“The Incredibly Amazing and Magical Flying Chair” by Bob Shumaker & Nancy Machlis Rechtman

• 11/09/2023
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The Incredibly Amazing and Magical Flying Chair

Bob Shumaker, Nancy Machlis Rechtman
AuthorHouse (2023)
ISBN: 979-8823011358
Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Reader Views  (10/2023)

“The Incredibly Amazing and Magical Flying Chair: Part I” by Bob Shumaker and Nancy Machlis Rechtman, is an exciting character-driven middle-grade book full of magic, action, and adventure. This wonderfully woven story centers on seventh-grader Noah Gibson, who just happens to have magic in his bloodline.  When his magician father disappears, Noah takes on the challenge of solving the mystery. Is his overactive imagination an asset or a liability?

One clue he follows is the magical reading chair up in the attic. According to Noah, this chair has the magical power to transport you anywhere you want to go if you’re sitting in it. His family and friends aren’t sure what to make of this. A half-truth he tells his teacher and classmates leads to hard-to-believe stories about summer vacation, prompting him to get to the truth about the reading chair. Is it really magic, or has his imagination gotten the best of him? If the chair can do what he says, he may be able to save his father and bring him back home.

Shumaker and Rechtman bring young readers a thrilling story that is both clever and entertaining. Stories of magic appeal to most young audiences, and this one has extras: it has family, friends, school, and reading–relatable elements that ground the reader and help you believe even more. The interactions between the characters seem natural, the pace is pitch-perfect, the dialogue is fresh, and the brief but satisfying story is pretty irresistible. A magical reading chair? Yes! An awesome idea.

I also like that Noah’s bright imagination sometimes gets him into a bit of hot water–it’s so seventh-grade and endearing. I also like how the book has multiple instances of the illustration of the reading chair with a magician’s hat on the seat, a constant reminder of Noah’s quest to find his dad. It leaves you wanting more, in a good way. Now for Part 2! If you are looking for a middle-grade book with a lot of energy and heart, “The Incredibly Amazing and Magical Flying Chair: Part I” by Bob Shumaker and Nancy Machlis Rechtman, is sure to win you over.