Imagine you are a no account nerd who lives in a foster home and has no friends. Also imagine that you have been sickly all of your life and you can understand how Simon feels. He has no friends and is always pushed around by the biggest school bully, Butch, who also lives at the same foster home as Simon. His foster mother Mrs. Trimble tries to console Simon after his latest run in with Butch when she tells him what she knows about his mother and gives him the medallion she has been holding for him until he was old enough to receive it. All of a sudden strange things start to happen. Simon is running for his life from Butch’s goons when he Tonya, a strange girl, who says she is from Paraworld 4329. To make matters even more out-of-the-world, Tonya has the ability to perform magic with a magic wand. Simon sees her perform magic in the most unlikely circumstances he is forced to flee for his life with Tonya from the army bent on capturing her. When fleeing from this army, Simon somehow catapults Tonya, Butch, and himself from Earth into the parastream and his adventure has just begun.

Mr. Peterson has begun what looks like could become the next big young adult series. I was spellbound from the very beginning. I loved how someone a average as Simon turned out to be more than anyone could ever imagine. It was fascinating to watch as he was able to perform magic spells without training, but with incredible power. Tonya with her chameleon-like abilities and magical powers, is perfect as a match to teach and learn from Simon. The descriptions of each new situation brought the scenes to life for the reader to become immersed and live through the characters themselves. I for one will be waiting to find out what adventures Tonya and Simon have lying in waiting for them. Thanks go to Mr. Peterson for what looks like the first book in an incredible series!

Reviewed by: Teresa