Alexander Fox and the Amazing Mind Reader

Alexander Fox is a curious fifth grader who stands apart from his friends because he believes in thinking for himself rather than accepting claims without first exploring the evidence. Like a super sleuth investigator, Alexander sifts for clues, searches for answers, and asks plenty of questions when met with something mysterious or unbelievable, especially when a schoolmate claims to have witnessed the supernatural feats of one Arcady Mystikos.But when he meets the great Mystikos, a man whose powers have astounded the wealthy residents of the town, Alexander realizes that he may have met his match, a case that is too tough to crack. Admiration for Mystikos among the town folk causes the youngster to examine his own beliefs: Is Alexander a close-minded person, unwilling to accept the mysteries of the unknown? Or can he show his friends that claims of the paranormal aren't always so mysterious?Young readers ages eight and up will delight in this fascinating tale and cheer Alexander on as he tries to uncover the truth about the powers of Mr. Mystikos. Alexander Fox and the Amazing Mind Reader will start young minds on their journey toward independent thinking, open-mindedness, skeptical inquiry, and critical awareness.John Clayton (Columbia, MD) is a media specialist who works as a staff writer at Baltimore magazine.