The Magic Typewriter

Such a terrific book

When Sammy Baker receives his grandpa's old typewriter for his twelfth birthday, his whole life changes. The magic typewriter allows Sammy to travel through space and time, back to when his grandfather was growing up in the Great Depression. What better way to learn about history and than to really feel it, and experience it firsthand? I hope The Magic Typewriter is the first in a series of books that create adventures for kids much like The Magic Tree House series does—but moreso, since in The Magic Typewriter, the reader feels empathy in a deeper, more heartfelt way that allows us to truly put ourselves in the shoes of someone who lived in a different time and feel what that person did. This is a must-read for all middle grade readers. Paul Korins is a masterful storyteller who truly has a way with magic.

Brilliant! Who would have thought going back in the time when our country went through the Great Depression would bring such heartfelt warmth and tenderness to your soul. It was a hard time to say the least, to find work to put food on the table, but also a time when family togetherness meant everything. The author brought awareness back to us of time and lives forgotten. Of the old "slangs" communicated by the young adults of yesterday and the "slangs" used by today's youths, and who knew of the wonderful game of "stickball". And within this wonderful story is a "who done it" mystery which is certain to blow your mind. - The Magic Typewriter proved to be a truly magically book. A must read!

I've been sitting in the sun on the deck for the last two hours reading The Magic Typewriter. Even though it's a young adult book, I can't tear myself away. I'm ashamed to admit that at 65 I'm learning a lot about the Depression through the character's eyes that I never knew before. It's really, really good!The author is so adept at capturing emotions and writes character descriptions extremely well. If every school assigned this as mandatory reading, kids would would have a deep and unforgettable understanding of what the Great Depression was all about.Back to the book!