She might not be as photogenic as Harry Potter, but the charming Molly Moon makes up the difference in pluck in this somewhat similar story of a put-upon English orphan who finds that she has abilities beyond her wildest imagining.

Georgia Byng's debut novel has already swept to such success that it's due for translation in over 20 countries, with a movie version following close behind (produced by Harry Potter's David Heyman, natch). And with such a genuinely likeable (if straightforward) story and heroine, it's not hard to see why. Molly Moon struggles to survive in Hardwick House, an orphanage apparently run by and for caricatures--the beastly mistress Miss Adderstone and her bad-tempered pug, the muscly Gordon Boils (who tattooed "KING GORD" on the fingers of his fists with a compass and ink), creepy Roger Fibbin with his "sharp nose and cold, spying eyes." But as all wish-fulfillment adventures must go, Molly's life is changed one fateful day, as an arcane book draws out her special talent--she can hypnotize anybody to do anything she wants!

Byng makes good use of her otherwise mundane cast with plenty of wry asides (like Molly's fixation on the transformative promise of advertising), great running jokes (especially the metamorphosis of the orphanage's hard-boiled cook into a proud Italian capocuoco), some clever plot sleight-of-hand, and ample funny descriptions (as when Molly finds herself in the Royal Suite at the Waldorf: "She wasn't sure about the Jacuzzi. It was like ten monsters farting in her bath all at once."). (Ages 9 to 12) --Paul Hughes


From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-Orphan Molly Moon is unloved and unlovely. The other children pick on her, as do the mean-spirited women who run Hardwick House Orphanage. Molly occasionally escapes to the Briersville library to avoid them all. One day she finds a mysterious tome on hypnotism hidden in the stacks and discovers her real talent. With her newfound skill, she is able to change her luck and her life, getting out of the orphanage to win the local talent competition, and ending up in New York City, where she hypnotizes the entire city into making her a child star. However, evil Professor Nockman will stop at nothing to get the book. A flashy, holographic cover will attract readers. Most of the characters within begin as caricatures, either very good or (more often) very, very bad. Their outlandish adventures are reminiscent of those of the Baudelaire siblings in Lemony Snicket's popular "A Series of Unfortunate Events" books (HarperCollins) with some big differences. Molly Moon's story doesn't match their clever and elegant way with words, but it does have something they lack-a satisfying and very moral ending. There is no cliff-hanger here, as Molly atones for the conniving and devious use of her skills, goes back to the orphanage to make amends, and even uses her talents to turn the worst of the bad guys into good guys. Recommend this lengthy novel to fans of Lemony Snicket's books and similar adventures.Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Literature is full of poor orphaned little girls, but this particular orphan, Molly Moon, takes control of her life and gains confidence and power through a special book on hypnotism. To realistic, familiar concerns, Byng adds enough fantasy and suspense to create an exciting adventure. Kate Burton's strong British accent and clear enunciation create a cast of old and young, male and female characters. Her children's voices bring to life the bullies and the innocents of school and neighborhood life while her adult voices enhance the dramatic contrasts, providing extra structure for the slowly building plot. Her pacing--from clipped speech to slow, ponderous meanderings--builds the suspense to a realistic, rather than fantasy, ending, leaving questions of morality and ethics. W.L.S. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


The Sunday Times (London)
"Spellbinding reading."


Book Description
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Hypnotism

Molly Moon is no ordinary orphan. When she finds a mysterious old book on hypnotism, she discovers she can make people do whatever she wants. But a sinister stranger is watching her every move and he'll do anything to steal her hypnotic secret...


Card catalog description
Unlucky and unloved, Molly Moon, living in a dreary orphanage in a small English town, discovers a hidden talent for hypnotism and hypnotizes her way to stardom in New York City.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
First-time author Georgia Byng mesmerizes audiences with an entrancing tale about a down-and-out orphan who hypnotizes her way to big-time adventures.

Molly Moon is treated like dirt in her squat English orphanage, with only her pal Rocky, starry Qube soda ads, and the library stacks to give her comfort. After she discovers Hypnotism: An Ancient Art Explained in her favorite library spot, Molly begins learning the ropes and takes mental control of Petula, the orphanage's grumpy pug dog, and the nasty staff members. But when Molly finds out that Rocky's been suddenly adopted in New York, she hypnotizes her way to the city, into Broadway stardom, and -- unfortunately -- into a wicked professor's plot to rob a high-security bank. Thankfully, though, she and Rocky finally meet up, and with a few surprises, the two hatch a plan to set things right for themselves and for their orphanage.

A dazzling story that features a magnetic heroine with heart, Byng's adventure will lure readers from the start and won't let them go. Molly's abilities are enough to make any budding hypnotism aficionado envious, and while she uses them self-advancement in the beginning, they become a force for good as she grows as a person and as a friend. There's enough lighthearted reading here to keep any kid's eyes... from...getting...heavy.... Matt Warner

ANNOTATION

Unlucky and unloved, Molly Moon, living in a dreary orphanage in a small English town, discovers a hidden talent for hypnotism and hypnotizes her way to stardom in New York City.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Molly Moon has spent her entire life in a miserable orphanage run by the hairy, snaggletoothed Miss Adderson. But when she finds a mysterious book, Molly discovers an extraordinary talent -- she can hypnotize anyone! Accompanied by Petula the pug, Molly hypnotizes her way to New York and Broadway stardom. But hot on her trail is the sinister professor, who is determined to use Molly to stage the crime of a century.

Prepare to be dazzled by this sparklingly funny and original adventure story that debuted in the UK to rave reviews and top rankings in the children's best-seller charts. This is Georgia Byng's first middle grade novel.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

"Seemingly ordinary events take unexpected turns, leading Avi's middle-school heroes and heroines (and readers) to profound, often disturbing truths," said PW in a starred review. "The author is in top form constructing these seven surprising stories." Ages 10-14. (Apr.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Connie Van Hoven

Ah, hypnotism: a subject sure to grab and hold young readers' attention. Follow the adventures of orphan Molly Moon as she escapes a life in England so dismal it is humorous: bath water at the orphanage is measured in centimeters and dinner is slimy fish slathered in greasy cheese and nut sauce. Of course Hardwick House is stocked with suitable villains, including a smarmy headmistress who spends three hours every Saturday having her bunions and corns attended to, and fellow orphan Gordon Boils who makes snot sandwiches and eats them! The only bright spot in Molly's life is her best friend Rocky. When Rocky is suddenly adopted and whisked away to America, Molly decides she has to escape. Molly's ticket to fame and fortune is a book of hypnotism techniques she finds at the library. First, she wins a cash prize at a talent show by hypnotizing the audience and then it's off to New York City. In the Big Apple, Molly becomes the darling of Broadway, reunites with Rocky, foils a bank robber, and saves her pug, Petula. Molly Moon is a likable and predictably plucky heroine￯﾿ﾽa mix of Little Orphan Annie and Harry Potter. Toward the end of the book the tone becomes a bit preachy on several subjects, most notably what truly brings us happiness￯﾿ﾽcertainly not fame or fortune, but friends. 2002, HarperCollins,

Library Journal

Gr 4-6-The melodramatic tale of a much-abused orphan who discovers a hidden talent and escapes from a brutal home life may seem familiar, but author Georgia Byng has created a character who is much larger than the talent she unleashes (HarperCollins, 2003). Molly Moon's life at Hardwick House for Orphans is terrible. Things seem their darkest when her best friend Rocky is adopted and leaves for America. Molly ocassionally hides in the library, and one day she stumbles upon a book of hypnotism and learns that all of the qualities for which her classmates have teased her are actually assets to a hypnotist. Molly cleverly hones her skills and hypnotizes her way to Broadway, fame, and fortune. Evil Professor Nockman knows of the book's powers, and will stop at nothing to use the book and Molly to achieve his evil goals. Molly, a strong and principled character, never loses sight of what really matters in life, and the final chapters find her back at Hardwick House, bravely leading the other children to a better way of life. Kate Burton brings the rags-to-riches story to life with a broad range of voices and accents, from a cultured British tone to a gruff Chicago snarl. Her British pronunciations add genuineness to the text, and her soft and introspective voice of Molly makes her an even more sympathetic character, contrasting well with the other characters. Fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events and the Harry Potter books will appreciate this plucky little orphan, and will hope for a sequel. David Heyman, producer of the Harry Potter movies, has bought the book's motion picture rights.-MaryAnn Karre, Horace Mann Elementary School, Binghamton, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Orphan Molly Moon is unloved and unlovely. The other children pick on her, as do the mean-spirited women who run Hardwick House Orphanage. Molly occasionally escapes to the Briersville library to avoid them all. One day she finds a mysterious tome on hypnotism hidden in the stacks and discovers her real talent. With her newfound skill, she is able to change her luck and her life, getting out of the orphanage to win the local talent competition, and ending up in New York City, where she hypnotizes the entire city into making her a child star. However, evil Professor Nockman will stop at nothing to get the book. A flashy, holographic cover will attract readers. Most of the characters within begin as caricatures, either very good or (more often) very, very bad. Their outlandish adventures are reminiscent of those of the Baudelaire siblings in Lemony Snicket's popular "A Series of Unfortunate Events" books (HarperCollins) with some big differences. Molly Moon's story doesn't match their clever and elegant way with words, but it does have something they lack-a satisfying and very moral ending. There is no cliff-hanger here, as Molly atones for the conniving and devious use of her skills, goes back to the orphanage to make amends, and even uses her talents to turn the worst of the bad guys into good guys. Recommend this lengthy novel to fans of Lemony Snicket's books and similar adventures.-Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews