So You Want To Be A Wizard

Cover Art: 

Book Title: So You Want To Be A Wizard (Young Wizards series, Book 1)

Author(s): Diane Duane

Publishing Year: 1983

Review: 


This book is quite amazing. It's really amazing. 


It all starts when Nita Callahan, a 13-year-old girl who's sick of getting beaten up, is hiding from bullies. The place she is hiding is the library. Nostalgically, she runs her hands over the bookshelves, remembering all of the books she'd read, when her hand is caught by a book she's never seen before. It's title is "So You Want To Be A Wizard," and it's shelved with the other "So You Want To Be A" books (ie, "So You Want To Be A Pilot" or "An Astronaut," etc).


At first she thinks it's a joke, but learns very quickly that it's definitely true. She can hear things speak to her like she never had before, and she another wizard that she befriends go on an adventure through a dark and evil Manhattan, and lose and gain more than they'd thought was possible.


This is one of my favorite books of all time. I've read it about...well, sixteen times. No joke.


The other books in the series are absolutely amazing as well; there are eight books in the series, with a ninth book coming out in April. (The author, Diane Duane, is going to be in New York City at "Books of Wonder" bookstore, on April 24th to do book signings.)


Favorite Part(s):

1. The carnivorous fire hydrant that eats pigeons (look for it in the cover image).
   
2. The multiple parts that were extremely quotable, including the passage from The Book Of Night With Moon.
   
3. The fact that the magic described is so scientific that it's actually almost possible in the real world.
   
4. The ideas and the feeling of the whole thing; it leaves you with a sad, joyous, emotional feeling of wonder.
   
5. The part where Fred mentions how much life there is in the city. He says this when looking at the World Trade Center, and remarks about how horrible it would be if something happened to "all that life." I think that was a moment of pure precognition on the author's part.

Additional Notes:


 I think you can tell by now that my favorite genre to read is Science Fiction. :P 


 But of all the books I'd ever recommend to someone, this is the best. The ultimate best. In my opinion, anyways.