The Wizard's Map: Tartan Magic, Book One

Rating:
Summary: The place where magic is real
Review: "Wizard's Map" is the first of the delightful Tartan Magic books, a series about magic and mystery in a small village in Scotland. Currently numbering three, I hope these books don't stop anytime soon.

The Dyers arrive in Scotland -- the parents, thirteen-year-old twins Peter and Jennifer, and their little sister Molly. They're staying with Gran and Da, an elderly couple who were once surrogate parents to their mother; Gran and Da seem a little weird but very nice. The same can be said of the house: A card game finishes itself without Peter, and Molly finds a magical piece of paper in the "actic" and scribbles on it.

Upon seeing the paper, Gran is aghast, claiming that it's the map of the seemingly long-dead wizard Michael Scot. The others are, unsurprisingly, skeptical since the map is written in modern English and shows modern landmarks. But the next day, nearby wheat fields have been hit with crop circles -- crop circles that look exactly like Molly's scribbles. And on a sightseeing trip, a mysterious black-haired man simply vanishes into thin air -- with Molly. Scot is back, and he wants the map.

Don't be fooled by the short length of this book. It's packed with excellent characterization, fast writing, and a charming, chilling plot. Yolen demonstrates her excellent skills at writing yet again, and she's in top form here.

The characters, except for the parents (who aren't really around enough to make much of an impression): Gran and Da are great, especially Gran. Molly is a thoroughly believable tot, with all the irritation and cuteness that that implies; Peter and Jennifer are great counterparts to one another, similar but not alike. (That would be boring, and it isn't boring)

Yolen's writing is nicely descriptive, and the aura of anything-could-happen is heavy on this book. Such events as the dragon, unicorn and dog are introduced in an especially evocative way, as is the showdown with Scot. From the moment the kids meet Gran and Da, you get the distinct impression that this wee corner of Scotland is magical.

For fans of Susan Cooper's "Boggart" books, and mythology-laden tales like "Wild Hunt," this would be a great read. On to "Pictish Child"!

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read for young and old alike
Review: As an older reader I was naturally hesitant to read a book aimed squarely at pre-teen readers. I wasn't sure whether it'd be a facile and tepid children's story or one with more complex overtones. Luckily, I got the second.

Author Jane Yolen does an excellent job of not patronizing her younger readers. She tells a first-rate tale while keeping readers of all ages entertained throughout.

This book reminded me of some of my favorite stories, like Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series, Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles, and yes, even the Harry Potter books. This would be a great book to read to your younger children at bedtime. The chapters are brief with most of them ending with a suspenseful cliffhanger. I highly recommend this one.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent read for young and old alike
Review: As an older reader I was naturally hesitant to read a book aimed squarely at pre-teen readers. I wasn't sure whether it'd be a facile and tepid children's story or one with more complex overtones. Luckily, I got the second.

Author Jane Yolen does an excellent job of not patronizing her younger readers. She tells a first-rate tale while keeping readers of all ages entertained throughout.

This book reminded me of some of my favorite stories, like Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising series, Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles, and yes, even the Harry Potter books. This would be a great book to read to your younger children at bedtime. The chapters are brief with most of them ending with a suspenseful cliffhanger. I highly recommend this one.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for kids!
Review: I found this book in my daughter's school library, and decided to give it a try. I'm sure its a great book for impatient young readers. As an adult used to complex and sometimes drawn-out books, this story felt a bit like the skeleton of a story ready to be fleshed out. But it was still a very good story. My husband and I both enjoyed it. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Rating:
Summary: Great book for kids!
Review: I found this book in my daughter's school library, and decided to give it a try. I'm sure its a great book for impatient young readers. As an adult used to complex and sometimes drawn-out books, this story felt a bit like the skeleton of a story ready to be fleshed out. But it was still a very good story. My husband and I both enjoyed it. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Rating:
Summary: The Wizard's Map
Review: I liked The Wizard's Map because it was mysterious at times. I wanted to finish this book to find out if Jennifer could get her family back.

Rating:
Summary: The Wizard's Map
Review: Jane Yolen has been called America's Hans Christian Andersen and while the comparison is apt, the breadth and depth of her talents are much larger than that darling Dane. Truly, with each new book, she further asserts her station as a true national literary treasure. In this, the first of a series called TARTAN MAGIC, her inventive imagination, precise and incisive understanding of humanity, and absolutely incredible ability to create endlessly fascinating characters and plots has never been more vital and positively organic. The story of three children visiting relatives in Scotland contemporaneously is enlivened by wee braw magicks afoot in hidden rooms in dust "actics." Fans of Yolen's other work, especially the Young Merlin trilogy will adore this as will her more mature admirers of her fairy story and folktale collections. This series, continuing on in THE PICTISH CHILD, will even brighten the spirits of those who have finished the fourth Potter and are moping for the fifth. Some aspiring graduate student in children's literature should consider well a comparative study of Rowlings and Yolen. Sounds like thesis and dissertation material to me.

Rating:
Summary: Yolen's magic maps out yet another grand adventure.
Review: Jane Yolen has been called America's Hans Christian Andersen and while the comparison is apt, the breadth and depth of her talents are much larger than that darling Dane. Truly, with each new book, she further asserts her station as a true national literary treasure. In this, the first of a series called TARTAN MAGIC, her inventive imagination, precise and incisive understanding of humanity, and absolutely incredible ability to create endlessly fascinating characters and plots has never been more vital and positively organic. The story of three children visiting relatives in Scotland contemporaneously is enlivened by wee braw magicks afoot in hidden rooms in dust "actics." Fans of Yolen's other work, especially the Young Merlin trilogy will adore this as will her more mature admirers of her fairy story and folktale collections. This series, continuing on in THE PICTISH CHILD, will even brighten the spirits of those who have finished the fourth Potter and are moping for the fifth. Some aspiring graduate student in children's literature should consider well a comparative study of Rowlings and Yolen. Sounds like thesis and dissertation material to me.

Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable!
Review: This is the first book in Jane Yolen's Tartan Magic trilogy about three American children visiting Scotland, who get a lesson in magic. In this book, the thirteen-year-old twins Jennifer and Peter, and four-year-old Molly discover a worthless old map. But, when Molly colors on the map, she inadvertently releases an evil wizard of great power, Michael Scot. And now, it's up to Jennifer, who possesses a magic she didn't know she had to set things right!

My thirteen-year-old daughter first introduced me to these books, and I must say that I enjoy them as much as she does. Jane Yolen does an excellent job of bringing Scotland to life for the American reader (please remember that there is a Scottish glossary at the back!). In general, the author does not spend too much time on character development (outside of the children and their grandmother, the characters are very two-dimensional), but for many young readers, this will not prove a problem.

So, let me just say that my daughter and I both enjoyed this book, and we highly recommend it to you!

Rating:
Summary: A new story in an old tradition!
Review: This wonderful story is one of three (so far) chronicling the adventures of three American children on vacation in Scotland, visiting their grandparents. However, before long, the children realize that magic is real in Scotland, and their grandmother is a potent witch. But, magic is not all fun and games, and before they know it the children find themselves facing the wrath of a powerful and ancient sorcerer, Michael Scott. And now it is up to 13-year-old Jennifer to find the magic in herself to defeat Michael Scott, and defend her family!

This is a great story, harkening back so clearly to ancient folk stories. I especially liked the traditional idea of women as possessors of ancient wisdom and power, beyond men and their science, powerful and yet healing in nature. This is a great book that I recommend to everyone with children, especially girls.