Medionemeton Pagan Sanctuary

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

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Much as it's great fun to run around with the little kiddywinkles all day, sometimes it's nice to get a break. Try sitting them down with some of the books in this section, and you won't hear a peep from them for hours!

Mahy, Margaret Award-winning author Margaret Mahy has written several books for younger children and for teenagers.

  • The Changeover, (Teens-Mandarin, 1992). Laura is a typical Kiwi teenager, but now and then she seems to have a mysterious and unsettling foreknowledge of when something bad will happen. Of course, her mother doesn't truly believe her, so she just has to get on with life as normal, keeping an eye out for trouble. The problem is that when trouble shows up, it's in the most unexpected way, and Laura is thrown into a magical fight for her brother's life. Forced to seek the assistance of school prefect and secret witch, Sorensen Carlisle, not only does she have to battle the forces of evil, but also struggle to come to terms with her first romantic encounter. This book gives a wonderful rendering of Laura's initiation into a witch family, without making it look all glamorous and shiny. I would recommend buying this - I nearly wore out the library's copy as a teenager, I read it so often! But then I got my own copy.

    Rowling, J.K. I'm not sure if Ms Rowling is a Pagan or not, but if you haven't heard of her I assume you've been living in a cave in the middle of nowhere without a radio. In case you have been, her books are aimed at children, though they have a certain appeal for adults too. On occasion, these books have had to be held for release until after school hours to stop children bunking off school to go and buy it (or the adults bunking off work!). The protagonist of her books is a young magician, Harry Potter, a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the books follow him through the seven years that he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While they won't advance the cause of witchcraft or wizardry very far (and aren't intended to, despite what some radical clerics are saying)), but they may help children learn the value of thinking for themselves. The kids love it. The Religious Right hates it (both good recommendations!). The publishers have taken to issuing editions in "adult" covers so the rest of us can read them on the bus without embarrassment! If you have a child who won't read, this is an ideal way to tempt them. Each book covers one year in Harry's life, so the child can grow up alongside Harry and his friends. As the books grow longer with each new title, it also encourages children to read progressively longer books that might otherwise scare them away from reading.

  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, (Bloomsbury, 1997). The first in the series of seven, this is your introduction to the world of muggles and magical folk. Discover the secret of platform nine and three-quarters, the joy of potions classes with Professor Snape, and enthusiasm for the magical game of Quidditch. Plus a few adventures to fill in the gaps!

  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, (Bloomsbury, 1998). Harry returns to Hogwarts after an unhappy summer with the Dursleys - his so-called family. Once more, he finds himself the centre of attention, but not necessarily of the friendly sort. More adventures with Hermione, the Weasleys, and a whole host of other strange and fearsome creatures.

  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, (Bloomsbury, 1999). A notorious criminal escapes from the "inescapable" magical prison of Askaban, throwing Harry and his friends into the centre of yet more dangerous adventures. Ride the magical Knight Bus, drool with Harry over the BMW of broomsticks - the Firebolt, and find out how Hermione manages to go to three classes at once.

  • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, (Bloomsbury, 2000). Despite all his best intentions, and to the astonishment of all his friends, Harry's name is entered for the Triwizard Tournament - a competition between three of the world's magical schools. With the usual excitement, a world cup, and a sad loss for the school near the end. No, I won't tell you who it is!

  • Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, (Bloomsbury, 2003). Now in his fifth year at Hogwarts, Harry is growing up, and is learning more about himself and the world he lives in every day. A fascinating look at what makes Harry who he is, and an exploratory expedition into the world of girls, as well as lots of other adventures.

  • Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince, (Bloomsbury, 2005). After the events in the Ministry of Magic at the end of last term, everyone now believes Harry's story about "You Know Who" and his return to power. The whole wizarding world is in uproar, with strange murders all over the place (I feel so sorry for the poor muggle Prime Minister - he just wants a simple life after all!) and of course Harry and his friends are in the thick of things as usual. How will it all end? Well, if no-one's told you, you're in for a shock at the end of this book. But I won't spoil it for you.

    The last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is now out, and I intend to post up a review as soon as I get the chance to write one, although it's not easy to write a review of this spectacular book without letting slip some essential piece of the plot! All I will say for now is "Go on - buy it!"

    The first five books have been made into very spectacular films - well worth seeeing.

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    Site last modified: 10th November 2009
    This page last modified: 10th November 2009
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