The Marvelous Effect

By Troy CLE

Book Overview

Louis Proof is an ordinary kid. He loves listening to hip-hop, racing radio-controlled cars, and hanging out with his best friend, Brandon. Then a mysterious letter invites him to visit the local junkyard. There he finds a secret, underground amusement park like no other in existence. This is the best day of Louis's life. The park even has the most amazing race course for radio-controlled cars. Louis starts racing right away. It's a close contest; he's about to activate his nitro boost to take the lead, when... This is the worst day of Louis's life. Without warning or reason, thirteen-year-old Louis Proof falls into a coma due to a virus of a mysterious, celestial origin. When he awakens three months later, the world that he once knew and loved is totally out of control. He will learn that his illness is connected to everything that is wrong, and that it's not only his responsibility but his destiny to set things right. This story is a megadramatic, remarkably true, super action fantasy. Get ready

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 141693958X
• ISBN13: 9781416939580
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

Great Reading

I purchased this book after hearing the author talking about it on TV. My pre-teen loves this book. I have purchased books in the past but this is the first she started reading and can't stop talking about it. This was one of my best purchases and at a great price.

The Marvelous World

This is a beautifully written book that will instantly engage even a reluctant reader. It's fun, it's deep, it's alive with a lively plot and creative setting. I use it for an urban book club. Most of my kids have never read a book over 100 pages, yet they finished this book ahead of schedule. It's a very smart book with great vocabulary and themes that are rich for discussuion. This author has written a book that kids can see, hear and feel.

"Proof" is in the pudding...

This is a great read for kids. It's not over simplified, yet it has an ease to it that anyone can enjoy. The story centers around a pre-teen named Louis Proof who, refreshingly, enjoys pre-teen things, like music, racing games and hanging with his friends. All of that is threatened upon the arrival of a sinister being from another dimension who wants to bring chaos to Mr. Proof's. One day Louis falls ill, and when he awakens he is no longer a little boy, but a superhero. It becomes Louis' duty to stop this foe. Ofcourse he gets alot of help from his loving family, friends, some benevolent superbeings, as well as a glowing blue weapon called an "Alonis". What Louis learns along the Journey might be more important then the inevitable head to head battle. This book treats our kids as very adept young people, as is often overlooked in our society. They aren't super smart semi-adults with huge vocabularys, and they are not half-wits who constantly need things explained to death. The dialogue seems very true to form in young urban areas. The story doesn't really throw alot of twists at you, and some of the specifics might escape a more diligent reader, however it is loads of pure fun. This looks like a good start to a Great series. Honestly I'd give it 4.5 stars (There is a room for improvement) but i don't believe in rounding down. lol

The kids loved it!

Any book that gets the kids reading is a great book to me. But 'The Marvelous Effect' was a fun read for me, too. I had heard the comparisons to Harry Potter, but found the story to be original and interesting. The main characters are kids, and there are good and bad guys, but that's where the similarities end. The basic concept is that two young boys (Louis Proof and his friend, Brandon) and Louis's little cousin, Lacey, have this great adventure against the bad guys from another dimension. I found the characters adorable but not icky where the boys wouldn't want to read the book. They are a little street at times, which I think makes the books kool for the kidz! 4 out of 4 liked it, aged 11, 12 and 13.

Lots of Adventures and Actions

I love this book. I think it is very original, creative, and funny. It is about a boy who is stricken with a strange illness and when he wakes up. The world is a lot different than he remembered. He goes on a quest to find out why it is all happening. Although this book has an African-American protagonist and characters, it is for kids of all different races. I advise future reviewers to please read the book before you compare it to any books out there. I am not about to give away all of the story. Read it for yourself. You will enjoy it.