THE MAGICIAN'S BOY
by Susan Cooper
illustrated by Serena Riglietti
Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 068987622X
Ages 8-12
112 pages

There is a Boy who works for the Magician. He does all sorts of chores, such as polishing the Magician's wands and looking after the Magician's six white rabbits that the Magician mysteriously pulls out of his hat. While the Boy works, he wishes that the Magician would teach him magic, but the Magician says the time isn't right. Even though he's not happy, the Boy loves operating the puppets for the Magician's famous puppet play. The story of the play is "Saint George and the Dragon."

Then, during a performance at a Christmas party, the Boy can't find the puppet of Saint George. The Magician is furious and sends the Boy to search for the lost Saint George. The Boy ends up in the Land of Story where he meets some unusual and familiar characters from nursery rhymes and fairy tales. The task isn't easy, but with a little bravery and persistence, the Boy just may find Saint George --- if the Dragon doesn't find him first!

This is a magical story that is both original and familiar. The whimsical illustrations help bring the characters to life and are a great addition to the book. Like the fairy tale characters themselves, THE MAGICIAN'S BOY is a story that is sure to become a timeless classic that readers will enjoy over and over again.

   --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle (SdarksideG@aol.com)

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