[LM_NET] REVIEW: YA: Witch and Wizard by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

[Pamela Thompson <pthomp@SISD.NET>]

Witch & Wizard
by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet.
Little Brown and Company, 2009.
314 pages.

Teen readers will be drawn to this novel for three reasons: the large "W" ablaze 
dominating the cover, the words "witch" and "wizard" in the title, and those 
readers who followed the Maximum Ride series will want to read Patterson's latest 
YA novel.

Siblings Wisty and Whit Allgood are awakened in the middle of the night by armed 
thugs who arrest them, transport them to a "trial," and drop them off at a sadistic 
prison. The old government has been overthown and replaced by a maniac who refers 
to himself as "The One Who Is The One." The Allgood teens are dangerous to the new 
order because of their powers. Wisty and Whit discover that they are a witch and a 
wizard, respectively. As they begin to harness their powers, they befriend a ghost 
or "curve" who helps them escape the prison through the Shadowlands, a dangerous 
otherworld where spirits, and sometimes, humans, roam. Later, they join a gang of 
likeminded kids who hope to overthrow the new regime and fulfill a prophecy that 
kids will rule and peace will come.

This is a quick read with chapters only 2-4 pages in length. Each chapter ends on a 
suspenseful note to keep those pages turning. Action and adventure readers will 
enjoy this novel. Patterson continues to use a formula he has had past success 
with: working with another author who is comfortable in the children's and YA lit 
market. Charbonnet, with over 75 titles to her credit, is best known for the 
Babysitter's Club Baby Sister's books.

The ending of this novel makes possible a slew of sequels. As prolific a writer as 
Patterson is, he will likely churn out a whole series.

Recommended for YA collections. Grades 6-high school.

Just posted to my blog at http://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/


Pamela Thompson, MLIS
Library Media Specialist
Col. John O. Ensor Middle School
13600 Ryderwood
El Paso, TX
915-937-6018
pthomp@sisd.net<mailto:pthomp@sisd.net>

visit my YA novel blog at http://booksbypamelathompson.blogspot.com/


"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog is too dark to 
read." --Groucho Marx

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