story, as well as references to magical items from well known fairy tales. I also loved the fact that Finley's dog, Patches, is such a big part of the story. A boy, and his dog. Getting caught up in all sorts of adventure. It's the type of story that a lot of young readers will really enjoy, especially because Patches is so brave. In fact, all the characters are pretty interesting. Maybe not as well fleshed out as they could be, but interesting just the same.
 
A solid three stars to this book. It's quite possible that the subsequent books in this series go more in depth on Finley and his friends. I might have to find out! In the meantime, I'd state once again that this seems like a great book for emerging readers. A little magic, a little mischief, and a quick moving plot.