What did you like about the book? All the Colors of Magic is a delightful fantasy about a girl who discovers she is more than she thinks she is. Living with her mother, grandmother, and mysterious cat in a house that resembles (to her) a dragon, ten year old Penelope learns that she is capable of amazing feats – and – that the father who her mother once loved so ardently may not actually be dead. As she comes into her power she sets off to discover the truth and right a wrong. A fine adventure for the under-12s

The title doesn’t fit the story – The only color that figures importantly in the plot is Penelope’s hair. Also, it takes approximately 100 pages for the adventure to truly begin. It feels like a lot of groundwork for a relatively quick payoff. There is also a brief section of the story, in which Penelope meets Gina & family, that takes away from the action more than it adds.

This is a fun read for kids who also enjoy Funke’s The Thief Lord (though this is a younger read) or the Araminta Spook series by Angie Sage. Readers who enjoy this might also like The Secret of Sooty Wick Inn by Lindgren.