The Secret of the Magic Pearl

Praise for The Secret of the Magic Pearl:

A 2021 Booklist Editors' Choice

A 2022 Capitol Choices Book

A Best Middle-Grade Book of the Year 2021 - Kirkus Reviews

? "Beautiful, remarkable, amazing, and wonderful in every way. Sabatinelli provides Hector with a voice that soars with lilting, expressive language, losing nothing in Turner's translation from Italian. Bruno's intensely bright, sharply hued illustrations are a tour de force" -Kirkus Reviews, starred review

? "Hector is an appealing and adorable protagonist, and the glowing descriptions bring the bustling seaside town fully to life. Bruno's accompanying illustrations are an absolute delight . . . An exceptional story that will have young readers longing for the sea." -Booklist, starred review

? "Sabatinelli, making her children's debut, narrates deliberately, swinging between reflection and adventure. Diving scenes and undersea sensations are vividly described, all translated with skill and flair by Turner. Bruno drafts characters and scenery with polished elegance; hand-drawn chapter heading banners, labeled vignettes, and brilliant colors give the pages a luxe feel." -Publishers Weekly, starred review

". . . a handsome book, printed in gorgeous, rich-hued colors, with a thoughtful hero, a first-rate villain, magic, adventure, and a convincing happy ending." -The Horn Book Magazine

"This book has all the trappings of a splendid adventure tale, but it's Iacopo Bruno's illustrations that make it a truly enchanting read . . . adventure, danger and a well-earned happily ever after. Readers are in for a unique treat." -BookPage

"Beautifully illustrated with magical pictures by Iacopo Bruno, this Italian fantasy by Elisa Sabatinelli takes us to a village out of time with a boy who loves the ocean and dreams of diving like his father and grandfather before him. Keep an eye out for this book and the other titles from Red Comet! Bravo!" -Brian Selznick, Caldecott Medal winner

"Looking for a mysterious, fascinating, frightening, wonderful, perfectly illustrated tale from the depths of the sea? You are in luck. The Magic Pearl is calling you." -Jon Scieszka, First National Ambassador of Youth People's Literature

"A magical story book tale with heart and soul. Each radiant page turns like a wave reaching the shore to reveal its truth and beauty-and even a pearl of humanity." -Jack Gantos, Newbery Medal winner

"After reading The Secret of the Magic Pearl, I want to move straight to the tiny Italian fishing village where its hero Hector lives, and become a deep sea diver like him. It's a charming book, spiked with excitement and mystery, paced for extended sitting, and generously illuminated with lush and lively illustrations." -Paul O. Zelinsky, Caldecott Medal winner

"Adventure, wisdom, beauty, dreams, it's all here in this shining pearl of a book, picture perfect for a bedtime read-aloud for your seven/eight-year-old." -Avi, Newbery Medal winner

"Definitely a book to spend time with, not just reading but thoroughly combing through the illustrations, relishing all the details from beginning to end. . . The Secret of the Magic Pearl is a chapter book that combines past and present in a magical story. It will enchant readers in the same way that stories by Kate DiCamillo do." - Randomly Reading Blog

"Wonderfully imaginative, magical, and bursting with superb illustrations. The Secret of the Magic Pearl is everything an excellent story should be and more." - Books to Borrow - Books to Buy, syndicated column

"On his first underwater dive, Hector finds the remarkable magic pearl that protects the divers and fisherfolk of his Italian coastal community. Vivid descriptions, glorious illustrations, and delightful details accompany this tale of a courageous child who must confront the greed of others. " - 2022 Capitol Choices Citation.