Enjoy four novels and one short story collection featuring the master enchanter Chrestomanci
Charmed Life
WINNER OF ENGLAND'S GUARDIAN AWARD COMMENDED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL AN ABA "PICK OF THE LISTS"
"Set in a time vaguely reminiscent of Edwardian England, the novel presumes the existence of numerous worlds -- past, present, and future -- each with its own history. The concept is ingenious...and shy small Cat, intimidated by his selfish sister, is a particularly appealing character". -- The Horn Book
The Magicians of Caprona
"A wicked enchanter is at work undermining the charms which once defended [Caprona] from its foes.... The author has a remarkable talent for creating a time which never was, yet which seems believably familiar....A gorgeous concoction of humor, suspense, and romance". -- The Horn Book
Witch Week
A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
-- "This is a remarkably adroit blending of vivid fantasy, a funny and perceptive school story, and a thoughtful commentary on how,thin the line that separates what is from what might be".
-- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)
The Lives of Christopher Chant
AN ALA NOTABLE BOOK
A NEBULA AWARD NOMINEE
-- "Wonderfully entertaining. A born storyteller weaves her own brand of magic.... Marvelously funny moments sparkle throughout".
-- The Horn Book (starred review)
Mixed Magics: Four Tales of Chrestomanci
These Chrestomanci stories feature characters from the novels and memorable new personalities in four fast-paced, witty adventures.
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Gr 5-8-Four previously published stories of varying length. The first and shortest is about a magicless warlock who suddenly finds himself in a new world, with his magic restored. He lands in the hands of a spoiled little girl and her dog. Given the choice of jail or caring for the youngster, he chooses the former. The longest of the stories involves Cat Chant and new boy Tonino Montana. They are sent on a disastrous visit that ends with them releasing the souls of eight enchanters from the power of an evil enchanter. Story three, which is perhaps the most fun, is about Carol Oneir, "the world's youngest best-selling dreamer." Her hovering mother and her own desires for the trappings of fame are too much pressure for her though, and her dreams dry up. With the direct help of Chrestomanci, Carol discovers that her main characters are unhappy; as they escape from her dreams, she is released to live a relatively normal life as well. The last story features Thasper, son of a god, who is destined to bring down the order of Heaven. His father's attempts to avert the disaster will leave readers scratching their heads and pondering the effects of even the simplest act on everything else in space and time. The plots are fully realized and engaging, but characterizations are uneven-Thasper and the Willing Warlock are rather flat, while Carol and her dream folk leap right off the page. "Chrestomanci" fans will best appreciate this book. For a truly delightful short-story collection, try Michael Stearns's A Wizard's Dozen (Harcourt, 1993).-Patricia A. Dollisch, DeKalb County Public Library, Decatur, GACopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From: Reed Elsevier Inc.
Copyright Reed Business Information
Diana Wynne Jones was born in London in 1934. She grew up amidst the destruction of World War II, and as a result her family moved around a lot as she was growing up, before finally settling in Essex. Not being able to get many books, Jones and her sister made up their own stories, and though Jones was dyslexic, she wrote down her stories anyway. Between the ages of 12 and 14 she filled more than twenty notebooks with two stories.
In 1953, Jones began school at St. Anne's College Oxford and attended lectures by J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. After graduation, Jones continued to write, creating plays for children that were performed at the London Arts Theatre. Her first book was published in 1973, and in 1977, her book Charmed Life won the Guardian Award for Children's Books. She was twice runner up for the Carnegie Medal and in 1999 won the Mythopeic Award and the Karl Edward Wagner Award.
(Bowker Author Biography)
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