Max McDaniels is a perfectly ordinary boy who lives with his father in the suburbs of Chicago. Well, until the
day his father and he made their annual pilgrimage to Chicago's Art Institute to view all of the paintings Max's
mother loved best. There Max discovers someone is following him. He also discovers he can enter rooms and see
things no one else can see.
Soon after, Max is invited to Rowan Academy - a boarding school in New England for "potentials." There Max
learns of his possible role in an epic battle of good versus evil. The book is bursting with fast-paced adventure
and quirky magic. Readers can't help but notice some strong parallels to Harry Potter, but there is enough
difference to make this an exciting story ride all on its own.
I particularly loved the idea of rooms that shape themselves to the user - I would have found that especially
appealing as a kid. I also appreciated that the book felt intact, with a satisfying ending, as I'm often
disgruntled with series books that leave you feeling like you only read part of a book.
With the end of the Harry Potter series, this would be a great book to give the kids moping in withdrawal
from their favorite magical boarding school - they just might enjoy the transfer to Rowen Academy. I know I did.