Content Warning: This section of the guide contains descriptions of child abuse and neglect.

The narrator greets the reader directly and asks if they believe in magic. They then explain that magic is defined in many ways and is not limited to doing tricks. People can find magic in everyday things, including books. This book is about a boy who forgot how to find magic in his life, and the narrator claims that the story can help readers learn about magic if they follow the instructions. The book includes coded messages, magic lessons, and stories of adventure. The reader can find the coded messages by looking for the capital letters in each section. The narrator says that magicians must always protect their secrets and only share them with other magicians.

The coded message is “Hey there, this book is filled with secrets and a hidden thing or three” (Prologue).

It is late at night, and a shadowy figure chases Carter Locke through the train yard. Carter intends to jump into the moving train to escape, but he is carrying a satchel and worries that he won’t make it because the train is gaining speed.