Bitsy and Kosh are on the run in this second page-turner in the fantasy adventure series from Jennifer Bell, featuring mind-boggling magicores and amazing science. When Kosh is accused of being the notorious thief the Shadowsmith, he and Bitsy must go into hiding before Kosh is arrested. Determined to prove that Kosh is innocent, Bitsy, Kosh, and their friend Mateo set out to find the real villain. But they have something the Shadowsmith desperately wants, something the conservatoire also needs for protection. Can Bitsy, Kosh, and Mateo figure out who the true culprit is before time runs out and someone catches them? Starring fantastical magical creatures conjured from different emotions, the Magicalia series of young middle-grade fiction is essential reading for fans of Pokémon and Skandar, with a twist of science and gaming. It’s hard not to like a tale in which intrepid younglings confront hazards ranging from a massive ticking bomb to a cannon that shoots spaghetti sauce. . . .the author is plainly having a ball—and it’s catching. . . .A rollicking good time. —Kirkus Reviews Reminiscent of Pokémon, this second installment of Bell’s Magicalia series sends readers on a rollicking adventure. . . . Middle-grade fantasy gamers will appreciate the world building, delightful characters, and fun illustrations. There’s a well-balanced combination of imagination and science, which adds credence to the plot. —Booklist Jennifer Bell worked as a children’s bookseller at a world-famous bookshop before becoming an author. Her debut novel, The Uncommoners: The Crooked Sixpence , was an international bestseller. In addition to the Magicalia series, she is the author of the Agents of the Wild adventure series for younger readers; Wonderscape , a Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month that was inspired by some of her favorite heroes from history and her love of gaming; and Legendarium , which celebrates incredible legends from around the world. Jennifer Bell lives in London. Chapter One Bitsy’s chair vibrated as a massive hatch opened in the middle of the laboratory floor, revealing a vat of swirling acid-yellow slime. The rest of the class sat in a tense circle around it, eyeing the slime warily. “To become conjurors, you must learn to concentrate in high-pressure situations. This quiz will test how well you can focus.” At the front of the laboratory, Professor Doyle tightened her fingers around a crescent brooch pinned to her navy overalls. The brooch glowed blue, and Bitsy realized it must be made of farthingstone. “What’s she conjuring?” Bitsy’s best friend, Kosh, hissed, peering over the tips of his sneakers. “And what is that stuff?” Bitsy had a horrible feeling it was some sort of chemical. She surveyed the other twelve-year-old initiates, all inching back in their chairs. Everyone wore crash helmets and the same black conjuring overalls made of a unique fireproof, waterproof, and nonconductive fabric. “I’m not sure, but I think if we get the wrong answers in this quiz, we might find out.” Professor Doyle had one pair of safety goggles hanging around her neck and another poking out of her bushy brown hair, which was as wild and tangled as a bird’s nest. Her eyes sparkled excitedly as a cloud of copper particles—farthingdust—spurted out of her brooch with a soft crackle. The farthingdust whirled through the air like a flurry of autumn leaves and, within seconds, transformed into a plump four-legged creature with pine-cone-shaped ears. The beast dropped onto the professor’s desk with a loud thud. Goose bumps prickled along Bitsy’s arms. It didn’t matter how often she saw a magicore being conjured, it never failed to amaze her. This species looked a bit like a raccoon with a broad face, a pointed snout, and a long tail. Its stripy fur was metallic black and silver, growing in spiky tufts all over its body like a coat of iron filings. Its zigzag whiskers vibrated as it scurried around the professor’s desk, nosing through her apparatus. “This is my xenom, Thermo,” Professor Doyle announced, pulling a pencil out of her hair and pointing it at Thermo’s bottom. “Note the distinctive ring markings around his rear end. Xenoms are conjured from curiosity and have a multitude of skills.” Thermo lifted his head, his blue eyes glittering like sapphires. He wiggled his tail . . . and vanished into thin air. A moment later, he reappeared with one paw outstretched as if to say, Ta-da! A few initiates nervously applauded. As Thermo resumed snooping around the professor’s desk, Bitsy watched his pine-cone ears pivoting like satellites probing for new signals. With his radar-like senses and inquisitive nature, she could see how his source emotion was curiosity. “Question one,” Professor Doyle said. “Like all magicores, Thermo can cast an illusion that turns him invisible. What is this illusion called?” Bitsy confidently raised her hand, eager to answer. To her surprise, she noticed that everyone in the class had followed