Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts - by Erika Lewis (Paperback)

About the Book

The School for Good and Evil meets Amari and the Night Brothers in this debut middle-grade fantasy, perfect for readers who've ever wondered: What if Harry Potter was sorted into Slytherin?

Book Synopsis

Brimming with Celtic mythology, action, and danger, Erika Lewis's Kelcie Murphy and The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts introduces readers to a new kind of magical school and a warrior who must choose with which side of an epic battle her destiny will lie.

The Otherworld is at war. The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts trains warriors. And Kelcie Murphy--a foster child raised in the human world--is dying to attend.

A place at AUA means meeting Scáthach, the legendary trainer of Celtic heroes. It means learning to fight with a sword. It means harnessing her hidden powers and--most importantly--finding out who her parents are, and why they abandoned her in Boston Harbor eight years ago.

When Kelcie tests into the school, she learns that she's a Saiga, one of the most ancient beings in the Otherworld. Secretive, shunned, and possessed of imposing elemental powers, the Saiga are also kin to the Otherworld's most infamous traitor.

But Kelcie is a survivor, and she'll do whatever it takes to find her parents and her place in their world. Even if that means making a few enemies.

Review Quotes

A Sunshine State Young Readers Award Selection and a Children's Book Council Teacher's Favorite Pick!

"Lewis brings a fresh take on these tropes, incorporating Celtic mythology and lore to craft an--quite literally--Otherworldly hero who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals and who also embodies a relatable persona that readers will undoubtedly connect with." --Booklist, starred review

"Be prepared, it will be hard to take a break from Erika Lewis's The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts. The action leaps off the page, rich in ancient Celtic mythology and taut with emotion, with characters who are flawed, human, and awesomely gifted. Middle-grade readers with a thirst for high adventure with all the feels, in the tradition of J. K. Rowling, Tamora Pierce, and Lloyd Alexander, have reason to rejoice." --Peter Lerangis, New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Wonders series

"You'll be on the edge of your seat while reading, and while waiting for more to come in this rich and engaging world. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and the Harry Potter series." --Janet Fox, award-winning author of The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle

"Fast-paced and oh-so-fun, this exciting story celebrates the importance of friendship and the power of kids' choices. I couldn't put it down!" --Alyssa Colman, author of The Gilded Girl

"With vivid world-building and a marvelous blend of mythology and magic, Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts is a rip-roaring ride pulsing with the heart of its fierce and tenacious heroine! The opening installment of this epic new fantasy series will leave readers clamoring for more." --Alysa Wishingrad, author of The Verdigris Pawn

"Move over Hogwarts, there's a spellbinding new school in town. Enroll yourself for myth, mystery and magic. Not to be missed!"--Cavan Scott, New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: The Rising Storm

"A gratifyingly strong and determined heroine, Kelcie is unafraid to take risks and stand up for what she thinks. The Otherworld setting, especially the Academic for the Unbreakable Arts, is richly imagined--a wonderful juxtaposition of magic and middle-grade politics. In addition to having a riveting plot, the narrative encourages readers to think deeply about issues like family, destiny, and peace."--The Children's Book Review

"...Successfully centers a resilient heroine tapping into her unrealized potential." --Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Erika Lewis grew up in Virginia, where she spent most of her childhood riding her dirt bike through Fort Ward. She resides in the sunshine state of California. When she's not at her laptop, she's usually playing with her big fluffy golden retriever, running, or at one of the bookstores or comic shops by her house. And always drinking coffee. Kelcie Murphy and the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts is her middle grade debut.