The Rope Trick by Lloyd Alexander

Lidi is a traveling magician who has mastered nearly every trick, but Ferramondo's rope trick. She travels the land, doing shows and searching for the illusive Ferramondo. Although she has difficulty finding the magician she seeks, she makes many friends and also a few enemies along her way. Young Daniella, a small and clairvoyant girl, is the first to join her crew. She meets many others and each person teaches her something about life along the way.

Lloyd Alexander creates wonderful characters and an entertaining story for young readers and adults alike. Readers 9 and up will enjoy the story, but adults and older readers will get an even greater depth from this book. It is a good one to read aloud or do for a parent /child book group.