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| HOME | WESTERN | CRIME and MYSTERY | ROMANCE | CHRISTIAN | SCI-FI | FANTASY Author: A through M | N through Z | HORROR |
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| Newman, Sharan | Guinevere |
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Publication Date |
1981 |
| Number of Pages | 257 |
| Geographical Setting | Old Britain |
| Time Period | Arthurian |
| Series | The Guinevere Trilogy |
| Plot Summary | Guinevere
is the beautiful yet naïve daughter of Guenlian and Leodegrance.
All who know her love her, all except her older cousin Merlin
who always seems to be judging her. Why does Merlin seem this
way, and why is he always trying to keep her away from meeting
the handsome war hero Arthur? Guinevere ponders these questions
at a distance, for she is far too busy to be too concerned about
anything but her Unicorn. This magical creature seems to be a part of her, a part she can not leave behind at any cost. Unfortunately this may be impossible since Arthur has determined that he will marry Guinevere and wants them both to rule the New Britain he envisions, one built on the Christian religion and not on the Old Ways. |
| Appeal | Arthurian legend told from the perspective of Guinevere and tells her history. Romance and adventure story. |
| Notes | Has
a unicorn. Pagan rituals described. Incest and rape are mentioned. |
| Reviewer/Date | Sarah R. Comfort 8/3/00 |
| Rowling, J.K. | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone |
|
Publication Date |
1997 |
| Number of Pages | 309 |
| Geographical Setting | England and a magical parallel land |
| Time Period | The present |
| Series | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |
| Similar Author/Title | C. S. Lewis-The Chronicles of Narnia. Piers Anthony-Xanth series. |
| Plot Summary | For most of his life, Harry Potter has lived a miserable existence with his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and his bullying cousin Dudley. On his eleventh birthday, he receives the exciting news that he has just been accepted to Hogwarts, a school for wizards. At Hogwarts he makes friends, learns to play Quidditch—a soccer-like game where the players fly around on broomsticks—and helps to hatch a dragon. He also finds out about a magical stone that is hidden in the basement and guarded by a giant, three-headed dog. The stone can make one rich as well as grant immortality. One of the school’s professors is intent on stealing it. As Harry and his friends try to thwart the thief, they encounter a shocking surprise. |
| Appeal | Humorous names and descriptions. Misfit protagonist who triumphs. Phenomenally popular book that is enjoyed by both children and adults. Intriguing plot twists. |
| Notes | Emphasis on witchcraft, witches and ghosts. |
| Reviewer/Date | Donna Marie Atmur 8/3/00 |
| Rowling, J.K. | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone |
|
Publication Date |
1997 |
| Number of Pages | 309 |
| Geographical Setting | The world of "Muggles” in referrence to suburban England |
| Time Period | Contemporary |
| Series | Harry Potter series; Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3), and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4) |
| Plot Summary | The orphaned Harry Potter is brought up by his mean Aunt Petunia (his mother’s sister), and Uncle Vernon. Their son Dudley is a spoiled, pig-like bully to Harry. Things are going terribly for Harry until his eleventh birthday when mysterious letters begin to arrive addressed to him. His aunt and uncle seize the letters until a giant named Hagrid delivers one in person, and to Harry’s shock, learns that he is a wizard and has been accepted at Hogworts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry becomes the star player of Quidditch, a sort of mid-air ball game. It turns out that an evil wizard so fierce that everyone is afraid to so much as utter his name (Voldemort) killed his parents. By some means, Harry survived Voldemort's attempt to kill him, too, though it has left him with a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, Voldemort vanished following this failure. But is he gone for good? And what is hidden on the third floor of Hogworts Castle? |
| Appeal | Sword and Sorcery, Wizards and Magic, Humorous juvenile literature, Action oriented Filled with imaginative details, from oddly flavored jelly beans to dragons' eggs hatched on the hearth. A strong cultural tolerance message. |
| Notes | May not be suitable for a younger audience because of the references to witches, sorcery and magic. |
| Reviewer/Date | Mónica López 8/3/00 |
| Rowling, J.K. | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone |
|
Publication Date |
1997 |
| Number of Pages | 309 |
| Geographical Setting | England and a magical land |
| Time Period | 1990s |
| Series | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1999), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000), and more books to come as part of this series. |
| Similar Author/Title | James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl |
| Plot Summary | 11-year-old orphan Harry Potter is rescued from his abusive Muggle relatives when he suddenly receives a letter from a mysterious giant named Hagrid. Harry soon discovers he is a legendary wizard and enrolls in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where ghosts roam the halls and unicorns and centaurs inhabit the forests. There he learns magic, joins the Quidditch team, discovers the mystery of the sorcerer’s stone, and confronts Voldemort, the evil sorcerer who threatened his life and killed his parents. |
| Appeal | Good versus evil theme. Gripping, suspenseful, action-packed story, which keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Highly imaginative and unique plot with stereotypical but humorous, depictions of British boarding school students and faculty. |
| Notes | Emphasis on witchcraft and wizardry. Won the National Book Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. |
| Reviewer/Date | Juliana Punt 8/3/00 |
| Rowling, J.K. | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone |
|
Publication Date |
1997 |
| Number of Pages | 309 |
| Geographical Setting | Europe (the ordinary human Muggle world) and Hogwarts school of sitchcraft and Wizardry (invisible to the Muggles) |
| Time Period | Present |
| Series | Harry Potter series |
| Similar Author/Title | The Harry Potter series |
| Plot Summary | The story of Harry Potter who was given to his unloving aunt and uncle after the death of his parents by an evil wizard, Voldemort. On Harry's 12th birthday, a messenger, Hagrid comes to tell him that he is to enroll at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry learns of his true identity of surviving Voldemort. Harry starts school and soon discovers that the school has mysteries of its own and would kill to protect them. |
| Appeal | Strong child characters. Witchcraft. Excellent descriptions of surroundings and wizard school. Well rounded characters. |
| Notes | Violence. Drinking of blood. Parental neglect. Frightening descriptions of characters. Witchcraft. |
| Reviewer/Date | Amy Collen, August 3, 2000 |
| Rowling, J.K. | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets |
|
Publication Date |
1998 |
| Number of Pages | 341 |
| Geographical Setting | England (two parallel worlds – one magical and one non-magical) |
| Time Period | Contemporary |
| Series | Second in a series of "Harry Potter" books. Four have been published so far, although a total of seven are planned. |
| Plot Summary | 12-year-old Harry can’t wait to return to Hogwart’s for his second year, as summer back on Privot Lane with the Dursley’s has been close to unbearable. Locked in his room, Harry feels doomed until the Weasley brothers arrive and help him escape to their home. There Harry gets his first taste of living in a magical environment (other than at school), and is amazed with everything from “flu powder” to the art of “de-gnoming” a garden. Back at Hogwart’s, Harry quickly eases into his second year with best friends, Ron and Hermoine. Several ghosts of Hogwart's add to the intrigue, while Professor Snape continues to “have it in” for young Harry. Gilderoy Lockheart, author of several books on a variety of magical subjects joins the Hogwart’s staff and his inflated sense of self adds additional comic relief to the story. Quidditch remains the popular sport of the highly competitive young wizards, and this year Harry finds himself playing directly opposite his arch-enemy, Draco Malfroy. More secrets of the past are revealed, as Harry learns more about his parent’s death and the Chamber of Secret. Plus, some people no longer seem to be what they were originally thought to be. |
| Appeal | Strong characters, and unique situations that mix normal everyday objects and settings with a dash of magic in a very believable way. Extremely well written, the story has a tight plot with everything (from all four books) neatly and compactly woven together. |
| Notes | Plot revolves around witches and witchcraft. Parts of the story are somewhat reminiscent of other Classics and Fairy Tales (Oliver Twist, Cinderella, The Hobbit, and Alice, to mention a few.) Harry Potter contains many of the “universal needs” of children of all ages...both “dark” and “light”…and it is well on its way to becoming a Classic in its own right. |
| Reviewer/Date | Jacquie Foster 8/3/00 |
| Rowling, J.K. | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire |
|
Publication Date |
2000 |
| Number of Pages | 734 |
| Geographical Setting | Great Britain and Hogwarts |
| Time Period | Late 20th Century |
| Series | Harry Potter Series, they will total 7, this is #4 |
| Similar Author/Title | C.S Lewis / Chronicles of Narnia |
| Plot Summary | Young, famous Harry Potter is about to begin his fourth year at the magical school of Hogwarts when a burning pain from the scar on his forehead suddenly awakens him. The pain was caused by a prophetic dream involving his enemy, dark Lord Voldemort, who was almost destroyed while trying to kill the infant Harry. Ignoring the warning that the pain might bring, Harry heads off to a World Cup Quidditch match (a popular wizarding sport, like soccer on broomsticks) with his wizard friends. In the commotion following the match, Harry and his friends stumble upon the "Dark Mark", an evil symbol which might mean the return of Voldemort. As they head back to school, Harry and his friends find new challenges awaiting them and learn that the dark forces are not as dead as they had hoped. |
| Appeal | Suspenseful, magical world, innocence in danger, and appeal as a sequel to the other Potter books which leave one wanting to know more. |
| Notes | Witchcraft and wizardry, some dark magic, appeals to all ages. |
| Reviewer/Date | Kristina Wetherbee 8/2/00 |
| Scarborough, Elizabeth Ann | The Godmother |
|
Publication Date |
1994 |
| Number of Pages | 294 |
| Geographical Setting | Seattle, Washington |
| Time Period | Alternate-reality Seattle in the near future (Late 1990's-early 2000's) |
| Series | First in a series of three "godmother" novels |
| Plot Summary | Rose Samson, an overworked, deeply-committed social worker, visits her friend Linden's antique clothing shop and buys a 1960's necklace (a mustard seed in a glass globe. She jokingly wishes for a godmother for all of Seattle. What she receives is both more and less than she expected. Silver-haired, elegant Felicity Fortune shows up at the shop, replacing Linden, and tries to convince Rose of her powers. Godmother Felicity has her own challenges in having to ration her use of magic, while Rose tries to help neglected children in danger of molestation, a teen whose stepmother tries to kill her, a woman whose spiteful step-family wants to destroy her life, a young street orphan, and a Vietnamese camp survivor who's becoming a career gang banger. Together Felicity and Rose try to alter stressful reality and make bad situations better with humor, magical vehicles, a talking cat, an ill-tempered toad, some well-placed warts, and old-fashioned elbow grease. Enter a Seattle police detective, one of Felicity's successful "alumni, who brightens Rose's life and future prospects. |
| Appeal | Interesting interweaving of reality and fairy tales; believable characters; realistic dialog; multiple story lines; good triumphing over evil. |
| Notes | Depictions of violence, attempted murder, and child sexual molestation; some profanity; Modern events and characters reminiscent of Snow White, Cinderella, Hansel & Gretel, and Puss In Boots. |
| Reviewer/Date | Patricia S. Harrison 8/3/2000 |
| Scarborough, Elizabeth Ann | The Godmother's Apprentice |
|
Publication Date |
1995 |
| Number of Pages | 294 |
| Geographical Setting | Ireland |
| Time Period | Contemporary |
| Series | The Godmother |
| Plot Summary | Snohomish Quantrill has had more than enough excitement to show for her mere fourteen years of age. A victim of three failed attempted-homicides at the hands of her evil step-mother, and neglected by her Rock star father, Sno is looking for a quiet life where she can be of help to others in need. At the encouragement of her social worker riend, Rosie, Sno decides to travel to Ireland with their mutual friend Felicity Fortune to become a Fairy Godmother-in-training. As charming and seemingly harmless as this may sound, Sno quickly entangles herself in a land laced with magic wishes and Celtic myth while living parallel to the too-real world of Irish Travellers and IRA underworld hit men. Joining forces with real characters whose backgrounds come from fairy tales, Sno traverses Ireland, past and present, to fight evil and play out her role as a true-to-life Fairy Godmother. |
| Appeal | Cat lovers are in for a treat. Clever writing intersperses this contemporary story with recognizable fairy tales, particularly ones involving cats. Lots of Celtic myth mixed with real-world references to both Irish and American (Seattle) contemporary class and culture. Story is told in alternating chapters and diary entries from a variety of cross-generational characters' points of view. A quick read. |
| Notes | Sequel to The Godmother. Author is a Nebula-Award winner. |
| Reviewer/Date | Carolyn Tutt 8/3/00 |
| Stewart, Mary | The Crystal Cave |
|
Publication Date |
1970; Morrow 1980 |
| Number of Pages | 315 |
| Geographical Setting | Roman-Celtic Britain |
| Time Period | 5th century Britain |
| Series | The Crystal Cave; The Hollow Hills; The Last Enchantment |
| Plot Summary | Arthurian legend told from the viewpoint of Merlin, Arthur's wizard and guardian. Merlin, a son of Niniane, the daughter of the King of Wales and an unknown father, spends a perilous childhood at the hands of his maternal uncle, Camlach. But from the wizard Galapas and his mystical experiences in the "crystal cave," he learns of the magical powers that set him apart from other men. After an act of defiance and revenge for the death of his friend and servant Cerdic, Merlin escapes his grandfather's Court. Fleeing to Brittany, he plays an important part in the struggle to unite Greater and Lesser Britain (Brittany). |
| Appeal | Arthurian legend from the viewpoint of Merlin. Vivid and detailed description of 5th century Britain and Brittany. Exciting sword and sorcery adventures. Noble characters and great deeds. |
| Notes | Depiction of the priest-like Druids and their scared rites and superstitions. Underlying conflict between Christianity and the pagan religions of the times. A standard title in the Arthurian canon. |
| Reviewer/Date | Susan Cook 8/3/2000 |
| Wrede, Patricia C. | Magician's Ward |
|
Publication Date |
1997 |
| Number of Pages | 288 |
| Geographical Setting | London, England |
| Time Period | The Regency era, during an alternate reality when magic was very real and magicians were abundant. |
| Series | Mairelon the Magician (Book 1) |
| Similar Author/Title | Tamora Pierce’s The Immortals series |
| Plot Summary | When Richard Merrill, alias Mairelon the Magician, adopted street-thief Kim as his ward, he promised to instruct her in the ways of magic and in the art of being a lady. Kim finds that being a lady is much more difficult than being a magician, and rebels against Merrill’s prim and proper Aunt Lowe’s attempts to find her a well-born husband. When their house is burgled, the trail leads Kim and Mairelon back to the streets of London in search of a magic gone awry. Mairelon is struck with disaster, leaving Kim to navigate the complexities of polite society and unravel the magical mystery with wit, luck, and skill. |
| Appeal | Witty dialogue and frequent use of “street” lingo. Romantic undertones and quirky, well-developed characters. Fast-paced plot set in a time that is familiar, yet novel. |
| Notes | Ideal for young adult readers |
| Reviewer/Date | Mary Pezzetti 7/30/00 |
| HOME | WESTERN | CRIME and MYSTERY | ROMANCE | CHRISTIAN | SCI-FI | FANTASY Author: A through M | N through Z | HORROR |