Super Jake and the King of Chaos

by Naomi Milliner

Overview

A debut contemporary novel about 11-year-old aspiring magician Ethan, who discovers that heroes come in all sizes, and real magic can be found in the most unexpected places.

When life revolves around stressed-out parents and ER visits for his special needs little brother Jake, eleven-year-old Ethan escapes to a world of top hats, trick decks, and magic wands. When he hears of a junior magic competition where the top prize is to meet and perform with his hero, Magnus the Magnificent, Ethan is determined to do whatever he needs to get there—and to win.

His dedication and hard work pay off, and he makes it to the top five finalists: his dream really could come true! Then Jake falls dangerously ill and Ethan's hopes and plans are in jeopardy. As he searches for any sort of magic that might save Jake, Ethan learns what is truly important . . . and what real magic is.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780762466153
Publisher:	Running Press Book Publishers
Publication date:	05/07/2019
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	1,219,785
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Naomi Milliner has a Bachelor's Degree in English and a Master's in Screenwriting from USC Film School. As a long-time member of SCBWI, she created the Authors Book Club (ABC) for published authors and illustrators to share their journey with other members. She has also served on the Women's National Book Association's Great Group Reads Committee since 2009. She lives in Maryland, with her husband and sons.

Editorial Reviews

"The Millers' love for one another radiates throughout Ethan's witty, introspective narration. Jake is never a burden; his family members include him in fun activities and everyday life as best they can.... A warm, hopeful debut."—-Kirkus Reviews

"Hopeful, humorous, and honest all at once, Super Jake & the King of Chaos shows how, even in the most difficult times, a family's love is its own kind of magic."—John David Anderson, author of Ms. Bixby's Last Day


Aspiring magician Ethan, 11, learns the true meaning of magic in this charming and heartwarming debut. The author based Jake on her own son, and that portrayal lends authenticity to this funny and moving story.—-Booklist, starred review


"Milliner has created a memorable story, right from the first sentence. All the characters are vivid and real, and the plot which could be syrupy and sentimental instead offers no sugary-sweet easy answers, just the real magic of family and how we hold each other."—Marissa Moss, bestselling author of Amelia's Notebook

"This quiet, powerful book is full of charm and heart, but its real magic is humor. Ethan's wit and tenacity transform the story into something truly powerful, a testimony to how love is always worth the fight, the sacrifice and especially the hope for brighter days. Not once does Ethan feel sorry for himself or his brother; his pity is reserved for those who are unable to see past Jake's differences to what really makes him unique-his incredible ability to choose and create joy. Super Jake & the King of Chaos will fill your soul."—Beth Vrabel, author of Caleb and Kit, The Reckless Club, and the Pack of Dorks series


"There is magic, yes! However, at the heart of this well-paced debut lives an extraordinary family that readers will follow right through to the satisfying finish."—Leslie Connor, National Book Award Finalist, The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle


A
strong family story for realistic middle grade fiction shelves.—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

04/01/2019

Gr 4–7—Ethan is an aspiring magician who has been practicing magic since fifth grade and performs for children's birthday parties. He has two younger brothers: Freddie, who can be annoying, and two-year-old Jake, who was born with a neurological disorder. He loves his family, but sometimes feels that life isn't always fair with a brother whose needs consume the family. Ethan wants to perform in front of a real audience and maybe even meet his hero, Magnus the Magnificent. His dreams have the possibility of coming true when he learns about a competition in Atlantic City. He begs his parents to let him attend. They finally agree and then Jake falls gravely ill. His parents are at the hospital for days, so Freddie and Ethan are shuttled to and from their grandparent's, neighbor's, and friend's. There is a great support system for the family as they endure this stressful period. Ethan's mother arranges for a neighbor to accompany Ethan to the competition. He performs perfectly and makes it to the finals. When he calls home to let everyone know, he gets devastating news. Jake has had a setback and no one is sure he will survive. Ethan is torn. Should he finish the competition and possibly have his dreams come true? Or does he go home to support his baby brother? Readers will feel his frustration and fear while rooting for this loving family. Back matter includes instructions for performing some of the magic tricks that are mentioned in the novel. VERDICT A strong family story for realistic middle grade fiction shelves.—Annette Herbert, F. E. Smith Elementary School, Cortland, NY

School Library Journal

2019-03-03

An aspiring magician in Maryland must balance performing with caring for his baby brother, disabled due to brain damage, who's based on Milliner's son.

Eleven-year-old Ethan Miller loves magic. Having honed his tricks at birthday parties with his puckish 7-year-old brother, Freddy, as his assistant, Ethan's determined to compete at Magic Fest in Atlantic City; the winner gets to meet his hero, Magnus the Magnificent! Unfortunately, getting his parents' permission—and attention—is tough. Born with brain damage that's left him unable to move or speak and prone to extreme internal temperature fluctuations, Ethan's baby brother, Jake, almost 2, requires constant care. But when Jake falls seriously ill, Ethan learns that Jake is "the real magician in [his] family." Though the author sympathetically acknowledges the stress of Jake's condition and Ethan's occasional feelings of neglect, the Millers' love for one another radiates throughout Ethan's witty, introspective narration. Jake is never a burden; his family members include him in fun activities and everyday life as best they can. However, there's no question that Jake's primary role in the plot is to inspire Ethan—a tired trope. Ethan's Jewish faith inflects his story, from his observation of Yom Kippur to thought-provoking discussions of disability and God's will. Some characters are stock, and some conflicts resolve via incredible coincidences—but, as Ethan notes, magic is "a mysterious, seemingly inexplicable" force, after all. As a fun finale, Ethan teaches five magic tricks. Most characters appear white; one of Ethan's friends is East Asian.

A warm, hopeful debut. (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews

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