Tammy and Ken's world seemed to crash to a sudden end when their father first asked, the told them they would be going away to spend the summer at the beach with "mean Aunt Yuri"! They had never met her, only heard how her parents and she had disowned and never communicated with their Nana again once she eloped with the children's grandfather. Their Nana had told them often of her family, especially, of her younger younger sister, Yuri. She gad died without ever hearing from her family again. Now, out of nowhere, Yuri appears. They had never even seen a picture of her! They did not want to leave their father, their home, and their mother, who lay in the hospital bed.

Shortly after they arrived at the beachfront house, Ken devised a plan. Tammy did not really want to consent to his plan but he was older and she did not want to make him mad. In her efforts to assist him, she discovered intriguing things. Ken, soon became occupied in helping a neighbor man, while they both detested Halsey and his irritating grandmother!

The tale swiftly heightens the reader interest from the beginning. As characters and events are added, the story's frenzy increases and ends in an unbelievable conclusion.

The book cover depicts this story very well. It is also very colorful and eye-catching. I believe the title is impeccable. It cleverly enhances a portion of the main storyline. The characters and surrounding scenes are very real.

This would be perfect for mid-elementary age to middle grade students to read. It is also recommended for family or summer program reading. There are incredible points for discussion within this captivating novel.

The review of this book, gives it a Five Stars rating.

This was sent to me for an honest review, of which I have given. ( )

Yuri's Brush with Magic is a book for the preteen to younger teen crowd. Well written and fast moving, it's an easy book to finish in just a few hours (for those of us FAST readers) but still very enjoyable for anyone that isn't a speed reader too. There are many different directions the author takes us in such as art, families, bullying and even Sea Turtle Conservation.

Tammy and Ken start out their time with their Aunt Yuri determined NOT to like her, to make life so difficult that she sends them home. But as time goes on they discover that she isn't as mean as they thought but instead is hurting and has a hard time trusting others to actually care about her. They also meet their neighbor Mr Sol who is handicapped and gives them little chores to do in exchange for Ken learning about nature photography and Sea Turtles. During the time there Tammy learns several of the Japanese folktales from her Aunt Yuri and while she listens the paintings her aunt paints while telling the stories seem to come alive.

This is a wonderful easy reading book that has a lot to say about bullying, standing up for each other and for what's right and learning to sympathize and support those that are hurting or sad. It would be a great book to read at bedtime with your kids or for your kids to read on a rainy afternoon or outside on the lawn.

There is also a great section at the end of the book with Sea Turtle Fun Facts and also an interview with Matthew H Godfrey, PhD, Biologist from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: North Carolina Sea Turtle Project. ( )