3.5 stars. Fun concept and an imaginative magic system. The prose and plot were somewhat underdeveloped, especially for adult taste, but I think the intended middle grade audience will eat it up.

I have a hard time believing that kids would care that the toxites keep them from learning. I can see kids rallying against the toxites if the toxites endangered them physically, but not because they indirectly endanger their education.

A great book for middle readers! Loved the original plot. Will definitely have my kids read this.

I thought this was cute and the writing was decent. The storyline is creative. My 8 yr old son absolutely loves this book and the series, and he's more the intended audience. I probably won't read the rest of the series.

Good; doesn't seem as if as there's much material available to mine as there was in Fablehaven, a book which also has people seeing magical creatures via a special substance; all similarity ends there. Still, I liked it well enough, and will see if he can come up with more storyline.

I really liked this at the beginning. It reminded me of a Brandon Mull book. But then towards the middle what lost it for me was the villains' motive. I couldn't get behind their reasoning of why they did what they did. I didn't make sense. They didn't care if all kids get their brain waves sucked out and don't learn anything. It's like they wanted to to happen, which I can't fathom why.

The ending was fine, and definitely sets up for a sequel.

Cute story. Can't wait to read it to my kids when they get a little older. :)

Just a tad moralistic.

If you are looking for a fun middle grade book that will keep suspense and action child appropriate. This first book was well written and the plot was explained well enough to keep an adult reader engaged through the entire book. Recommend this for any parent with elementary or junior high children.