Have you ever read a really good book?  A book so believable and epic that you wished the characters of the novel actually existed?  Well, maybe there is a way they can.  In Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart, Meggie is a 12-year-old girl book-lover whose father, Mo, refurbishes books.  Her mother mysteriously disappeared when she was three.  One day, a person named Dustfinger arrives at their home, calling Mo “Silvertongue” and warning him that a person named Capricorn is after his book Inkheart. It is upon Dustfinger’s arrival that Meggie learns of her father’s extraordinary talent.

Each time Mo reads a story, the characters are transported into their twenty-first century world.  Once a character is out of their book, they are essentially “transported” out of the story, meaning that other characters in the book acknowledge his or her absence.

When Meggie finds out about Mo’s gift, she is immediately intrigued but cannot understand why her father has not read out loud to her since she was a toddler.  Meggie later discovers the consequences of this talent when she learns that in order for a story character to come out of a book, something has to take its place within the book.  This item can be anything near the reader, including tables, chairs, or even people.  When Mo read Inkheart to little Meggie and his wife Resa many years ago, the characters Capricorn and Dustfinger emerged from the book, replacing their absence with Meggie’s mother and a cat.

Since then, Mo has never read aloud to Meggie because he is afraid of what might happen.  Meanwhile, Capricorn has become accustomed to the new world and plots to conquer it through Inkheart.  Capricorn is in possession of another “Silvertongue” and is trying to transport evil forces from the book world.

Meggie, Mo, and Dustfinger are soon on a journey that will change all of their lives.  What Meggie does not know is that Mo’s talent is hereditary and that she will also be hunted for this interesting power.

Overall, Inkheart is a very good and exciting read.  Characters from classic tales such as The Wizard of Oz and 1001 Arabian Nights make stunning cameos and truly add to the magic of the story.  The action and plot twists certainly make up for the presence of several undeveloped characters.  Highly recommended for people who enjoy getting lost in a good book.