The Magic of Finkleton (Finkleton, #1)

The Magic of Finkleton (Finkleton #1)

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3.83 of 5 stars 3.83  ·  rating details  ·  187 ratings  ·  69 reviews
Most folks say, "Mother Nature controls the rain." However this is not the case in the village of Finkleton.

In the perfect little village of Finkleton, the weather is always perfect. Every farm grows the best, biggest, healthiest crops in the entire world, and everyone is happy.

Soon after the Finkles inherit their Uncle Harry's shop and move to Finkleton, they discover mag...more
Paperback, 184 pages
Published April 26th 2011 by CreateSpace (first published March 16th 2011)

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Teresa Geering
THE MAGIC OF FINKLETON BY KC HILTON

I have yet to read a book from the Night Publishing stables that has not left me in awe of the brilliant writing ability of it’s authors.

The Magic of Finkleton by KC Hilton is no exception.

William Finkles’ uncle dies unexpectedly leaving his store and home to his nephew. Ironically Williams’ family home is burnt to the ground at exactly the same time. So the family due to this qwerk of fate relocate to the village of Finkleton.
Sceptics would say ‘coincidence...more
Ashlee
How is this possibly boring??
Full review at: http://generalconfessions.weebly.com/...

**Edit: After reading an ARC of Return to Finkleton, I have decided that I loved that one much more than this and believe I will give this one four stars instead of the initial five. Still love this one though!
Carolyn
I absolutely loved this book. Great imagination and fun for me to read. I can easily see this book as the perfect bedtime story.
Nikki
Mar 19, 2012 Nikki rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: young readers
Overall this was a good book.

*** Spoiler Below ***

Hourglasses controlling the weather. Who would have thought?

Uncle Harry Finkle owns a shop and breaks a string to an hourglass just before he dies. Immediately the mystery of these hourglasses pull the reader into the story. At the same time his newphew's home is destroyed by a severe storm. Again, the broken hourglass string and the unexplained storm are a mystery. Awesome prologue and major hook.

The Finkle family moves to Finkleton to run Uncle...more
Frankie
Feb 13, 2011 Frankie rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: children, middle grade, young adult, adult
I had the great honor of reading The Magic of Finkleton when it was in a writer's forum. It was of course the un-edited version.

This story will draw you in from the start and hooks you at the end of each chapter.

As an adult I quite enjoyed the story and wanted to get a child's point of view (I was curious) so I read it to my children (laptop in hand) before they went to bed (it took a few evenings) but they enjoyed it very much!

As a parent I loved the many questions they had at the end of each...more
Sally
Okay! I was lucky enough to read this after the truly awesome K.C. Hilton sent me a copy! I was just leaving for the airport on Saturday when I saw the post had arrived and luckily I had a few seconds spare to open the envelope and see what was inside - and then excitedly pop the book into my bag because it's a small, light paperback that would not break my back to carry to Amsterdam and back.

At 184 pages and with a compelling storyline, it's a very quick read - I ended up finishing it while sti...more
Regina
Sep 02, 2011 Regina rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone
Recommended to Regina by: Friend
Magic of Finkleton, filled with mystery and wonders. I really enjoyed how the story wraps around the kids (siblings). By reading this, I couldn't help but think of my siblings, we may bicker about a few things but we do come together when we need too. I personally feel like this book is a teaching when it comes to family. Family backs each other up and protects each other, that is what this family, especially the kids do in the story once it gets going. This story has a lot of character and just...more
Linda
Had I not won The Magic of Finkleton as a Goodreads giveaway, I probably would not have had the opportunity to read the book. What a happy bit of fate that I won! This is a most enjoyable young-reader book. As I read it, I was reminded of the Boxcar children. The children in this book work together to solve their problems and help the community, without their parents finding out about the secrets that are hidden in there new place where they live. I like that the story stresses the power of know...more
Debra
For a more detailed review, please visit my blog -

Debra's Book Cafe

Thank you

Debs
Krista (CubicleBlindness Reviews)
Very cute short story that I think children will enjoy. The beginning of the story is full of mystery and intrigue, you are not sure what is going on and as the children begin to discover new mysteries inside their new store and house in Finkleton, the interesting part for me was the fact that each children figure out a piece of the puzzle and by talking with each other start piecing them together.
Finkleton is a magical place with interesting characters, I hope we meet more of them as the stori...more
Betty
Returned me to the magic of childhood!

This book, though written for children, can encompass all ages in the way of fairy tales of yore. A magical time when things are not what they seem. Well-written to keep anticipation coming, and flows with mystery and curiosity. An old shopkeeper dies and the village farms of Finkleton are instantly inundated with rain. At the same time a home in another village is struck by lightning and burned. What is happening with the weather?

The home that was destroyed...more
Jonathan Evans
In these days of horror and starvation, endless vampires and witchcraft on every TV and Cinema screen who wouldn't be at a loss to think the devil was at work. So it is a pure joy to read, ney endulge and get totally lost into the delightful world of FINKLETON. As an Englishman - well Welshman actually with family links to the aristocracy and a fair knowledge of his language, the idea of an American author from deepest Kentucky writing about a quaint mystical place called Finkleton near Bath (on...more
Laura
When I saw this book's gorgeous cover and read the glowing reviews, I got this book for my kids so we could discover along with the Finkle kids the secrets they stumble upon in Finkleton. After reading the synopsis to my daughter she told me outright that it sounded very predictable. She didn't seem excited as I was to read it along with me. Nonetheless, I snuggled with my kids on the bed and began reading. The first chapter was promising but by the third chapter, my son told me there was too mu...more
Billy
After their house is mysteriously burnt, the Finkles learn that their Uncle Harry had died the exact same night, and he left all his belongings to them, including his general store. The Finkles pack up what didn’t burn in the fire and move to Finkleton to start a new life. The three children are Jack, Lizzy, and Robert, who are all uniquely different from another. Jack is the oldest and thinks he is the brightest. He enjoys numbers and organizing things. Lizzy is the bookworm of the family, and...more
Bunny
Jun 27, 2011 Bunny added it
Recommended to Bunny by: K.C. Hilton
**Originally posted on my site BUNNYCATES.COM **

My Thoughts:

I was sent a copy of this book from the author. She, like us, is from Kentucky so I couldn’t wait for it to show up! I think I was more excited about it coming then Sis was! Can I just take a moment to comment on the cover art. GORGEOUS!

Sis (age 10) and I read this one as a “read together” book. Each night, each of us would read a chapter aloud. I really enjoyed it. It was great mommy/daughter time, and the story was fun and different...more
Debbie
Their house burning down left few choices for the Finkle family. Taking over their recently deceased Uncle Harry’s general store in Finkleton was their only option. Arriving in the small England village after hearing father’s stories of Uncle Harry and his store, each of the three children were intrigued just enough to be looking forward to exploring everything. After a modicum of unpacking, they all wanted to look at the store and the house, Jack was the oldest and was looking forward to learni...more
Bobbi Rightmyer
The world of Finkleton is a fun new world for children to love. What is the secret of the room of hour glasses and why are there strings attached to each one? Does the lever in the General Store really have an effect on the weather?
Mr. Henry Finkle is the owner of the General Store in the town of Finkleton. It seems that people came to Finkle's General Store not just to buy goods, but also to inquire about the weather.

When Mr. Finkle died, he left his house and store to his nephew, William Finkl...more
Daniel Osborn
The Magic of Finkleton is a book that I would recommend to those who are a fan of low-to-middle grade books. We go on a magical fantastical journey through mysterious levers and hourglasses that control a lot in the town of Finkleton. The town is named after the family in which the story takes a main part of.

I am not a fan of people that say if you like this book than you will like this but I am going to for this one. If you are a fan of the spiderwick chronicles and ever read the box car child...more
Mona
I found the book to be well thought out and very conceptualized characters. It was quite an easy read for my taste but I will be let my son read it as soon as he is old enough to read. I am very thankful for being chosen to read this book from the giveaways. I personally will not read a book if I can not get into it with in the first chapter. I found that I not only enjoyed the first chapter but had to finish the entire book. Although I find this book a bit rudimentary, I will continue to read t...more
Tami
I haven't received this book yet, just received notice I had won. Can't wait! 6/15/11
Received this Saturday and will start as soon as my current read is finished. Probably tonight. 6/20/11

In Finkleton, the weather is not controlled by Mother Nature. When their fathers uncle dies, three children have to move to Finkleton with their parents to run his store. The children find out that there is much more important things to manage than the store and its inventory.

I was excited to win the book. As...more
Charlene
I desperately wanted to fall in love with this book. Firstly, the cover is beautiful; it made me feel as though what I was about to read would be magical. Unfortunately, it wasn't so. There were a few sections, namely the first chapter and some of the last chapter, that invited me into the story. I felt the rest of it was a little contrived in how the siblings interacted with each other and how they figured out the magical elements of Finkleton out of nowhere, and it was increasingly didactic. I...more
Alice
Mar 19, 2011 Alice rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: kids, teens, young adult
No Spoilers! I don't do that!

First things first... The book cover is georgeous! Seriosly, I can't wait to see the actual book. I bought the ebook.

Second... The writing is straight forward and direct to the point. It wasn't overly descriptive. It had just the right amount of description to keep me from skipping like I tend to do in most books, when I get bored. I liked the writing style.

Third... I wasn't bored. It definately held my interest. The prologue and first chapter was pretty gripping, I...more
Elizabeth
This was a cute story (and for $.99 how can you go wrong??). However, the story was simplistic and ended abruptly. I understand that this was a book for young readers, but I have read other books aimed at similar aged readers which had a much more complex story-line. I found myself wondering why Mr Lowsley was even introduced. This could have been solved with a little foreshadowing to the next book at the end or by adding a few lines during which Mr Lowsley threatens the town or family or crops....more
Hollyberry
I was very generously given a copy of this book by K.C. Hilton, and I cannot thank her enough! I highly recommend this for anyone to be honest, I don't think that you have to be a child to enjoy this story.

This story revolves around a family that inherits their Uncle's store (like a general store) and have to move to a town called Finkleton. When they arrive there, the children (Jack, Lizzy and Robert) start to realise that there is something a little off about this town, and they connect it bac...more
Maho
I am one of those adults who enjoy children's literature for its charm and simple beauty. I do however have fairly high standards, and the Magic of Finkleton does not quite live up to them. While I did enjoy the story, I did not care much for the writing or construction of the characters. There was promise, but it remained unfulfilled, which I think is a shame. Alas, on several occasions I found the dialogue annoying and the characters unconvincing, which prevented me from enjoying the book as m...more
Cameron
As a fan and avid reader of middle grade fiction, I was very excited to read this book when K.C. was nice enough to send me a copy. For one, look at that amazing cover! That alone made me want to read this book. Fortunately, though, I didn't have to fall victim to taking a risk and reading this based only on the cover; the premise of the story was enough to draw me in.

The story follows three siblings- Jack, Robert, and Lizzy- whose uncle, Harry Finkle, just passed away. Now the children and thei...more
K.J. Kron
There is something pleasing about reading a book aimed at a younger audience. I'm reminded about why Malcolm Gladwell said Blue's Clues is more popular than Sesame Street. Blue's Clues is more obvious. The chair is called a Thinking Chair. Whereas Sesame Street tends to be for adults at times and is a little more sophisticated / subtle, like when Big Bird ponders what would happen if his name was taken away. Children tested perferred Blue's Clues.

Which brings me to KC Hilton's book.

Hemingway c...more
Paula Howard
The Magic of Finkleton is a delight book for children. Jack, Robert and Lizzy along with their parents move to Finkleton. Their Uncle Harry had died leaving his store to them and their house burned down mysteriously . It isn't long after arriving in their new home that they begin to notice there is magic. Lizzy finds a letter from their Uncle telling them that they are his heirs. It is up to the siblings to learn the magic and use it to aid the town. This is the 1st of three books.
Tosha
Mar 19, 2011 Tosha rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: kids, children, teens, young adult, adults
I couldn't wait for this book to come out!

I liked the clean fun adventure it contained as well as the funny bits.
I have to agree with another review, that this book was straight to the point. It didn't contain a bunch of over description, like many books do, just to gain pages. A story can be well written without all the extra junk, that I skim over, it had just the right amount in my opinion.

Semi-Spoiler Below ***

I especially liked it when Robert found the magical lever. If I had found it, I wo...more
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YA Lovers: The Magic of Finkleton by K.C. Hilton 3 6 Aug 27, 2012 12:13pm  
The Magic of Finkleton (Kindle Edition)
The Magic of Finkleton (ebook)
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Born and raised in Aurora, Illinois I spent my childhood playing street games with the neighborhood kids. When I wasn't outside, I spent much of my time reading and getting lost in adventurous worlds and whirlwind courtships. At the age of seventeen, I moved to Kentucky and eventually began to raise a family of my own.

I have always been entranced by stories of magical adventure, and though I have...more
More about K.C. Hilton...
90 Miles to Freedom Return to Finkleton (Finkleton, #2) My Name is Rapunzel

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