Russell wanted to be a monster for Halloween—but this wasn't what he had in mind! "[A] lively tale." —The New York Times

Twist it once, you're horned and haired;

Twist it twice and fangs are bared;

Twist it thrice? No one has dared!

After running away from the school bully, Russell finds himself on a street he's never seen before—and inside an amazing magic shop. But when he leaves, he's sure that the ring he bought from the ancient-looking Mr. Elives is just a silly trick, as useless as those X-Ray Specs he ordered from the back of a comic book. Then, without reading the instructions carefully, he twists the ring—and actually starts turning into a monster . . .

Praise for the Magic Shop series

"A funny, enjoyable, imaginative story [with] unexpected depth." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Fast-moving with slapstick humor . . . . Recommended." —Horn Book

Winner of the South Carolina Children's Book and IRA Children's Choice Awards