The Rambling

By Jimmy Cajoleas

A boy must master a magical card game to save his father from a powerful crime lord.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 146 ratings

304 pages· 68,660 words· Est. 9.5 hour read

$16.99Save 7%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Buddy Pennington ventures to river country, seeking a fresh start with his legendary father, a master of the magical card game Parsnit. But when his father is captured by Boss Authority, a fearsome crime lord, Buddy must embark on a perilous rescue mission. As the stars align for a final epic duel, Buddy must learn the secrets of Parsnit, relying on a sticky-fingered ally and a stroke of luck. In a world where stories hold power, can Buddy craft the tale that will save his father and change their fate?

From the publisher

From the author of Goldeline, a Booklist Top 10 First Novels for Youth pick, comes a mesmerizing middle grade fantasy about family and the power of storytelling. Perfect for fans of The Girl Who Drank the Moon and The Thickety. Buddy Pennington is headed to river country, hoping his luck might change. He’ll be better off with his daddy, a wandering soul and a local legend for his skills at Parsnit, a mysterious card game of magic, chance, and storytelling. But no sooner are Buddy and his pop reunited than some of Pop’s old enemies arrive to take him away. Boss Authority, the magical crime lord who has held the rivers in his grasp for years, is ready to collect on an old debt Buddy’s father owes. Now Buddy must set out on a dangerous rescue mission, learning to play Parsnit with the best of them as he goes. Because the stars are aligning for one last epic duel—one that will require a sticky-fingered ally, a lucky twist of fate, and the hand of a lifetime. And in this game, you’re only as strong as the story you tell.

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