About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is craving a high-stakes adventure that balances wild imagination with the deep emotional pull of family reconnections. This installment of the Molly Moon series follows the world-famous hypnotist as she discovers the ability to read minds and travels to a futuristic world to rescue a twin brother she never knew she had. It is a fantastic choice for readers who feel a bit like outsiders or who are navigating the complexities of sibling relationships. While the story is packed with science-fiction elements like mind-control machines and time travel, at its heart, it explores the lengths one will go to for family and the importance of using one's unique talents for good. The tone is humorous and fast-paced, making it an excellent bridge for 8 to 12 year olds who enjoy cinematic storytelling. Parents will appreciate the way it models bravery and perseverance in the face of daunting, often surreal, challenges.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: There are scenes involving the 'mind machine' which effectively brainwashes people, stripping them of their free will and personality. For sensitive readers, the concept of losing control over one's own thoughts might be unsettling. Additionally, Princess Fang's cruelty toward Micky and Molly, including moments of imprisonment and psychological manipulation, creates a sense of high tension. CONVERSATION: Parents may want to discuss the ethics of mind-reading and hypnosis. Molly often uses her powers to manipulate others, even for 'good' reasons. This provides a natural opening to talk about consent, privacy, and the responsibility that comes with having power over others.
Ideal Reader
A 10-year-old who loves gadgets and time-travel stories, but also someone who feels a strong protective streak toward their siblings or friends.
Parent Prep
This can be read cold, though familiarity with Molly’s hypnotic background from previous books helps. Preview the scenes involving the Mind Machine if your child is particularly sensitive to themes of brainwashing. The primary distress points are the threat of permanent family separation and the depiction of a child being held captive and exploited.
Age Experience
Younger readers will focus on the cool futuristic gadgets and the funny moments with Petula the pug. Older readers will pick up on the satirical elements of the future society and the moral weight of Molly's powers.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many fantasy series, Georgia Byng blends traditional 'magic' (hypnosis) with hard sci-fi and time travel, creating a unique genre mash-up that feels both whimsical and high-tech.
Read plot summary
Molly Moon discovers she has a long-lost twin brother, Micky Minus, who has been kidnapped and taken to the future by the villainous Princess Fang. Armed with her hypnotic powers and a new ability to read minds, Molly travels through time to the year 2999. There, she must navigate a world of advanced technology, eccentric villains, and a machine designed to control the thoughts of everyone on Earth.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
If you could read people's minds like Molly, would you use that power? Why or why not?
2
Molly has to decide whether to trust people in the future. How does she figure out who her real friends are?
3
Princess Fang wants to control everyone's thoughts to make the world 'perfect.' What are the dangers of everyone thinking exactly the same way?
4
Molly and Micky are twins who grew up apart. In what ways are they similar, and how did their different lives change them?
5
How does Molly's relationship with her dog, Petula, help her when things get difficult in the future?
