Written by Martyn Ford
Despite being recently adopted, 10 year old Tim is lonely. His best friends are his pencil and sketch pad. Tim’s new dad is busy traveling for his work and his new mom is busy scolding him for mussing up the hotel she runs, which happens to be their home. On his way to sneak some treats, Tim meets Professor Eisenstone. The Professor has a secret…he’s created a machine that will create whatever you imagine! Tim not only discovers the box but finds out that he has the power to use it! The Professor is abducted and Tim, his new pet finger monkey Phil, and the Professor’s granddaughter Dee must save him. This book starts with a clever idea, but then gets a bit convoluted at the end. It’s like starting to watch Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium but then have it change to Jumanji 2/3rds of the way through. Some images may be disturbing for younger readers at the story’s conclusion (distorted monster, death, insanity). Perhaps book 2 will be a smoother ride.
Review by Teresa Edmunds, Westbrook Elementary Media Center
Rating: ★★★✩✩ (3 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-6
The Imagination Box
Written by Martyn Ford
Delacorte Press
240 pages
Release Date: August 2, 2016
An ARC was provided by the publisher.
Categories: Elem. – Fiction
Tags: imagination, science, adoption, nightmares, mystery
