Magic

Categories: Movies & Books , Science Fiction & Fantasy , Children's Books

Stories of magic and romantic adventures have grabbed me ever since I read about Dorothy in the Oz books. J.K. Rowling has done a lot to bring magic to the forefront with her Harry Potter books. I have some new recommendations:

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black is a modern-day series, and it's spot-on as far as how kids would deal with the magical realm. Happily, the movie adaptation is very good.

The Magic Thief (2008) by Sarah Prineas is a new book, heralding itself as first in a series, and so is Marie Rutkoski's brand new The Cabinet of Wonders: The Kronos Chronicles: Book I.

I would also highly recommend the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage. The first book, Magyk, sets the scene and draws us into a very believable magical world with a slightly late-renaissance flavor.

What a wonderful escape on a rainy weekend! Again I tell you: Children's books...not just for kids!

Diana Wynne Jones has recently written House of Many Ways (2008), the sequel to Howl's Moving Castle (1986). The great Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki brought Howl's Moving Castle to the screen in 2006.

Speaking of Miyazaki, his beautiful movie Spirited Away is his modern take on Japanese magic and mythology. It is also available as a teen graphic novel, and there is a terrific adult book by Andrew Osmond that discusses the story.

And finally, a couple of enjoyable oldies but goodies are Edgar Eager's Half Magic from 1985 and Mary Rodgers' Freaky Friday from 1972. Freaky Friday was made into a movie at least twice, originally with Jodie Foster in 1977 and more recently with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan.