At an end-of-the-year party in a historic mansion, ZuZu sneaks away from her third-grade classmates to explore the turret room but finds an intriguing boy, Andrew, already there. Their introduction is interrupted by creepy knocking noises that lead to the discovery of a pan of watercolors and set of ink pens, which the two eventually realize have the power to bring their drawings to life. The delight is cut short when an animated portrait explains that her long-dead brother is also planning a return to the world seek vengeance on a bully (and town) that wronged him decades ago. ZuZu and Andrew must harness their creative powers in order to save their city from malevolent magic. This is an astonishingly creative story, carefully constructing a magic world with specific rules and hints of a larger organization behind it all. There are deliciously chilling descriptions of scuttling, otherworldly creations and resurrections gone awry, but there is also delight to be found in enchanted artwork and blossoming friendships. A thrilling introduction to a newfangled magic.

Art comes alive with the help of magic.Rising fourth grader Aleksandra "ZuZu" Zieuzieulowicz and her new neighbor and classmate, Andrew Chang, are caught up in a return-from-the-dead vengeance plot when they visit a local haunted mansion. They find, in a secret compartment, a set of watercolors and drawing pens seemingly meant for them. The art supplies are infused with magical properties and produce visitons-animated, three-dimensional creatures-when the children combine their drawing and painting skills. Martha Mapleton, who long ago lived in the mansion, explains this to the pair when they bring her charcoal self-portrait to life by completing a missing portion. Martha's malevolent brother, Chester, has held a childhood grudge for a lifetime and beyond. He reanimates himself and numerous auditons-dastardly musical creations-with the assistance of a self-absorbed classmate of ZuZu's, intending to wreak havoc on his bully's descendants. Martha plans to stop him. Entertainingly inventive visitons-some informed by the imagination of ZuZu's younger brother-battle Chester's wicked auditons in an energetic, epic showdown. ZuZu, whose best friend moved away, feels like an outcast; the temptation to hold on to resentment is addressed subtly and with kindness. ZuZu reads as White; Taiwanese American Andrew's diagnosis of Crohn's disease is discussed in an author's note.A satisfying, compelling adventure with an original magical construct and bright, appealing protagonists. (Fantasy. 8-11)