Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

J.K. Rowling

Bloomsbury, 1997

Paperback. 223pp.

£5.99

Harry Potter thinks he is an ordinary boy - until he is rescued by a beetle-eyed giant of a man, enrols at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, learns to play Quidditch and does battle in a deadly duel. The reason: Harry Potter is a wizard!

There is not a lot any bookseller can or need do to promote Harry Potter (he has paid the rent for six years). There are, so far, four books in the Harry Potter series. (TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE CLOSE THE NEW WINDOW OR PRESS THE BACK BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER)

Over Sea, Under Stone

Susan Cooper

Puffin, 1968 (1965)

Paperback. 221pp.

£5.99

Like many adventures, this one began with a holiday in Cornwall, the discovery of an ancient map and a search for an Arthurian treasure. But Simon, Jane and Barney soon realise that dark forces are at work to prevent them releasing King Arthur's power for good once more. As their adversaries make themselves known, so the danger the children face becomes increasingly frightening.

This is the first book in the classic The Dark Is Rising sequence of books. There are five books in the sequence. (TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE CLOSE THE NEW WINDOW OR PRESS THE BACK BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER)

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen

Alan Garner

Collins, 1999 (first published in 1960)

Paperback. 265pp.

£4.99

When Colin and Susan are pursued by eerie creatures across Alderley Edge, the wizard- Cadellin Silverbrow- takes them to safety deep in the caves of Fundindelve. Here he watches over the enchanted sleep of one hundred and forty knights, awaiting the fated hour when they must rise and fight.

But the Weirdstone of Brisingamen is lost and the forces of evil are closing in. The children realise that they are the key to its return, but how can they defeat the powerful magic of the Morrigan and her deadly brood?

The sequel to this book is The Moon of Gomrath. (TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE CLOSE THE NEW WINDOW OR PRESS THE BACK BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER)

Cart and Cwidder : Dalemark Quartet volume 1

Diana Wynne Jones

Oxford University Press, 2001 (first published in 1975)

Paperback. 186pp

£4.99

Moril and his brother and sister enjoy their lives as travelling musicians journeying through Dalemark on their father's cart. But when a mysterious passenger joins them, their carefree world quickly falls apart. Who is he? Is there any connection between him and the sudden violence that overtakes them? And why is Moril bequeathed an ancient lute-like cwidder?

As he tries to discover the mysterious powers of the instrument, somehow Moril's family and the stranger are becoming bound together in terror, flight, and music.

There are four titles in the Dalemark Quartet. Diana Wynne Jones also wrote The Worlds of Chrestomanci series, which are just as good. (TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE CLOSE THE NEW WINDOW OR PRESS THE BACK BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER)

The Sword In the Stone

T.H. White

Collins, 1998 (first published in 1938)

Paperback. 356pp. illustrated by Robert Shadbolt

£5.99

When Merlyn the magician comes to tutor Sir Ector's sons Kay and the Wart, schoolwork suddenly becomes much more fun. After all, who wouldn't enjoy being turned into a fish, or a badger, or a snake? But Merlyn has very particular plans for the Wart...

Other books by T.H. White include Mistress Masham's Repose. (TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE CLOSE THE NEW WINDOW OR PRESS THE BACK BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER)

A Wizard of Earthsea

Ursula Le Guin

Puffin, 1994 (first published in 1968)

Paperback. 238pp. illustrated by Patrice Jones.

£5.99

When the young wizard Sparrowhawk is tempted to try spells beyond his powers, he lets loose an evil shadow-beast in his land.

Only Sparrowhawk can destroy it and his quest is a classic tale of wizards, dragons, danger and courage.

The Wind Singer

William Nicholson

Mammoth Books, 2001

Paperback. 340pp

£5.99

In the walled city state of Aramanth, exams are everything. When Kestrel Hath dares to rebel, the Chief Examiner huniliates her father and sentences the whole family to the harshest punishment. Desperate to save them, Kestrel learns the secret of the wind singer, and she and her twin brother, Bowman, set out on a terrifying journey to the true source of evil that grips Aramanth,

Winner of the Smarties Book Prize 9-11 Category, 2000.

The Phantom Tollbooth

Norton Juster

Collins, 1999 (first published in 1961)

Paperback. 255pp. illustrated by Jules Feiffer

£5.99

Milo was surprised when an enormous package in his bedroom marked "One Genuine Turnpike Tollbooth".

Having nothing better to do, Milo points his little car towards the strange land that lies beyond the Phantom Tollbooth - the Kingdom of Wisdom. Before he knows what he is doing he volunteers to rescue the banished princesses, Rhyme and Reason, from their Castle in the Air. The stairway to the Castle is guarded by fierce demons, and the road leading to it is full of extraordinary and unexpected hazard. Is Milo quick enough to leave the Demons of Ignorance behind, and cunning enough to outwit - among others - the Terrible Trivium? Along the way Milo discovers that he must eat his own words at a banquet in Dictionopolis, but it is a tasteless meal!

This is a delightful and, above all else, clever (!) book. It is often taken to task because of its didactic tone and its sophisticated wordplay and humour; but the book is so imaginative and so full of character and entertainment that Juster must be forgiven.

The Magic In the Weaving : Circle of Magic volume 1

Tamora Pierce

Scholastic, 1998

Paperback. 214pp

£5.99

The Winding Circle Temple has four new residents… Sandry, Tris, Briar and Daja couldn't be more different. One is of noble birth and one is a street urchin, brought up to a life of thievery. One is a trader and one a merchant girl, two cultures traditionally at war with each other.

But they all have something in common… They each possess a strange and wonderful power. These four powers will unite them. And when disaster strikes, it is the weaving of the magic that will keep them all alive…

There are four books in the Circle of Magic series. Tamora Pierce also wrote The Songs Of the Lioness quartet. (TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE CLOSE THE NEW WINDOW OR PRESS THE BACK BUTTON ON YOUR BROWSER)

Artemis Fowl

Eoin Colfer

Puffin, 2002

Paperback. 288pp.

£4.99

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a brilliant criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's about to ake on when he kidnaps a fairy - Capt Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. Artemis thinks that he 's got the fairies just where he wants them; but these fairies are armed and dangerous.