Cleo (8) and Isabel (11) loved hearing this book, so we read the sequel, and we're now reading the 3rd book. Otto is just an ordinary kid, or at least thinks he is, until everything in his world gets a little stranger, and he discovers the inner workings of his magical city and the aggressive prejudices of the non-magical citizens. The writing is not perfectly smooth, perhaps because it's translated from German, but the story is exciting and absorbing. The details of the city are enchanting, and one of the main characters is a librarian with special powers. ( )