For children who dream of unexpected adventures and finding their purpose, this magical story explores friendship and courage through an invisible quest.
For the child who feels a little invisible or is searching for their unique place in the world, this book offers a magical journey of self-discovery. Up from Jericho Tel is about two bright but overlooked children, Jeanmarie and Malcolm, who are enlisted by the ghost of a glamorous actress named Tallulah. She turns them invisible and sends them on a quest to find her missing necklace among a group of eccentric street performers. This witty and thoughtful story explores themes of friendship, self-confidence, and appreciating the hidden talents in ourselves and others. It's a perfect choice for middle-grade readers who enjoy a clever mix of mystery, gentle fantasy, and heartfelt character growth.
The central character of Tallulah is a ghost. Her death is a key part of the backstory, but it's treated as a fantastical premise rather than a source of grief or trauma. The approach is entirely secular and whimsical. The resolution is hopeful, with the children succeeding in their mission and gaining a new, powerful sense of self-worth and purpose.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful, imaginative child aged 9 to 12 who feels a bit like an observer on the sidelines. This book is for the kid who loves puzzles and character studies more than high-octane action, and who may be quietly grappling with finding their own 'thing' or special skill in a world of loud performers.
Parent Prep
No specific preparation is needed; the book can be read cold. The themes of talent, performance, and what makes a person valuable are rich ground for discussion but don't require pre-teaching. A parent might want to be ready to talk about how different kinds of skills, like observation and logic, are just as important as more visible talents. The parent hears their child say something like, "I'm not good at anything," or notices their child seems to feel overshadowed by more extroverted peers or siblings. The child might seem to be searching for a passion or a way to feel unique.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will latch onto the magical premise of invisibility and the fun of the mystery. An older reader (10-12) will better appreciate Konigsburg's sophisticated prose, the witty dialogue, and the deeper thematic exploration of identity, purpose, and the metaphor of invisibility for feeling unseen.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many fantasy books, the quest is intimate and personal, not world-saving. E.L. Konigsburg's signature intellectual wit sets this book apart. It prioritizes cleverness, observation, and character insight over magical battles, making it a story that celebrates the power of the mind and the quiet strengths of introverted children.
Read plot summary
Two eleven-year-old children, Jeanmarie and Malcolm, discover a secret community in a local shopping center called Jericho Tel. There, they meet the ghost of a famous actress, Tallulah, who died decades earlier. Tallulah makes them invisible and tasks them with finding her lost raven necklace, which she believes is in the possession of one of the quirky street performers who frequent the center. The children must use their unique observational and logical skills to solve the mystery, learning about themselves and the nature of talent along the way.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Tallulah tells Jeanmarie and Malcolm that 'everyone has a pack of lies inside them'. What do you think she meant by that? How is a 'story' different from a 'lie' in this book?
2
Jeanmarie feels invisible even before Tallulah makes her actually invisible. How did being truly invisible change the way she saw herself and her own talents?
3
Malcolm relies on logic and science. How did his scientific way of thinking help him on a magical quest? Do you think magic and logic are always opposites?
4
Each street performer had a very specific talent. Which performer did you find most interesting, and why? What did the children learn from observing them so closely?
5
At the end, the children are given a choice about their reward. Why do you think they made the choice they did? What would you have chosen?
