The Evil Wizard Smallbone

Gr 3–7—Young Nick hasn't had a very nice life since his mom died and left him at the mercy of his cruel uncle and cousin. He runs away, but is caught in a blizzard and, desperate for shelter, lands at an extremely odd house containing a cranky evil wizard, dogs, cats, chickens, goats, and a pig, in addition to what seems like a supernaturally intelligent book shop. Nick's unable to escape, so he decides to learn as much as possible about magic, especially after realizing that the evil wizard isn't so powerful and that another, far more evil one threatens the village of Smallbone Cove. While the beginning has slow moments, the plot picks up nicely and the cast of characters, unexpected twists, intriguing use of magic, and shape-shifting make it an engrossing tale. Narrator Jesse Bernstein's pacing, inflection, and sense of suspense enhance the story.