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Be a Genie in Six Easy Steps
Be careful what you wish for. . . . When new stepsiblings Milly, Michael, Jason, and Jess move to a town in the middle of nowhere, the last thing they expect is to find a magic book. But then they stumble upon The Genie Handbook , and their lives are changed forever. Each chapter in The Genie Handbook contains one of six stages of training to be mastered, and the kids are thrilled to begin their schooling—especially since once they become genies, they can wish themselves back to London and their old lives. But then some of the wishes go wrong, and the magic starts to seem scarier. And when the kids discover a mysterious couple watching them covertly, they realize there's more to the handbook than they ever could have guessed. If the children's greatest wish of all is finally granted, will their world change for better or for worse? Maybe sometimes it takes something even more powerful than a genie to reveal your true heart's desire.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
6 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Linda Chapman
737 books201 followersLinda Chapman was born in Liverpool in 1969. She had many different jobs before becoming a full-time writer in 1999 including working as a theatre stage manager, a dog trainer, a bookseller, a nanny, a teacher and a research assistant. She has written over 300 books for children, some under her own name, others under different names and she often collaborates with other authors. She is currently writing books with Julie Sykes and they are co-authors on the NYT bestselling Unicorn Academy series as well as Mermaid Academy, Forever Homes and Pocket Unicorns. Linda lives in Leicestershire with her husband, three children, two horses and three dogs. She has written many different series including: My Secret Unicorn, Star Friends, Best Friends Bakery, Stardust, Skating School and, most recently, Magic Keepers and Moonlight Riders.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 22, 2023
This book was utterly sweet!
Four children, two pairs of stepsiblings, are trying to learn how to live a new, blended life as the Worthington family, all in a brand-new environment— they've moved from London to the little town of Moreways Meet, where their parents are attempting to open a new bookshop.
But when their Mr. Worthington acquires a very special book, one that promises to teach you how to be a genie, as the title says, "in six easy steps"... they'll take any chance they can to go back to how they were before. Happy, and not having to hear constant fights from stressed parents or eat "cardboard" pizzas each night.
I enjoyed it thoroughly. Each of the characters had elements to them that made them likable to me, although my favorite was Milly, who really is a sweetheart. It had good hints and clear progression from beginning to end, making a brilliant character arc for the girls in particular.
Yes, there is magic in the book. However, it's shown to be a) something humans cannot/should not use, and b) that it is to be used wisely and has consequences, like any other power.
It really did have "Five Children and It" vibes to it, as the jacket implied: as well as the briefest touches of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" and "Half Magic". This one is a good, fun read, quite possibly as a group but I'm afraid I wouldn't know since I binged it late last night. 🤣
Four children, two pairs of stepsiblings, are trying to learn how to live a new, blended life as the Worthington family, all in a brand-new environment— they've moved from London to the little town of Moreways Meet, where their parents are attempting to open a new bookshop.
But when their Mr. Worthington acquires a very special book, one that promises to teach you how to be a genie, as the title says, "in six easy steps"... they'll take any chance they can to go back to how they were before. Happy, and not having to hear constant fights from stressed parents or eat "cardboard" pizzas each night.
I enjoyed it thoroughly. Each of the characters had elements to them that made them likable to me, although my favorite was Milly, who really is a sweetheart. It had good hints and clear progression from beginning to end, making a brilliant character arc for the girls in particular.
Yes, there is magic in the book. However, it's shown to be a) something humans cannot/should not use, and b) that it is to be used wisely and has consequences, like any other power.
It really did have "Five Children and It" vibes to it, as the jacket implied: as well as the briefest touches of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" and "Half Magic". This one is a good, fun read, quite possibly as a group but I'm afraid I wouldn't know since I binged it late last night. 🤣
May 19, 2010
Cool concept, but definitely not for grown-ups.
There are some kids' books that can be read by adults and enjoyed. Harry Potter, Fablehaven, and 100 Cupboards are some notable ones. Some however, are clearly written just for kids and adults will just be bored by them. This is one of those.
This book is the story of 4 new step-siblings who are forced to move from their beloved London to a small town when their parents marry and open a book shop. So when they find a book that claims it will teach them to be genies, they immediately conclude that if they become genies they can wish their way back to London!
(*Some spoilers*) The front flap of this book promises a sinister presence that follows the children on their path to become genies. This promise is sorely realized by some mildly creepy people who turn out to not be creepy at all (it's all just a big misunderstanding! Let's all be friends! Which, in my opinion, is kinda lame. A book without a satisfying villain is no fun at all.) Also, the bookworm that acted as the book's spokesperson annoyed me. I really never understood why the kids loved him so much!
Maybe if I was a kid I would have liked this book. As an adult, it's just too childish.
There are some kids' books that can be read by adults and enjoyed. Harry Potter, Fablehaven, and 100 Cupboards are some notable ones. Some however, are clearly written just for kids and adults will just be bored by them. This is one of those.
This book is the story of 4 new step-siblings who are forced to move from their beloved London to a small town when their parents marry and open a book shop. So when they find a book that claims it will teach them to be genies, they immediately conclude that if they become genies they can wish their way back to London!
(*Some spoilers*) The front flap of this book promises a sinister presence that follows the children on their path to become genies. This promise is sorely realized by some mildly creepy people who turn out to not be creepy at all (it's all just a big misunderstanding! Let's all be friends! Which, in my opinion, is kinda lame. A book without a satisfying villain is no fun at all.) Also, the bookworm that acted as the book's spokesperson annoyed me. I really never understood why the kids loved him so much!
Maybe if I was a kid I would have liked this book. As an adult, it's just too childish.
June 16, 2016
Check out my other reviews, discussions and link ups at Fantasy of the Silver Dragon.
This was really cute. The step-sibs got along a lot better than I was expecting them to. And there were a few unbelievable moments, but all in all, I enjoyed it.
I was expecting the bad guy to be worse than what turned out to be the case. Though it totally worked with the reveal at the end, and with the age group the book is aimed at. I liked how the kids had to work together in order to complete each step, and that even when they failed they were able to figure out why with a little help from the book.
I really liked all the kids, especially Milly. And it was fun to see what kind of trouble the steps in the book brought them, as well as how they managed to escape. This isn't listed as being in a series, but it is actually book one of at least two. I enjoyed it enough I'll be picking up the 2nd book soon.
If you like middle grade with humor and magic, you should read this book.
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon
This was really cute. The step-sibs got along a lot better than I was expecting them to. And there were a few unbelievable moments, but all in all, I enjoyed it.
I was expecting the bad guy to be worse than what turned out to be the case. Though it totally worked with the reveal at the end, and with the age group the book is aimed at. I liked how the kids had to work together in order to complete each step, and that even when they failed they were able to figure out why with a little help from the book.
I really liked all the kids, especially Milly. And it was fun to see what kind of trouble the steps in the book brought them, as well as how they managed to escape. This isn't listed as being in a series, but it is actually book one of at least two. I enjoyed it enough I'll be picking up the 2nd book soon.
If you like middle grade with humor and magic, you should read this book.
This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon
February 23, 2019
Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - G
Milly, Jason, Michael, and Jess have just moved from London to a little town in the middle of no where because their parents what to open a bookshop. For the most part, they don't like where they are and want to move back to London. Luckily, they find a guide to becoming genies and they realize that can be their ticket back to their old lives. But the "six easy steps" aren't a piece of cake, they take work. Will they pass the steeps to reach their heart's desire?
It didn't start how I thought it would, but once I went with it, it was a very predictable story. Don't get me wrong, it was a good story with some new ideas about genies and magic, but it had some very cliche elements too. All in all, it was a good book, just not amazing.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Milly, Jason, Michael, and Jess have just moved from London to a little town in the middle of no where because their parents what to open a bookshop. For the most part, they don't like where they are and want to move back to London. Luckily, they find a guide to becoming genies and they realize that can be their ticket back to their old lives. But the "six easy steps" aren't a piece of cake, they take work. Will they pass the steeps to reach their heart's desire?
It didn't start how I thought it would, but once I went with it, it was a very predictable story. Don't get me wrong, it was a good story with some new ideas about genies and magic, but it had some very cliche elements too. All in all, it was a good book, just not amazing.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
November 7, 2012
Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com
Part of a newly blended family, Milly, Michael, Jason, and Jess are having trouble adjusting to their new living arrangements. When the four discover a magic book with a resident bookworm, they decide to follow the six steps to becoming a genie.
Things aren't all candy and roses for them, however. The wishes keep going awry, the magic seems to get scarier, and a mysterious couple is following them.
Is there more to the magic book than meets the eye?
A fun-filled adventure filled with action, magic, and a fast-paced plot. The characters are memorable, the story is engaging, and the premise is intriguing. Readers who like Harry Potter, fantasy, and magic fiction will enjoy reading BE A GENIE IN SIX EASY STEPS.
Part of a newly blended family, Milly, Michael, Jason, and Jess are having trouble adjusting to their new living arrangements. When the four discover a magic book with a resident bookworm, they decide to follow the six steps to becoming a genie.
Things aren't all candy and roses for them, however. The wishes keep going awry, the magic seems to get scarier, and a mysterious couple is following them.
Is there more to the magic book than meets the eye?
A fun-filled adventure filled with action, magic, and a fast-paced plot. The characters are memorable, the story is engaging, and the premise is intriguing. Readers who like Harry Potter, fantasy, and magic fiction will enjoy reading BE A GENIE IN SIX EASY STEPS.
January 31, 2016
This was much better than The Last Phoenix. 4 step siblings have just moved to a small town miles away from their beloved London & are now all living together because their parents have recently married. They are not happy with the move & after discovering a book that promises to make them genies in 6 easy steps, they conspire to use the magic to get back to London. Through the course of the book, they have lots of adventures & missteps but in the end they get what they truly desire. Not as weird as book #2.
September 26, 2010
Excellent book for middle readers who are still open to finding gems of wisdom in their books...and for adults who just like a feel good story. I really liked this book and enjoyed the characters in all their mis-adventures. This is a perfect book that shows that wishes or magic can't fix every problem without saying that magic can't fix everything. This book is perfect for a group of second or third graders (or adults)who are usually still open to magic and wishes.
December 13, 2010
I would have absolutely loved this book as an early middle schooler. It was fun, and fresh, and totally entertaining. The adventures were exciting and it was an amusing premise.
I really enjoyed some of the lessons the kids learned too, like when they tried to clean the house with magic, and had to learn that sometimes there is no substitute for real plain hard work.
A really good book, especially for that younger age group.
I really enjoyed some of the lessons the kids learned too, like when they tried to clean the house with magic, and had to learn that sometimes there is no substitute for real plain hard work.
A really good book, especially for that younger age group.
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September 18, 2018Be a Genie revived bedtime story reading in our house! We read this with our 11-year-old from start to finish over several nights. There was just enough suspense to keep us going, and plenty of humor, too.
To read our full review, go to The Reading Tub®.
To read our full review, go to The Reading Tub®.
October 16, 2014
I saw this at the library and was intrigued by the title so I picked it up. It was a cute romp into a family who discover a magic book and decide to become genies. It was kind of fun, and nice. Being for middle readers, it was a little slow and a little underdeveloped, but I think third to fifth graders would enjoy it.
February 18, 2012
This book's plot was interesting, but everything seemed to fit together a little too neatly. I was never unsure of how everything would turn out. However, that may be because it was aimed toward younger children. Overall, a nice book that teaches you to be careful what you wish for.
February 25, 2016
3.5 This was a very cute kids book. It would be great as a read aloud book. It is a clean, fast-paced, adventure with magic, genies, tricks, twists, costumes, and family bonding. Be careful what you wish for...
January 30, 2010
Very cute book & quick read. Definately worth reading. I hope there will be a sequel.
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November 12, 2010from what i read in the book i would think that you would really enjoy this book as well as i did (it was okay but it wasnt as fantastic as you would think it would be
August 4, 2011
A junior fiction book.
August 11, 2012
This book is really good you will find your eyes glued to the page
February 24, 2015
I read this with the kids 2 chapters a night and we all had a good time with the story.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews