Wizard at Work

by Vivian Vande Velde

Book Overview

The wizard has big summer plans: to garden, to fish, and to nap. The only thing better would be if he had someone nice to share the days with. But the only people who show up want him to rescue yet... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152045597
• ISBN13: 9780152045593
• Release Date: April 2003
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

charming and whimsical

This is really like a series of short stories about one summer in the life of the main character. I loved everything about it.

Excellent for Kids & Adults Alike

Oh...now I so enjoyed this one!! A light, humorous and well written book of related (by the main character) short stories. The main character, a young wizard instructor on his summer vacation (who incidentally disguises himself during the school year and occasionally at other times as an aged wizard, because as he says, no one believes that a young man can be a wizard). Throughout the story, we find this wizard just trying to get some gardening done and enjoy his vacation...but he is dragged away from home over and over again in what amounts to some very slyly told adventures! I think this author is one we will definitely be reading again! Both my kids enjoyed it and it was a nice twist on some of the better known fairy tales and even a little bit about the origins of the Lock Ness Monster...very cute! I laughed out loud in a couple of places...but mostly it was sly in way that kids can relate to if they've already heard all the standard tales. A few illustrations would have been nice, but the cover provides enough of a beginning visual and while this intended audience is kids and teens from about 8-14, the language is vivid and expressive enough to pull off a good telling even to younger kids, if you do the voices and tell it in an expressive way. Heck, as an adult I certainly enjoyed it...maybe more than I should have. I give this one an A+ and both the kids gave it two thumbs up! This is a keeper!

Very clever and lots of fun

A collection of stories about a young man who runs a school for young wizards throughout the school year and who loves to garden, fish and nap in the summer. This summer, however, is especially busy and he is called upon to help by those requiring the skills of a wizard, and during those times he disguises himself as an old man "as people expected a wizard to look". This book includes 5 stories about the wizard's work, and what makes them so unique is that they draw upon familiar fairy tales and legends describing parts of those stories we've never heard. For example, one story entitled "Beasts on the Rampage" explains how Jack really got those magic beans, and it is not at all how one might expect. It seems that Jack is quite irresponsible and has a bit of a gambling problem. He is trying to concoct some story to tell his mother about where the money has gone that he received after selling their cow Bessie. Meanwhile a pack of adolescent unicorns is terrorizing the village and the wizard is called upon to address the situation. The unicorn's behavior has gotten so bad that we find out they are making a barbeque of Bessie. During a magic spell to make the unicorns grow older by one year and thus be past this stage of behavior, some residual magic is left on some beans that Jack then steals from the wizard. The reader is left listening to Jack's tale of how he exchanged Bessie for some magic beans. "Wizard and Ghost" explains just how Loch Ness ends up with a monster, and "The Princess and the Quest for the Golden Cucumbers" tells the story of how the wizard himself fulfills the quest to win the heart of a princess without using any magic. This is a very entertaining book that younger kids are really going to enjoy.

An enchanting book

This is a short, sweet, sensational book that should appeal not only to fans of Harry Potter but also lovers of classical fairytales. Wonderfully written and fast paced, it is both witty and wickedly funny. Almost more like a series of short stories than a novel, each chapter sees the hero of the story, a young wizard, embarking on a new adventure--or misadventure. This is an easy read for the 8 to 12 year old market, and should tempt even the most reluctant of young readers, but in my view it will also definitely appeal to any older teens and adults looking for a good read as well.

a wizards work is never done!

This book is about a wizard who is a teacher to young wizards. He is looking forward to his summer vacation. He is dreaming of doing things like working in his garden, fish and take LOTS of naps. While on vacation he has many interruptions. First he has to resuce a princess, then lift a curse. Evey time he tries to relax someone needs his help! Will the wizard ever get any rest before school starts back? Read this fun book to find out! The book moved at a fast pace. It will hold the attention of young readers well. We recommed this to children who enjoy fantasty books. This is a good one to start with because it's only 134 and can be read fairly quickly.