Fantasy, imagination come to life in books and in Florida

Attention Harry Potter lovers: Universal Studios opened its Wizarding World of Harry Potter on Friday in Orlando, Fla. The seven Harry Potter novels are a true phenomenon in young-adult and fantasy literature. Since its debut in 1997, this series by J.K. Rowling, a British author, and its characters have been embraced in an unprecedented way.

We checked out Universal's cool new attractions focusing on Harry Potter. We can attest that the Dueling Dragon roller coaster is as magical as if Harry himself had conjured it. Hogsmeade and the village shops look as if they popped right off the books' pages. Three rides anchor the park's newest area. Visiting the park begs for a re-reading of the series or an introduction to the books. While the series darkens with each book, the first book enchanted Hannah when she was only 6 and has inspired a legion of readers among the younger generation. Take an interactive tour at www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter.

To celebrate the world of fantasy reading, we found these new releases to share:

MAGIC BELOW STAIRS. By Caroline Stevermer. Penguin. Ages 8-12. 208 pages. $16.99.

Released this month by the author of the Sorcery & Cecelia trilogy, this book gives middle-grade readers an active fantasy set in Victorian England. Celebrated fantasy writer Caroline Stevermer took characters from her trilogy to create a fun read starring Frederick Lincoln, an 11-year-old orphan. Frederick's aptitude for hard work and his naturally inquisitive personality make him a perfect fit in Lord Schofield's household. Leaving the orphanage to work as first a houseboy and then an assistant valet for one of England's top wizards is a stroke of luck for Frederick ... or is magic involved?

Frederick's only faithful companion at the orphanage is a sly brownie (a magical creature that appears at night and helps with unfinished work) named Billy Bly. Billy Bly follows Frederick to Lord Schofield's London house, where the wizard perceives his presence and banishes him, much to Frederick's sadness. Billy Bly pops back up at the lord's country home to warn Frederick of imminent danger to the lord and his pregnant wife. Frederick must convince Lord Schofield that residue from an old curse still lingers. Frederick, though young, becomes a hero.

This book could easily be transformed into a made-for-TV movie with a spin-off series. Its story line holds great appeal for both boys and girls. While not exactly one to inspire a ride or attraction like the Harry Potter series, this book is a readable, appropriate introduction for middle-graders delving into fantasy literature.

WHISPER. By Phoebe Kitanidis. HarperCollins. Ages 12 and up. 288 pages. $16.99.

The women in Joy's family have the uncanny ability to hear people's thoughts and desires. These unconscious, and sometimes conscious, reflections are called Whispers. As a Hearer, Joy is accustomed to picking up on private musings. She uses her ability to make people happy and better the world around her. But Joy's recent headaches and differences in her Hearing have become abnormal. Joy's sister Jessica, aptly nicknamed Icka, warns Joy of terrible secrets. When Icka disappears, Joy must partner with an unlikely friend and steal a car. Her journey makes her realize that she is now unable to gain happiness by fulfilling the unconscious desires of others. Whisper is a brilliant coming-of-age novel with a twist of fantasy.

SPELLS. By Aprilynne Pike. HarperCollins. Ages 12 and up. 359 pages. $16.99.

Spells is the long-awaited sequel to Wings (By Aprilynne Pike. HarperCollins. Ages 12 and up. 294 pages. $16.99.). In the first novel, Laurel finds out that there is more to her adoption story than she and her parents believe. Her body is changing as adolescence arrives, but she is sprouting wings as well as developing normally. In Spells, Laurel continues to live her double life as a faerie and posing as a human. She has difficulty balancing her human boyfriend and faerie boy of interest, however. After spending her summer in Avalon, the faerie city, Laurel realizes that she cannot straddle both worlds and needs to pick a place to stay. Frightening run-ins with trolls and rogue agents keep this fantasy live with action.

Like Hogsmeade, Avalon would make an awesome theme park full of trees and flowers. Buildings could be intertwined with and grown into branches and roots. The city would be sectioned off according to faerie season, with the Summer faeries focusing on the arts and the very rare Winter faeries guarding the gates into the human world.

For readers who have devoured the Twilight books by Stephenie Myers and for those who don't typically enjoy fantasy literature, Aprilynne Pike's series makes for entertaining reading.

Monica Young and Hannah McRae Young can be reached at cyoung9@triad.rr.com. View book reviews at the Journal in Education site at www.jie.journalnow.com