Delia Sherman
Candlewick Press
September 13th
Nick runs away from his abusive uncle in the middle of the winter in Maine. It’s pretty cold, and his last begged meal was just a bit too long ago. He stumbles on a ramshackle house; it says it’s the Evil Wizard Bookstore. The old man inside gives him food and a place to stay for the night, but tells him he’s now the apprentice to The Evil Wizard Smallbone.
Nick finds he can’t leave the grounds of the bookstore. Every time he tries, he ends up back on the porch. He has no choice but to bide his time and figure out how to escape.
Smallbone is grumpy and strange, and seems to have no interest in teaching Nick any magic at all. With the help of the bookstore, it looks like Nick will just have to teach himself, and find a way to escape.
Smallbone’s rival, the Evil Wizard Fidelou is trying to break through Smallbone’s defenses and take over his town. Nick grows afraid that maybe Smallbone could be in over his head, and maybe Smallbone isn’t so bad after all.
Sherman writes a quirky, charming story about a boy who learns how to rely on himself, and how to see past face value. Often, you read articles ridiculing adults for reading children’s or Young Adult fiction, but those articles miss something essential; While younger readers need to hear these messages, adult readers sometimes need these reminders too.
Wonderful book to pick up this fall season and share with your young reader. It’s sure to become a staple in children’s literature and a favorite of many.
JL Jamieson is a strange book nerd who writes technical documents by day, and book news, reviews, and other assorted opinions for you by night. She is working on her own fiction, and spends time making jewelry to sell at local conventions, as well as stalking the social media accounts of all your favorite writers.