Magical Mayhem
A Mini-Bibliography for Young Adult Readers
To order any of these titles, contact the library by email, mail or phone. You may also request these titles online through our OPAC. Happy Reading!
Cassette Books
Alchemy by Margaret Mahy.
RC 57236.
Seventeen-year-old Roland is blackmailed by his teacher, Mr. Hudson, to spy on unpopular girl classmate Jess Ferret. Roland discovers that she is studying alchemy and that their destinies are linked with that of a power-hungry magician. Some strong language. For senior high readers.
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud.
RC 58011.
Nathaniel, a magician's apprentice, summons up the djinni Bartimaeus and instructs him to steal the Amulet of Samarkand from the powerful magician Simon Lovelace. For junior and senior high readers.
Beast under the Wizard’s Bridge by John Bellairs.
RC 58247.
Lewis Barnavelt tries to avert disaster when the destruction of an old bridge threatens to release a diabolical force, the legacy of a long-dead evil magician. For grades 5-8.
Bill Severn’s Big Book of Magic by Bill Severn.
RC 10828.
The world of magicwith detailed instructions for dozens of tricks using simple, homemade props. For junior and senior high and adult readers.
Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones.
RC 36597.
Abdullah, a young carpet merchant, spends much of his time creating a richly embellished daydream in which he is the long-lost son of a great prince. Lately, the daydream has focused on the princess to whom Abdullah imagines he is betrothed. Acquiring a threadbare, self-centered magic carpet, he embarks on a string of adventures that begins when he flies to see his beloved. Companion to Howl's Moving Castle (RC 25892). For grades 6-9 and older readers.
Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones.
RC 48321.
For forty years Mr. Chesney, supported by a demon, has imposed his tour groups ("pilgrim parties") on the worn-out kings, dragons, elves, and farmers of the community. This year an unusual wizard, Derk, becomes the Dark Lord and involves his whole family—even the griffins—in stopping Mr. Chesney. For junior and senior high readers.
Fire Arrow by Edith Pattou.
RC 47823.
Brie, the young archer who accompanied Collun to rescue his sister in Hero's Song (RC 47822), takes her own journey to avenge her father's murder. Her nurse's last words lead Brie to a magic arrow and other omens and thence to Dungal, where danger awaits. For grades 5-8.
First Rider’s Call by Kristen Britain.
RC 56909.
After helping save King Zachary's throne, Green Rider Karigan G'ladheon wants to resume her old life. However, with Riders dying out she is recalled to duty by Lil Ambriodhe, dead for a millennium, who had founded the Riders. Sequel to Green Rider (RC 56903). For senior high and older readers.
Green Rider by Kristen Britain.
RC 56903.
Karigan G'ladheon, heading home through Green Cloak woods after expulsion from school, encounters a dying Green Rider. Accepting the Rider's magic brooch and allowing his horse to guide her, Karigan agrees to carry his message to King Zachary—a perilous journey. Precedes FirstRider's Call (RC 56909). For senior high and older readers.
Hero’s Song by Edith Pattou.
RC 47822.
In the kingdom of Eirren, Collun prefers gardening to fighting wars. Yet when his sister is kidnapped, Collun leaves to rescue her. On his quest he encounters a wizard, learns his true parentage, and confronts the loathsome Firewurme. Prequel to Fire Arrow (RC 47823). For grades 5-8.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.
RC 25892.
As the eldest of three daughters, Sophie Hatter knows that—according to fairy-tale convention--she's expected to fail first and worst when she sets out to seek her fortune. When the Ingarian countryside is threatened by both the moving castle of Wizard Howl and the schemes of the Witch of the Waste, Sophie finds a kind of courage and determination she's never known before. A magical fantasy for grades 6-9.
Inkheart by Cornelia Caroline Funke.
RC 57116.
Twelve-year-old Meggie lives with her father, Mo, a bookbinder. She discovers a terrible secret: nine years ago when Mo read aloud from a book the characters appeared in real life while her mother disappeared into the story. Mo's magic causes still more problems to solve. For grades 5-8 and older readers.
The Legend of Tarik by Walter Dean Myers.
RC 44203.
As a young boy, Tarik first saw his mother and a brother killed and then a few days later watched as his father and other brother were slaughtered by an evil warrior known as El Muerte. Tarik vows revenge but knows he will need help. First he must seek a magicsword, a priceless crystal, and a black horse. Some violence. For junior and senior high readers.
Magic Can Be Murder by Vivian Vande Velde.
RC 54366.
A tale that combines good witches who cast spells (teenage Nola and her mother), a murder mystery, and a love story. Nola sees a murder through her magic ability and is afraid to reveal herself as a witch to the attractive young investigator. For junior and senior high readers.
The Magic Circle by Donna Jo Napoli.
RC 39230.
A midwife-cum-sorceress known simply as the Ugly One narrates this riveting tale of how, tricked by the devil's minions, she loses her gifts of healing and is forced to become a witch. Escaping from the stake, she ekes out a solitary existence in an enchanted forest, where she has decorated her house with sweets in memory of her beloved daughter. Then she takes in two wandering children named Hansel and Gretel. For grades 6-9 and older readers.
The Magic Orange Tree, and Other Haitian Folk Tales by Diane Wolkstein.
RC 12963.
Twenty-seven spirited tales in which magic becomes real. An orange tree grows at the command of a mistreated child, a bone sings, and animals become human before changing to animals again. For grades 5-8 and older interested readers.
The Magician’s Apprentice by Tom McGowen.
RC 31655.
When Tigg, a twelve-year-old pickpocket, is caught searching magician Armindor's house, the magician takes him on as an apprentice. Armindor proposes a journey to the Wild Lands and Tigg agrees to come along. On the way Tigg rescues Reepah, a furry creature, who warns them that they are being followed by the evil "Isst." Armindor ignores the warning until it is nearly too late. For grades 5-8.
The Magician’s Company by Tom McGowen.
RC 31609.
The magician Armindor, Tigg, his apprentice, and puppeteer Jilla are in the city of Inbal. They are still carrying the mysterious ancient objects from the Age of Magic. Armindor plans to ask his fellow magicians to help him discover the purposes of the objects. They are also carrying a warning that reen, intelligent ratlike creatures, plan to destroy all humans. Sequel to The Magician's Apprentice. For grades 5-8.
The Merlin Conspiracy by Diana Wynne Jones.
RC 56442.
Roddy and her dyslexic friend Grundo, a younger brother figure, suspect that Merlin's sudden death was murder. When another teenager, Nick, appears from an alternate British world, the three combine their emerging magical talents to investigate, unaware of the dangers they will confront. For grades 6-9 and older readers.
Moon Mirror by Andre Norton.
RC 32320.
A collection of nine short stories by the well-known science fiction and fantasy writer. Leading off, a young girl struggles to come to terms with the psychic powers she's acquired after a head injury. A toymaker uses an elf's magic gift, not for personal gain, but to allow him to work the magic of his craft. And an old lady stitches wonderful needlework pictures with a magic needle. For junior and senior high and older readers.
Not What You Expected by Joan Aiken.
RC 10116.
Twenty-one short stories in which magic, merriment, and suspense create another world where anything is possible. A telephone puts a girl in touch with an ancient king, a dragon keeps a museum, and the devil conducts a pop music group. For grades 6-9.
Red Hart Magic by Andre Morton.
RC 12262.
A time-warp fantasy in which an exquisite miniature of an old inn carries Chris and his new stepsister back to the time of King James in England, where they test their courage against danger. For grades 5-8.
The Ropemaker by Peter Dickinson.
RC 54240.
When the magic that protects their Valley starts to fail, Tilja and her companions journey into the evil Empire to find the ancient magician, Faheel, who originally cast those spells. For grades 6-9 and older readers. Printz Honor Book.
Shadows and Moonshine by Joan Aiken.
RC 57152.
Thirteen of the author's favorite stories, many involving witches or wolves. In "John Sculpin and the Witches," young John lives among so many witches that he cannot outsmart all of them. In "Cat's Cradle," a sailor is tricked into marriage but rescued by a mermaid. For grades 5-8.
Sorcery and Cecelia; or, The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, Being the Correspondence of Two Young Ladies of Quality regarding Various Magical Scandals in London and the Country by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer.
RC 57183.
In 1817 in England, two young cousins, Cecilia living in the country and Kate in London, write letters to keep each other informed of their exploits, which take a sinister turn when they find themselves confronted by evil wizards. For junior and senior high readers.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman.
RC 49777.
The town of Wall in rural England borders on a bewitched meadow inhabited by Faeries. At a festival, Dunstan Thorn, of Wall, mates with a Faerie lass and produces a son, Tristran. Years later, Tristran promises his intended to retrieve a fallen star and embarks on an arduous quest. Some violence. For high school and adult readers.
Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin.
RC 53468.
Contains five tales providing background to Le Guin's Earthsea novels. The short novella, "Finder," reveals how the school on Roke was founded. Another tale relates the story of a young man who would rather be a musician than a mage. For grades 6-9 and older readers.
Tom’s Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce.
RC 27914.
When Tom is banished to his aunt and uncle’s for the summer holidays, due to this brother’s measles, he is angry. But Tom is pleased to discover the Midnight Garden where the clock strikes 13 and the seasons change from day to day. For grades 5-8.
The Tower at the End of the World by Brad Strickland.
RC 57295.
Lewis and Rose Rita battle Ishmael Izard, the son of the evil magician who tried to destroy the world with the Doomsday Clock. For grades 5-8.
Twelve Impossible Things Before Breakfast by Jane Yolen.
RC 45662.
A collection of twelve fantasy stories. Some are modern versions of well-known tales: "Tough Alice" is a variation on Alice in Wonderland, "The Bridge's Complaint" comes from The Three Billygoats Gruff, and "Lost Girls" is based on Peter Pan. Others include characters from a fairy to a sea monster to aliens. For grades 5-8.
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett.
RC 56709.
A young witch-to-be named Tiffany teams up with the Wee Free Men, a clan of six-inch-high blue men, to rescue her baby brother and ward off a sinister invasion from Fairyland. For grades 6-9.
Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson.
RC 49756.
Weary of being a wizard, Arriman has been waiting hopefully for his replacement to arrive. He finally resigns himself to marrying a witch who can give him a successor. Beautiful Belladonna wishes to become his bride, but she must first turn her white magic black. For grades 5-8.
The White Witch of Kynance by Mary Calhoun.
RC 24469.
Jennet, a poor girl who lives in superstition-haunted sixteenth-century Cornwall, is determined to master white magic so she can overcome the powerful witches of evil. For grades 5-8.
Wise Child by Monica Furlong.
RC 29536.
Juniper, a kind and loving sorceress shunned by the inhabitants of a remote Scottish village, agrees to take nine-year-old Wise Child into her home. The precocious Wise Child has been abandoned by her mother, an evil sorceress. With Juniper, Wise Child learns about the healing arts, magic, and superstition. When her mother returns and seeks to claim her, Wise Child also learns about love and loyalty. For grades 6-9.
The Wish by Gail Carson Levine.
RC 53085.
When eighth grader Wilma is granted one wish by a mysterious old lady on the subway, she asks to be the most popular kid in her school. School only lasts for another three weeks, so the spell soon wears off—but Wilma comes to understand the true meaning of friendship. For grades 5-8.
Wishing Season by Esther M. Friesner.
RC 40094.
Khalid, one of the smartest genies in his class, receives an early chance to earn a lamp of his own. His first master is a scraggly black cat whose requests are simply: "Food. Clean fur. Loving home." But Khalid soon discovers a cat doesn't qualify as a master and he returns to offer three wishes to the cat's new owner, Haroun. Trouble arises when impatient Khalid forgets to inform Haroun of the limit on wishes. For high school and older readers.
Witches of Karres by James H. Schmitz.
RC 58044.
Captain Pausert, a commercial space trader, rescues what he thinks are three slave girls on the planet of Porlumma. But Maleen, Goth, and the Leewit are actually witches with special powers. The authorities are after all of them. For junior and senior high readers.
The Witches of Worm by Zilpha Keatley Snyder.
RC 41124.
Twelve-year-old Jessica is angry that her mother goes out all the time and that her two best friends have left her for other people. Sulking in her secret cave with a book on witchcraft, Jessica finds a tiny newborn kitten. Her cat-loving neighbor tells Jessica how to care for the kitten, but Jessica hates cats, and this one looks like a worm. Then she begins getting messages from Worm, who says he's a witch's cat. For grades 5-8.
Year of the Griffin by Diana Wynne Jones.
RC 51942.
It is eight years after Mr. Chesney's Pilgrim Tours—as described in Dark Lord of Derkholm (RC 48321)—ended, and Elda, the griffin daughter of the wizard Derk, arrives at the Wizards' University. She encounters new friends, pirates, assassins, worry, sabotage, bloodshed, and misused magic. For junior and senior high readers.
Braille Books
Inkheart by Cornelia Caroline Funke.
BR 14997.
Twelve-year-old Meggie lives with her father, Mo, a bookbinder. She discovers a terrible secret: nine years ago when Mo read aloud from a book the characters appeared in real life while her mother disappeared into the story. Mo's magic causes still more problems to solve. For grades 5-8 and older readers.
The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter by David Colbert.
BR 14468.
Examines the link between the Harry Potter books' images, characters, and themes and their roots in myths and folklore—decoding Rowling's clues to reveal hidden meanings. Discusses magic spells, supernatural beasts, the origin of names, and facts about wizards. For grades 4-7 and older interested readers.
The Magician’s Apprentice by Tom McGowen.
BR 8046.
When Tigg, a twelve-year-old pickpocket, is caught searching magician Armindor's house, the magician takes him on as an apprentice. Armindor proposes a journey to the Wild Lands and Tigg agrees to come along. On the way Tigg rescues Reepah, a furry creature, who warns them that they are being followed by the evil "Isst." Armindor ignores the warning until it is nearly too late. For grades 5-8.
The Magician’s Company by Tom McGowen.
BR 8275.
The magician Armindor, Tigg, his apprentice, and puppeteer Jilla are in the city of Inbal. They are still carrying the mysterious ancient objects from the Age of Magic. Armindor plans to ask his fellow magicians to help him discover the purposes of the objects. They are also carrying a warning that reen, intelligent ratlike creatures, plan to destroy all humans. Sequel to "The Magician's Apprentice." For grades 5-8.
Merlin’s Kin by Josepha Sherman.
BR 13116.
A collection of thirty international folktales, featuring both the traditional magician, whose power comes from books or spells, and the shaman, who is a priest and healer as well as a wizard. The stories come from the British Isles, Europe, Russia, the Far East, Native American nations, and Africa. For grades 5-8.
Roverandom by J.R.R. Tolkien.
BR 11808.
A young and foolish dog is turned into a toy after biting a sorcerer. As a plaything, Roverandom is owned by a little boy named Two. After many adventures, Roverandom manages to turn back into a real dog. For junior and senior high and older readers.
Schemers, Dreamers, and Medicine Men: Witchcraft and Magic among Primitive People by Gordon Cortis Baldwin.
BR 1658.
An introduction to the religion and magic of various primitive people, and an examination of the magic and witchcraft of more technological societies which explains the relationships between our own superstitions and those of more primitive believers. For grades 6-9.
Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin.
BR 14051.
Contains five tales providing background to Le Guin's Earthsea novels. The short novella, "Finder," reveals how the school on Roke was founded. Another tale relates the story of a young man who would rather be a musician than a mage. For grades 6-9 and older readers.
Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black.
BR 15101.
Sixteen-year-old Kaye, the daughter of a wannabe rock singer now living at the Jersey shore, has been visited by faeries all her life. She discovers that she is a changeling with a special destiny that includes a handsome knight and a war. Strong language. For senior high readers.
The Warriors of Camlann by N.M. Browne.
BR 15112.
Armed with their respective powers as warrior and magician, Dan and Ursula attempt to return to their own time through the Veil but instead find themselves in the turbulent era of the early Middle Ages in the service of Artorius Ursus, War Duke of Britain. Some violence. For junior and senior high readers.
Large Print Books
Stardust by Neil Gaiman.
LP 799.
The town of Wall in rural England borders on a bewitched meadow inhabited by Faeries. At a festival, Dunstan Thorn, of Wall, mates with a Faerie lass and produces a son, Tristran. Years later, Tristran promises his intended to retrieve a fallen star and embarks on an arduous quest. Some violence. For high school and adult readers.
Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black.
LP 1276.
Sixteen-year-old Kaye, the daughter of a wannabe rock singer now living at the Jersey shore, has been visited by faeries all her life. She discovers that she is a changeling with a special destiny that includes a handsome knight and a war. Strong language. For senior high readers.
Which Witch? by Eva Ibbotson.
LP 807.
Weary of being a wizard, Arriman has been waiting hopefully for his replacement to arrive. He finally resigns himself to marrying a witch who can give him a successor. Beautiful Belladonna wishes to become his bride, but she must first turn her white magic black. For grades 5-8.
The Witches of Worm by Zilpha Keatley Snyder.
LP 1473.
Twelve-year-old Jessica is angry that her mother goes out all the time and that her two best friends have left her for other people. Sulking in her secret cave with a book on witchcraft, Jessica finds a tiny newborn kitten. Her cat-loving neighbor tells Jessica how to care for the kitten, but Jessica hates cats, and this one looks like a worm. Then she begins getting messages from Worm, who says he's a witch's cat. For grades 5-8.