The Secret of the Magic Pearl

Age range 6 to 9

Dive below the waves to where the real adventure begins.

Hector lives with his family at the Marina in an Italian coastal town where they organise tourist expeditions to explore the many wonders of the sea. Hector's dream is to become a deep-sea diver, just like his father. Then, one day, an unscrupulous entrepreneur opens a much newer centre next door, forcing them to close their business. This man has a single purpose, to find the legendary Pearl in order to sell it and make money. Hector decides to find a way to thwart the plan and save what matters most to him: the sea, his family, and his dream.

'Beautiful, remarkable, amazing, and wonderful in every way.' -Kirkus Review, starred review

'Brilliant colors give the pages a luxe feel.' - Publishers Weekly, starred review

“"Sabatinelli provides Hector with a voice that soars with lilting, expressive language, losing nothing in Turner's translation from Italian. Bruno's intensely bright, sharply hued illustrations are a tour de force" -- Starred Review, Kirkus”

Praise for The Secret of the Magic Pearl:

A 2021 Booklist Editors' Choice

A 2022 Capitol Choices Book

A Best Middle-Grade Book of the Year 2021 – Kirkus Reviews

★ "Beautiful, remarkable, amazing, and wonderful in every way. Sabatinelli provides Hector with a voice that soars with lilting, expressive language, losing nothing in Turner’s translation from Italian. Bruno’s intensely bright, sharply hued illustrations are a tour de force" —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Hector is an appealing and adorable protagonist, and the glowing descriptions bring the bustling seaside town fully to life. Bruno’s accompanying illustrations are an absolute delight . . . An exceptional story that will have young readers longing for the sea.” —Booklist, starred review

★ "Sabatinelli, making her children’s debut, narrates deliberately, swinging between reflection and adventure. Diving scenes and undersea sensations are vividly described, all translated with skill and flair by Turner. Bruno drafts characters and scenery with polished elegance; hand-drawn chapter heading banners, labeled vignettes, and brilliant colors give the pages a luxe feel." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

". . . a handsome book, printed in gorgeous, rich-hued colors, with a thoughtful hero, a first-rate villain, magic, adventure, and a convincing happy ending." —The Horn Book Magazine

"This book has all the trappings of a splendid adventure tale, but it's Iacopo Bruno's illustrations that make it a truly enchanting read . . . adventure, danger and a well-earned happily ever after. Readers are in for a unique treat." —BookPage

“Beautifully illustrated with magical pictures by Iacopo Bruno, this Italian fantasy by Elisa Sabatinelli takes us to a village out of time with a boy who loves the ocean and dreams of diving like his father and grandfather before him. Keep an eye out for this book and the other titles from Red Comet! Bravo!”   —Brian Selznick, Caldecott Medal winner

“Looking for a mysterious, fascinating, frightening, wonderful, perfectly illustrated tale from the depths of the sea? You are in luck. The Magic Pearl is calling you.” —Jon Scieszka, First National Ambassador of Youth People’s Literature

“A magical story book tale with heart and soul. Each radiant page turns like a wave reaching the shore to reveal its truth and beauty—and even a pearl of humanity.” —Jack Gantos, Newbery Medal winner

"After reading The Secret of the Magic Pearl, I want to move straight to the tiny Italian fishing village where its hero Hector lives, and become a deep sea diver like him. It's a charming book, spiked with excitement and mystery, paced for extended sitting, and generously illuminated with lush and lively illustrations." —Paul O. Zelinsky, Caldecott Medal winner

“Adventure, wisdom, beauty, dreams, it’s all here in this shining pearl of a book, picture perfect for a bedtime read-aloud for your seven/eight-year-old.” —Avi, Newbery Medal winner

“Definitely a book to spend time with, not just reading but thoroughly combing through the illustrations, relishing all the details from beginning to end. . . The Secret of the Magic Pearl is a chapter book that combines past and present in a magical story. It will enchant readers in the same way that stories by Kate DiCamillo do.” - Randomly Reading Blog

"Wonderfully imaginative, magical, and bursting with superb illustrations. The Secret of the Magic Pearl is everything an excellent story should be and more." - Books to Borrow - Books to Buy, syndicated column

"On his first underwater dive, Hector finds the remarkable magic pearl that protects the divers and fisherfolk of his Italian coastal community. Vivid descriptions, glorious illustrations, and delightful details accompany this tale of a courageous child who must confront the greed of others. " - 2022 Capitol Choices Citation.

Elisa Sabatinelliwas born in Fano, Italy, and grew up in Barcelona, Spain. She has published short stories and a novel for adults.The Secret of the Magic Pearlis her first book for children. Ms. Sabatinelli lives in Milan with her husband and two children. To learn more, visit her onFacebookat @elisa.sabatinelli

Iacopo Brunohas illustrated hundreds of book covers and has received recognition from the Society of Illustrators in New York, the Cook Prize, and his book,Sergeant Reckless, written by Patricia McCormick, won the Texas Bluebonnet Award and the California Young Reader Medal 2021. Other books illustrated by Iacopo Bruno includeMesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of Franceby Mara Rockliff;and Bartali's Bicycle: The True Story of Gino Bartali, Italy's Secret Heroby Megan Hoyt.When he is not drawing, he takes his boat in search of dolphins and, if the weather is bad, restores paintings and antique furniture in his cellar full of tools and curiosities. Learn more at his website: /

Christopher Turneris an Italian to English translator, editor and professional writer. He has translated many children's books into English in his 30-year career including the popular Geronimo Stilton books. He lives in Wimbledon, London. Learn more at:-turner.net/

Age range 6 to 9 Dive below the waves to where the real adventure begins. Hector lives with his family at the Marina in an Italian coastal town where they organise tourist expeditions to explore the many wonders of the sea. Hector's dream is to become a deep-sea diver, just like his father. Then, one day, an unscrupulous entrepreneur opens a much newer centre next door, forcing them to close their business. This man has a single purpose, to find the legendary Pearl in order to sell it and make money. Hector decides to find a way to thwart the plan and save what matters most to him: the sea, his family, and his dream. 'Beautiful, remarkable, amazing, and wonderful in every way.' --Kirkus Review, starred review 'Brilliant colors give the pages a luxe feel.' -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

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