47 pages • 1 hour read
Neil Patrick Harris, Illustr. Lissy MarlinThe Magic Misfits
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2017A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Symbols & Motifs
Carter’s Satchel
Carter owns no possessions save a leather satchel that he carries with him everywhere. The satchel contains everything he needs, such as spare socks, his magic supplies, and, most importantly, the only item that connects him to his deceased parents. Although Harris never reveals the contents of the small wooden box, it is clear that the item holds great sentimental value to Carter and represents a connection to his family of origin. The satchel contains memories and secrets that connect him to his past and shape his future.
The satchel also symbolizes security and Carter’s sense of identity. As he runs from Uncle Sly, he almost loses hold of the bag, and the first thing he does when safely inside the train is to ensure that the box is intact. Feeling the weight of the satchel strapped across him anchors him whenever he feels lost and untethered. Since Carter has no permanent home, the bag represents the only constant in his life. The wooden box is engraved with his father’s initials, a tangible reminder that Carter once had a loving family. Thus, the satchel also represents his hope that he might find that sense of belonging again. As the satchel cradles his head on the train ride, the 
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