So you want to be a wizard by Diane Duane

For those of you who loved A Wrinkle in Time and can't find anything like it, this is for you. Two outcast find copies of the a book called So you Want to Be a Wizard and learn they can be. Thinking magic would be a way to get back at those who bully them, they quickly learn that if you try, bad things could happen. With a little guidance from older wizards, they set out to correct their mistake. They have to or our world will be changed forever. You will never look at a car the same way again. I made the mistake of starting this about 8:00 p.m. and didn't get to bed until I finished it. Don't let the number of pages get to you, every page is need to tell this adventure story. First book of a series that seem to get added to every few years.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede

First book of a series, a princess wants more than just marry a handsome prince and living a boring life in a castle. When her parents tire of her trying to learn sword play, cooking, and magic, they try to marry her off to a prince. When she runs into a garden and yells, "I would rather be eaten by a dragon", a talking frog tells her that could be arranged. Listening to frog, she runs away to the dragons. If you know your fairy tales and legends, you will get the "inside jokes" , but don't worry many other joke are included for those who don't. Everyone I have given this to loved it and read the other 3 books. My step daughter read all 4 while riding up north in Michigan and back so she wouldn't have to talk to me.

When the Tripods Came by John Christopher

Presequel to my favorite book in sixth grade, The White Mountains, this will scare any of you that can't get enough of Sponge Bob or other mind numbing cartoons. Aliens are trying to invade the earth. Of course the world's military blew them up, so they have to try another way. This was written to show the doubters who read The White Mountains (which is set many years after the tripods take over the earth) that what we thought was science fiction could really happen. Lots of action and main characters running across Europe to get to safety, but not everyone makes it. Can be read before or after The White Mountains. The 2 sequels of The White Mountains must be read after it in order.

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper

While the beginning is confusing, the story will pull you in and will not let you go. Written years before Harry Potter, this is a story of an 11 year old boy learning he is not "human" and must find 6 signs to keep the dark from rising and freezing the earth. Time and space is crossed in the search for the signs. Half of the Potter fans come back to me to say I am right. This is better than Harry Potter. It is the second book in the series, but you don't have to read the first. If you loved this, you have 4 others in the series. It was to be made into a movie, but I haven't seen anything about the release. Newbery Honor book.