Suitcase of Stars (Enchanted Emporium)

Description

Have you heard of Cinderella's glass slipper? What about Sinbad the Sailor's Flying Carpet? In this world, there are many magical items -- but only one place where they're safe: the Enchanted Emporium. For centuries, seven families have competed for ownership of the Emporium -- and some of them are willing to do whatever it takes to get their hands on the powerful items housed within. Only Aiby Lily and her friend, Finley, have what it takes to stop the Emporium from falling into the wrong hands.

Pierdomenico Baccalario was born on March 6, 1974, in Acqui Terme, a small and beautiful town of Piedmont, Italy. While attending law school, Baccalario won an award for his novel, The Road Warrior. It was one of the most beautiful days of his entire life. From that moment on, Baccalario wrote and published novels. Iacopo Bruno is an illustrator and graphic designer living in Milan, Italy. He has illustrated many books, including the Enchanted Emporium series as well as Sherlock, Lupin, and Me.

...a fast-paced, clever book. . . .Readers will appreciate the short chapters; the plentiful white space; and the intricate, detailed pencil drawings at the end of each chapter showing the different magical items that the Lily family have in their shop. . . .this first book in a new series will appeal to fans of Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black's"The Spiderwick Chronicles" (S. & S.).-- "School Library Journal" Bruno's detailed black and white drawings clearly illustrate the magical objects.-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Online" Fresh off the Century Quartet, Baccalario (City of Wind, 2011) brings middle readers another fun fantasy adventure with the new Enchanted Emporium series. . . .The story builds slowly, but it gradually picks up speed and zips along to the conclusion, with the promise of more series entries in the future. And for a special bonus, illustrated catalog pages for mystical items like Golden Ink, Spirit Powder, and the Trip Stick are peppered throughout the tale.-- "Bookllist Online" The magical action...is enjoyable, Finley and Aiby are an engaging and intrepid pair, and the interspersed illustrations and descriptions of various magical items (pages from the Lilys' Big Book of Magical Objects) are intriguing. Kids...may find plenty to entertain them in the scenes of magic gone awry.-- "Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (BCCB)"