The Evil Wizard Smallbone by Delia Sherman

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Evil Wizard Smallbone by Delia Sherman April Spisak Sherman, Delia The Evil Wizard Smallbone. Candlewick, 2016 [416p] ISBN 978-0-7636-8805-9 $17.99 Reviewed from galleys R* Gr. 4-6 Nick is certain that anything is better than the awful uncle and cousin he’s staying with after his mother’s recent death, so off he goes into the Maine winter, landing at the home of Zachariah Smallbone, an evil wizard/guardian who protects a small town. Smallbone makes it clear Nick is now trapped as his apprentice (although at first all he’s learning about is milking goats and cooking), and Nick feels he should try to escape but something keeps him there. It could be the sarcastic magical books, or the lovely pets (some of whom, Nick learns, are former assistants who irked Smallbone), or the hints that there may be more to the wizard under his moody exterior. Whatever it is, Nick is eventually glad he stayed, because he learns that he has magical abilities and he can use them to help the wizard protect Smallbone Cove from motorcycle-riding werewolves. Sherman captures perfectly the slow transition of a kid steeped in grief and misery to a boy who is slowly starting to trust, love, and hope again, and it’s endearing to see Smallbone evolve as well. Fans of McCoola’s recent graphic novel Baba Yaga’s Assistant (BCCB 10/15), which cleverly looked at one girl’s quest to join up with a threatening individual, will appreciate this similar and equally splendid tale featuring Nick and his wizard. [End Page 95] Copyright © 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois