By Colorado Kids Advisory Board member Sarah Condie

Title: The Wizards Dilemma
Author: Diane Duane
Publisher: Magic Carpet Books Hardcourt, Inc.
Number of Pages: 403

Finding a good book always brings a smile to my face. It teaches you something and gives you a comforting feeling every time you crack it open. This is one of those books. Even though I have only read it once, a good book is read over and over finding new mysteries every time. The book is entitled The Wizard's Dilemma by Diane Duane. The Wizard's Dilemma is the fifth exhilarating book in the series about the troubles and life altering decisions of a wizard. Nita Callahan is that wizard. Her partnership with Kit, her wizarding friend, has been shattered. What else could go wrong? Then, without warning, her mother gets diagnosed with a brain tumor. With time against her, Nita is in the race of her life to fix what can't be fixed. By using "The Speech"(the universal wizardry language), Nita casts several spells in an attempt to save her mother's life. The only way to find out if Nita fixes, "what can't be fixed" is to read the book.

I liked the book primarily because; I love books about wizardry. The one thing I didn't care for was that the book started out a bit slow. I tend to like the plot to unfold rather quickly grabbing me in. However, don't let that stop you. The intricate plot and exciting climax was well worth the wait.

I would recommend this book to kids who love to read because it's quite long, 403 pages. My recommendation for this book would be for kids ages 9-14. I am recommending it for such a large age gap because of the engaging way the author wrote the story. A nine-year-old may need a little help. This book is very sad not a good bedtime story for younger children so read with the lights on. Other wise, indulge your wizarding fantasies and enjoy. The similarities to Harry Potter are apparent, mixed with a touch of Lemony Snicket. With out giving anything away, I will say that in The Wizard's Dilemma the way spells are cast is really quite unique! Not the usual abracadabra as you might think. The wizard writes out the spells in "The Speech's" elaborate 401 letters and symbols. The author was creative and definitely wrote this book with kids in mind. I think that the author's main goal was to write a book that would stretch kids imaginations and make them think outside the box. I hope you will read this book and take a peek inside Nita Callahan's wizarding world and see what happens for yourself. If you don't, you will be in eternal suspense. I hate that feeling, don't you? (January, 2003)