The son of a magician, Buster Oregon Mortensen is a gifted conjurer in his own right and he frequently uses a magic trick to get himself out of a tight spot, whether he finds himself in the principal's office or on a deserted street corner, facing the notorious neighborhood bully, Lars. The indomitable Buster is a resourceful and enchanting protagonist, a scrappy survivor in a world that is not always friendly to him. A satisfying novel set in contemporary Copenhagen is textured with humor, tenderness and poignance. Honor Book, 1989 CCBC Batchelder Discussion. (Ages 8-12)