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Fans of Magical Coming-of-Age Stories: Don’t Miss Neil Patrick Harris’ The Magic Misfits
People love magic. It gives us something to believe in when our brains tell us there is no way a trick is possible. At every magic show I have ever gone to, I sit perfectly still, mystified by the illusions. Every sleight of hand, every person who disappears, evokes amazement and awe. It’s this adoration for magic that drew me to Neil Patrick Harris’ debut middle grade novel, The Magic Misfits. My being of the age where I remember Harris in television’s Doogie Howser, M.D. as well as How I Met Your Mother (and a slightly-obsessed fan of both) aside, I was eager to read his first foray into middle grade writing because the story spoke to me.
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A young orphan teenager named Carter has only seen the dark side of magic. Left in the custody of his greedy Uncle Sly, Carter’s forced to be part of his uncle’s “magical” schemes and trickery. After reaching his breaking point, Carter takes matters into his own hands and runs away on a train to a town he’s never heard of. Left on his own, he swears there’s no such thing as real magic, especially after a shady group of clowns and traveling circus folk try to convince him to be part of their trickery.
But all that changes when fate brings him to the never-before-heard-of town Mineral Wells, and more importantly to the incredible Mr. Vernon and his entertaining daughter, Leila. It’s at Mr. Vernon’s magic shop that he not only discovers new illusions and wonderment, but also the power of friendship. Leila and her “misfit” friends bring Carter into their secret club and for the first time, Carter begins to understand what true magic looks like.
This book touches on many things things a middle schooler experiences, including struggles with friendship and family, and the slow discovery of who they really are, as well as their place in the world around them. From fighting self-doubt to finding new friends, Carter’s journey to learning what “magic” really means is one will delight readers of all ages. On top of that, comedic interludes break up the story and lessen the tension. From tips on how to do specific magic tricks, to hidden codes and messages, to an explanation for why there is no thirteenth chapter, Neil Patrick Harris’ famous sense of humor is woven throughout the novel.
And make sure you don’t pigeonhole this into a book just for middle grade readers. Based on how much I smiled and how eager I was to turn each page, this is definitely a book for readers of any age. Even 43 year-old mothers who remember when Neil Patrick Harris went through puberty himself. Perhaps that’s why he understands his target age group so well. Or maybe it’s just a little bit of magic.