Circle of Doom

By Tim Kennemore

(2001, 2003) ISBN 0374312842

While Circle of Doom ultimately proves to be quite a delight and the reader may be sorry to say goodbye to the Sharp Family on the last page, Circle of Doom does commence on somewhat of an unhappy note.

The Sharp Family children, Lizzie, thirteen years of age, and her two younger brothers, ten year old Dan and seven year old Max, are very upset with their next door neighbors, the elderly Mr. and Mrs. Potward.  It turns out that Mr. and Mrs. Potward insist on just about absolute quiet in their neighborhood, a neighborhood which would seem to already have too much of that the quality.  After all, the entire neighborhood consists solely of Cleve Cottage, the Sharp home and the Briars, the Potward home.  There are no neighboring houses within the range of a fifteen minute walk and, even worse and disappointing to the Sharp children, there are no children within less than a forty-five minute walk away.

The Sharp children, and in particular Lizzie, decide to take matters in their own hands.  Lizzie has recently decided that that she might possesses magical powers and doing something about the grumpy neighbors seems a worthy first magical project.  While Lizzie receives resistance from the skeptical Dan, the youngest sibling Max actually believes in his sister’s powers, agrees to help Lizzie with her first magical potion making.

While the first Sharp attempt at magic appears to be extremely successful and Lizzie sees herself embarked on a career as a witch, it is the skepticism of Dan and the existence of Max’s great friends, the Dumplings (otherwise known to the Sharps as imaginary friends of Max’s) that will ultimately cause great changes to the relationships between the three siblings and all three will achieve personal growth, in particular, Max.

This book is recommended both for the emphasis it places on relationships within a family as well as the fun and entertainment within its pages.  It is a treasure discovered by chance and readers, including tweens, will gain much enjoyment within its pages.