Ellray Jakes is Magic Ellray Jakes is a fictional character created by author Sally Warner. He is a young boy who lives in Oak Glen, California and attends Franklin School. Ellray Jakes is known for his mischievousness and his love for basketball. In the book series titled "Ellray Jakes", the main character embarks on various adventures and tackles different challenges. Throughout these stories, Ellray Jakes is portrayed as a resilient and determined individual. He may not always get things right, but he never gives up.
There is a redwood tree in my front yard and lots of wildlife. Birds are everywhere, even hawks, wild parrots, and a California scrub jay I raised, taught to fly, and released. I have two cats, the ancient but still flirtatious Domino and her elderly son Flopsy.
Ellie and the Bunheads comes directly from my younger son s experience as a serious dance student he is a professional now, currently with the Pittsburgh Ballet. Brian Biggs was born in Arkansas in 1968, moved to Texas in 1979, fled to New York City in 1987 to attend Parsons School of Design, lived in Paris France for a few years, ran away to San Francisco in 1993, and since 1999 he has lived in Philadelphia.
He may not always get things right, but he never gives up. One of the key aspects of Ellray Jakes' character is his ability to use his imagination. He often dreams up fantastical scenarios and sees himself as a hero or a magician.
EllRay Jakes Is Magic - by Sally Warner (Paperback)
Third-grader EllRay, a "shrimpy, goof-up kid," discovers magic all around him when he and his schoolmates participate in the Oak Glen Primary School talent show and work together on a wedding shower gift for their teacher.
Book Synopsis
Small kid. Big Stage.
Does EllRay have a talent to put on show for the entire school?
When EllRay and his friends hear about the school talent show, they're not impressed. They're too old for that stuff. But their teacher, Mrs. Sanchez, isn't so quick to let her students off the hook. Five students absolutely must try-out, and EllRay somehow ends up being one of them. Now he has to figure out something he's talented at. like, maybe magic?
But now the pressure's on. It's up to EllRay to take the stage and show his classmates and the whole school that he's not only talented but magic.
Review Quotes
Praise for the EllRay Jakes series:
"Warner is a dead-on observer of playground politics, and has a great ear for dialogue."
--School Library Journal
". ideal for reluctant readers."
--Booklist
"Young readers can identify with EllRay, who is neither a bad seed nor a goody-two-shoes; he and his sense of humor are just right."
--Kirkus Reviews
Honors for the EllRay Jakes series: EllRay Jakes is Not a Chicken Junior Library Guild selection, Scholastic Book Club selection, Texas Bluebonnet Award 2012-13, 2013 California Collections selection, BPL's 2012 Summer Reading List; EllRay Jakes is a Rock Star Junior Library Guild selection, Scholastic Book Club selection; EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank Junior Library Guild selection.
About the Author
Sally Warner grew up in Connecticut and California. She then received her B.A. degree from Scripps College, and her B.F.A. and M.F.A. degrees in fine arts from Otis Art Institute. She worked as an artist (primarily charcoal drawings) for many years, exhibiting her work at galleries, small museums, colleges, and universities across the country. In 1995 she published her first book for young readers, and since then she has published more than 20 novels.
Visit Sally Warner at Sally Warner www.sallywarner.com.
Brian Biggs was born in Arkansas in 1968, moved to Texas in 1979, fled to New York City in 1987 to attend Parsons School of Design, lived in Paris France for a few years, ran away to San Francisco in 1993, and since 1999 he has lived in Philadelphia. Brian illustrated the covers for the first three EllRay Jakes books and also illustrates the Roscoe Riley series for HarperCollins.
“The EllRay Jakes stories are just right for his real-life peers.”—Kirkus on EllRay Jakes Walks the Plank
This allows him to escape from the challenges he faces in reality and gives him the confidence to overcome obstacles. In addition to his lively imagination, Ellray Jakes is also depicted as a resourceful and creative problem solver. He is always coming up with unique solutions to various problems, which endears him to his friends and family. Furthermore, Ellray Jakes is a character who experiences growth and development throughout the series. As the stories progress, he learns valuable lessons about kindness, friendship, and the importance of perseverance. These lessons shape him into a more responsible and compassionate individual. Overall, Ellray Jakes is a memorable character who captivates readers with his mischievousness, imagination, and determination. Through his adventures, he not only entertains but also teaches important life lessons. Whether he's performing magic or facing challenges, Ellray Jakes always manages to inspire and leave a lasting impression on young readers..
Reviews for "Ellray Jakes and the Wizard's Workshop: Inside the Realm of Magic"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars: I found "Ellray Jakes is Magic" to be quite underwhelming. The plot was predictable and the characters lacked depth. Ellray himself seemed quite one-dimensional, and I struggled to connect with him or care about his journey. The magical element of the story felt forced and unnecessary, as it didn't add any meaningful depth to the plot. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars: This book was a complete waste of time. The writing was juvenile, and the story lacked any real substance. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and the plot was overly simplistic. The supposed "magic" element of the book felt forced and out of place. I found myself struggling to stay engaged throughout the entire story. I would not recommend "Ellray Jakes is Magic" to anyone looking for a worthwhile read.
3. Emily - 3/5 stars: "Ellray Jakes is Magic" was an okay book. The writing was decent, and the story had its moments, but it just didn't captivate me. The characters were somewhat relatable, but their development felt superficial. The magical elements introduced in the book felt arbitrary and out of place, not adding much to the overall plot. While it wasn't a terrible read, it wasn't anything memorable either. I wouldn't necessarily discourage others from reading it, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it either.
4. Jacob - 2/5 stars: "Ellray Jakes is Magic" failed to live up to my expectations. The story felt cheesy and predictable, with cliched plot twists. The characters were unremarkable, and their actions often made little sense. The addition of magic in the story felt like a desperate attempt to make it more interesting, but it fell flat. Overall, it was a forgettable read that I wouldn't pick up again.