The Wizard's Den: Spellbinding Stories of Magic and Magicians
This is a spellbinding collection of tales from the 20th century, featuring a story from E. Nesbit, whose writings inspired a young girl to pen her own tales of magic and sign them with only initials-J. K. Rowling. Also included are wizard stories from such diverse writers as Philip Pullman, Jacqueline Wilson, Roald Dahl, and Diana Wynne Jones.\ Author Biography: Peter Haining is the editor of many story collections, including Scary and The Wizards of Odd.
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This is a spellbinding collection of tales from the 20th century, featuring a story from E. Nesbit, whose writings inspired a young girl to pen her own tales of magic and sign them with only initials-J. K. Rowling. Also included are wizard stories from such diverse writers as Philip Pullman, Jacqueline Wilson, Roald Dahl, and Diana Wynne Jones.Author Biography: Peter Haining is the editor of many story collections, including Scary and The Wizards of Odd.Curious ParentOpen the pages and prepare to enter the wonderful world of wizardry.
\ Curious ParentOpen the pages and prepare to enter the wonderful world of wizardry.\ \ \ \ \ Publishers WeeklyThe Wizard's Den: Spellbinding Stories of Magic and Magicians, edited by Peter Haining, offers 15 captivating stories about wizards by renowned authors of the 20th century. From E. Nesbit's "Professor de Lara and the Twopenny Spell" to Diana Wynne Jones's "Carol Oneir's Hundredth Dream," and including stories by Joan Aiken, Roald Dahl, Ray Bradbury and Philip Pullman, there is something for every admirer of the fantastic in this bewitching volume. Short profiles of the authors detail their most important contributions to the genre. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.\ \ \ VOYAHaining's collection of sixteen short stories provides a solid introduction to the fantasy genre. Featured are some of the best-known writers of the twentieth century, including Phillip Pullman, Ray Bradbury, and Roald Dahl. Also included is a story by E. Nesbit, whom Haining cites as an early influence on J. K. Rowling. The variety of subjects gives this book broad appeal. Humorous stories, such as Nesbit's Professor de Lara and the Twopenny Spell and Jacqueline Wilson's The Magic of Flying, feature ordinary children discovering magical powers: "They flew from the top of the stairs to the bottom, zig-zagging a little and landing in a heap in the hall, but it was a proper flight for all that." Other stories present a darker tone and include elements of the occult, such as in Manly Wade Wellman's School for the Unspeakable: "You'd have sucked out his blood to teem your own dead veins, damned him to your filthy condition." Still other works such as Pullman's Something to Read are classic "be careful what you wish for" tales: "And now she knew precisely what hell meant. It meant having all the books in the world, for ever, and nothing to read." Haining includes an author biography and brief introduction for every story. He often relates these tales to the Harry Potter series, stories with which he assumes his reader is familiar. Even for those without a particular interest in fantasy, this collection provides entertaining reading. It is suitable for most junior high readers. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P J (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2003 (orig. 2001), Souvenir Press, 320p, \ — Christine Sanderson\ \ \ \ \ School Library JournalGr 5-8-These short stories of magical fantasy will attract Harry Potter fans, but not all of the selections are completely satisfying. Haining's introduction to the world of wizardry is a bit stilted and contains some typographical errors. Roald Dahl, Ray Bradbury, Joan Aiken, Diana Wynne Jones, and E. Nesbit are among the 15 notable authors represented. Some of the older stories seem a bit dated and may not have much appeal to American readers. Almost all of the selections have appeared elsewhere. One of the shortest and most chilling stories is William Nolan's "My Name Is Dolly," about a girl who gets revenge on her abuser with a doll that is her duplicate. Philip Pullman's "Something to Read" is about a girl who loves to read and the tragedy that results from her obsession. Jacqueline Wilson's "The Magic of Flying" is a funny tale about a magical toad that tries to teach an inept little girl how to fly. This somewhat uneven collection may not be a necessary purchase but those who sample these varied stories will be rewarded by many of them.-Sharon Rawlins, Piscataway Public Library, NJ Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.\ \
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