Joey and the Magic Map

by Tory C. Anderson, Barbara Call (Editor), Clorinda Anderson (Editor)

Joey Johanaby thought his life ended when his dad died. Being forced to move into a mysterious, old, Southern mansion in Tennessee seems to make things worse. With Mrs. Johanaby struggling to learn new job skills Joey is given the difficult task of looking after the twins for the summer. The mansion is home to more than Joey and his family. Ghostly and magical characters from the mansion’s past take an interest in Joey and his struggles. They want to help, but their quirky methods are questionable. After the family is almost torn apart by a near-tragedy Joey obtains a magic map. With this map Joey goes on a journey that he might not return from—a journey that changes him forever.

219 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 10, 2013

Reviews

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It's magical but also thought provoking and the author describes scenes so well that you feel there just by the vision he paints. The only (not really) complaint that I had was the chapters felt as if they were a complete story. I'm so used to books leaving chapters open that it almost threw me off. Almost. It was just as easy to pick the book back up though. The reason I can't call this a complaint is that is perfect to read with children as a bedtime story for this reason. I highly enjoyed the read and sincerely hope for a sequel!

[Bill Tillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joey and the Magic Map

Pace, tone and adventurers only a few of the many facets of this delightful middle grade tale. Joey has twin brother and sister Glory and Story the demon fraternal twins. Beemer is the mysterious handyman and Molly is the mom still grieving widow of one year. This is a story that will stick with you for years.

Magic, mystery real issues abound. A civil war ghost, erie wind chimes, a treasure hunt and a real life rescue. Then we have a life and death quest Joey must go through to be reunited with the family he loves.

[Story · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about the miraculous adventure of Joey Johanaby, the eldest son of Mrs. Johanaby. Joey is the oldest of two others in his family, Glory and Story. Joey and his family just moved to a house with an old history dating back to the Civil war. The house comes with a strange housekeeper named Beezer, who is strictly forbidden to be laid off from his job. Beezer gives the kids some adventures to get them acquainted with their new life. Beezer gives Joey an opportunity of a lifetime to venture across a whole different world that he has to figure out.

[Emmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

*audiobook*

Rarely have a read a children’s book in which a parent seemed so out of place.
Recently widowed, Joey’s mom is someone who is unsympathetic and pathetic. Partly due to the writer conceiving a plan for Mom to desire the children to have breakfast at 7am, lunch at noon, and dinner at 6pm while she works on classes for certification for employment.
I don’t know ANYONE who studies for 11 hours a day, much less a single mom who ditches her kids for the oldest child to care for them.
It was apparent this was plot driven, but it tainted what could have been a more emotional world building book. If I were Joey, I’d stay on the tropical paradise.
I’m conflicted about the rating for the book. I liked how map helped Joey discover himself. I liked the caretaker and the ghost. The twins were lovely and held more substance than mom. But with mom being an integral character, she ruined the promise of an impactful and insightful fantasy adventure. The narrator could have been the author or related to the author (or not at all) who also must hold disdain for the mother, portraying her as uninterested, unattached, and bored. She was always sighing and spoke as if she was half asleep and preoccupied.
Truly, I felt sorry for the kids. And in the real world, CPS should be called and mom should be TDO for a psych evaluation and treatment.
I wouldn’t recommend it nor ever listen to it again; but it wasn’t awful. At least I knew and could comprehend what I was listening to and didn’t lose my place.

[Kathy Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that is set around a boy who has lost his father and is struggling with who he really is; a coward or one who is brave. The hook when I ordered the book is the magic map. It took a while for that to show up in the book, however the journey is one that keeps you engaged until you discover there is indeed a magic map which is used to help Joey discover who he really is. A worthwhile read.