Return to Finkleton by KC. Hilton - ADVISABLE

Hilton, K.C., Return to FInkleton. CreateSpace, 2012. Pgs. 210. Language: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: G

Living with their Great Uncle Harry and helping in his shop, Robert, Lizzy, and Jack has discovered some magical secrets. In the first book Magic of Finkleton, the trio was able to stop their nemesis, Mr. Lowsley’s dastardly plot to try and force people into selling their house to him by fixing the lever under the counter of their uncle’s shop. That lever controlled the rain in Finkleton. Now, a new lever has appeared. When Robert discovers a secret room under his uncle’s study, he also discovers a lever that creates lightning in Finkleton. When he pulls the lever, he finds out that Miss Caroline, a friend of the family’s, house has burned down. To make matters worse, the hourglasses in the shop, that somehow help to control the weather, malfunction and Robert accidentally blurts the problem out to his uncle in front of Mr. Lowsley. Now Mr. Lowsley is threatening Robert and his family if Robert doesn’t tell the magical secret of Finkleton. Thinking that he can get past all of the bad things and prevent himself from betraying his family, Robert messes with a clock in his uncle’s study that’s supposed to go forward or backward. Unfortunately, he not only winds the clock forward, but manages to break just as he gets 25 years into the future. Can Robert figure out a way to fix the clock, save Finkleton from Mr. Lowsley, and fix the problem he created?

A delightful, time travel fantasy. The characters are likable and realistic. The plot is well-developed, well-paced, and entertaining. Readers who have read the first book in the series will have an easier time following this book, but it can be read without having read the first one. Fans of fantasy, adventure, time travel, and magic will enjoying reading this book.

EL, MS. ADVISABLE

Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.