Magic Below Stairs

Gr 4—7—When Frederick Lincoln, an orphan, is chosen to be trained as a footman in the house of Thomas Schofield, he brings nothing with him—or so it seems. The boy is actually accompanied by Billy Bly, a hardworking but mischievous brownie. Are Frederick's uncanny boot-polishing and cravat-tying skills due to his own eagerness to be useful, or to a budding magical talent helped along by Billy Bly? The wizard Schofield soon becomes aware of Billy's help and Frederick's natural gifts. However, he is not aware that the lingering remains of an old curse lurk in the walls of his ancestral home, threatening his own life and those of his wife and unborn child. Frederick and Billy must find a way to stop the curse before it is too late. This cozy tale of household magic, complete with a dash of adventure and a pinch of danger, will have children cheering for Frederick as he finds his way in his new home. Stevermer's readers will enjoy seeing characters from some of her earlier works make an appearance, and fans of Diana Wynne Jones and Patricia C. Wrede will appreciate this delightful Victorian fantasy.—Misti Tidman, Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, KY