The Magic Misfits

By: Neil Patrick Harris, Lissy Marlin

Narrated by: Neil Patrick Harris

A New York Times bestseller and USA Today bestselling book! From award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris comes the magical first book in a new series with plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

When street magician Carter runs away, he never expects to find friends and magic in a sleepy New England town. But like any good trick, things change instantly as greedy B.B. Bosso and his crew of crooked carnies arrive to steal anything and everything they can get their sticky fingers on.

After a fateful encounter with the local purveyor of illusion, Dante Vernon, Carter teams up with five other like-minded illusionists. Together, using both teamwork and magic, they'll set out to save the town of Mineral Wells from Bosso's villainous clutches. These six Magic Misfits will soon discover adventure, friendship, and their own self-worth in this delightful new series.

(Psst. Hey, you! Yes, you! Congratulations on reading this far. As a reward, I'll let you in on a little secret... This book isn't just a book. It's a treasure trove of secrets and ciphers and codes and even tricks. Keep your eyes peeled and you'll discover more than just a story--you'll learn how to make your own magic!)

Critic reviews

Praise for The Magic Misfits:
A 2018 Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist for Middle Grade
A 2018-2019 New Hampshire Great Stone Face Book Award Nominee
Nominated for the 2020 Bluestem Award: Illinois' Grades 3-5 Readers' Choice Award
Nominated for the 2019-2020 Nebraska Golden Sower Award (Chapter Books)

"I read this book with excitement, delight, and the increasing suspicion that it was going to make me disappear."—Lemony Snicket, author of the bestselling series A Series of Unfortunate Events and All the Wrong Questions

"An earnest message about discovering the magic in the world and finding the family that suits you."—Kirkus Reviews

"The approachable length and lively, funny writing will ensure this book, the first in a series, performs its own vanishing act from shelves."—Booklist

"A rollicking ride of a magical tale that's wholesomely suspenseful, values friendship, and applauds courage."—School Library Journal

"[A] good choice for fans of Lemony Snicket and Pseudonymous Bosch. With an emphasis on friendship and individuality, this fast-paced and clever series opener should have readers eager to check out future installments."—Publishers Weekly

"Fun...A worthy first volume."—BCCB

"Adventure, suspense, and excitement await these young magic misfits as they learn to trust one another and become friends."—School Library Connection

The way Neil reads the book is just amazing!

Most fun I had reading ever! Neil did a good job reading the book and setting the characters apart really well!

I love magic. And this book was magic!

I'm not a fan of street magic; I like the magic that is this world.

When I heard that Neil Patrick Harris was narrating this book I decided right then to buy it. And I didn't go wrong; it's a fabulous book. I enjoyed it so much all the way through that it rose to the top of my favorite reads. Right up there with Harry Potter and a few other awesome books on my literal and virtual overcrowded bookshelves. I bought it for my seven-year-old grandson and it was the first book he actually listened to, got, and enjoyed, as we rode up and down the hills of Topanga.

This book will hold your attention from the first paragraph to the last; has characters that you will like at once; and has a little mystery that wants to be solved. There's a lot more to it than that but it's 5 o'clock in the morning and I want to see if there's a sequel on Audible so that's enough for now.

NPH is the Greatest

If you love NPH, then this is a must read. Highly recommend to all families. Great lessons to be learned here, for young and old alike.

A surprise find for the family!

I wasn't expecting to like the book myself. I picked it up because my kids had listened to the entire Harry Potter series. Twice. Just riding to and from school and on trips. Anyway, I thought this might be a nice change while keeping with a semi-theme. Not only was Neil Patrick Harris a fabulous narrator, but he wrote a very nice story! The girls loved it (adding it to the short list of books they've asked to hear a second time), and I liked it as well. Looking forward to the second book in the series!

Lovely and magical

I mean NPH is a guaranteed magical narrator, but the story and pace really took me places! Lovely lovely lovely!