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The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids #20
Wizards Don't Need Computers
The 18th book from the hugely popular early chapter book series to re-emerge with a new look! Brand-new eye-catching cover art brings a modern feel to this classic monster series for young readers.The Bailey School Kids need to do a report on England. Howie picks Camelot as his topic, which is how he knows the new assistant at the library, Mr. Merle, looks just like the ancient wizard Merlin! The kids discover a crystal ball in Mr. Merle's office and learn that he has a huge goldfish named Arthur, just like the ancient king. Then Mr. Merle transforms the library into a medieval castle and starts mesmerizing kids with the magic of reading! Something strange is definitely going on. Could Mr. Merle really be a wizard?
63 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1996
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418 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 19, 2022
the kids kind of were not involved in this story at all, there was vaguely a sort of but not really problem that resolved itself sort of. Not the best.
February 20, 2024
Not my favorite of the series
January 23, 2026
Wizards Don’t Need Computers is a fun, fast-paced entry in the beloved Bailey School Kids series, blending humor, mystery, and just a dash of medieval magic. As always, Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones know exactly how to tap into kids’ imaginations, especially when adults start acting just a little too strange.
This time, Eddie, Liza, Howie, and Melody head to the library to work on a school assignment, only to discover some very suspicious changes. There’s a new librarian assistant, Mr. Merle, who seems almost too helpful. The library catalog is switching from old-fashioned card files to computers, and most puzzling of all a massive fish tank appears fully set up overnight. Naturally, the Bailey School Kids start asking the most important question: Is this guy a wizard?
The mystery really takes off when Melody notices that Mr. Merle looks an awful lot like Merlin. Howie is skeptical (why would Merlin leave Camelot for Bailey City?), while Eddie, Liza, and Melody are less convinced by logical explanations. When the kids snoop through Mr. Merle’s office and find what looks like a wand and a crystal ball, the story leans fully into its magical mischief.
Things escalate delightfully when a woman named Mrs. Queen shows up, claiming she’s an old friend of Mr. Merle’s and Eddie swears he hears Mr. Merle calls her Guinevere. Soon after, the library itself seems to transform into something straight out of the Middle Ages. Knights, castles, and King Arthur imagery blur the line between imagination and reality, especially when Eddie, who never reads, is suddenly absorbed in thick books.
As always, the authors leave plenty of room for doubt. Are the kids witnessing real magic, or are they letting their imaginations run wild? The story wraps up neatly when Mr. Merle leaves for another library job with Mrs. Queen, restoring the library to normal and leaving readers to decide for themselves what really happened.
John Steven Gurney’s illustrations add to the charm, perfectly capturing the kids’ exaggerated reactions and the whimsical tone of the story. Wizards Don’t Need Computers is light, funny, and engaging, making it a great pick for young readers who enjoy mysteries that don’t take themselves too seriously.
Overall, this book is a clever reminder that libraries are magical places, whether or not there’s an actual wizard behind the desk. Fans of the Bailey School Kids will feel right at home, and new readers will find it an easy, entertaining introduction to the series.
This time, Eddie, Liza, Howie, and Melody head to the library to work on a school assignment, only to discover some very suspicious changes. There’s a new librarian assistant, Mr. Merle, who seems almost too helpful. The library catalog is switching from old-fashioned card files to computers, and most puzzling of all a massive fish tank appears fully set up overnight. Naturally, the Bailey School Kids start asking the most important question: Is this guy a wizard?
The mystery really takes off when Melody notices that Mr. Merle looks an awful lot like Merlin. Howie is skeptical (why would Merlin leave Camelot for Bailey City?), while Eddie, Liza, and Melody are less convinced by logical explanations. When the kids snoop through Mr. Merle’s office and find what looks like a wand and a crystal ball, the story leans fully into its magical mischief.
Things escalate delightfully when a woman named Mrs. Queen shows up, claiming she’s an old friend of Mr. Merle’s and Eddie swears he hears Mr. Merle calls her Guinevere. Soon after, the library itself seems to transform into something straight out of the Middle Ages. Knights, castles, and King Arthur imagery blur the line between imagination and reality, especially when Eddie, who never reads, is suddenly absorbed in thick books.
As always, the authors leave plenty of room for doubt. Are the kids witnessing real magic, or are they letting their imaginations run wild? The story wraps up neatly when Mr. Merle leaves for another library job with Mrs. Queen, restoring the library to normal and leaving readers to decide for themselves what really happened.
John Steven Gurney’s illustrations add to the charm, perfectly capturing the kids’ exaggerated reactions and the whimsical tone of the story. Wizards Don’t Need Computers is light, funny, and engaging, making it a great pick for young readers who enjoy mysteries that don’t take themselves too seriously.
Overall, this book is a clever reminder that libraries are magical places, whether or not there’s an actual wizard behind the desk. Fans of the Bailey School Kids will feel right at home, and new readers will find it an easy, entertaining introduction to the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2018
I have always had a thing for wizards and magic. When I was a kid I used to watch the Pagemaster, it was my all time favourite movie. This book reminds me a lot of the page master...except there's no Richard Tyler, and the Pagemaster went to Bailey City instead.
The only thing I didn't like was how they wanted to stop Mr. Merle. Everyone was reading, and it was a good thing, but it didn't mean he was trying to take over the city. He was just getting kids to read, and if there's a reward involved then of course kids would want it.
But I do believe in magic. I do believe that reading is magical. This is one character that I wish would have stayed in Bailey City.
The only thing I didn't like was how they wanted to stop Mr. Merle. Everyone was reading, and it was a good thing, but it didn't mean he was trying to take over the city. He was just getting kids to read, and if there's a reward involved then of course kids would want it.
But I do believe in magic. I do believe that reading is magical. This is one character that I wish would have stayed in Bailey City.
July 1, 2025
I love this series. This book is mostly good. I love this take on Merlin as a librarian who starts a kids reading program. It's a great take on the legend. The only thing I dislike is the resolution of the book. It's sudden and doesn't really make sense (even by kids' fantasy standards). It felt like Dadey wasn't sure where to take this. It wasn't quite bad enough to ruin the rest of the book though, so still worth it.
May 3, 2018
While doing research for their reports on England and Camelot, the Bailey School Kids find that there could be magic in the library air, and the librarian could actually be Merlin! Dadey delivers another charming adventure with this wondrous entry!
June 18, 2019
Maybe the new librarian is the wizard Merlin? And maybe his goldfish is King Arthur?
This is cute in places, but I feel like the message is mixed. Mr. Merle's reading campaign is so successful that the kids stop playing outside, and the soccer camp is almost cancelled. LOL
This is cute in places, but I feel like the message is mixed. Mr. Merle's reading campaign is so successful that the kids stop playing outside, and the soccer camp is almost cancelled. LOL
June 6, 2025
I really love wizards and series so this is a good book for both enjoyed reading this a lot. If you’re looking for a type of a book to read about kids and wizards this is the book for you. I enjoyed learning about the kids journey. It was really fun.
June 27, 2021
These books are just a joy to re-read.
May 16, 2023
A timeless little story. Great for sons not very interested in reading! In fact, it was he who told me I 'had to read it'! 3rd grade
November 11, 2024
WE NEED ANSWERS!!!
December 31, 2024
It’s been such a joy to reread this series. One of my favorites growing up. And I always love the illustrations.
April 20, 2025
Oh wizards don’t need computers. This makes me think of real life right now haha. So fun!
March 10, 2020
Please help me to write a review on wizards don't need computer this story.... please.....😑
November 1, 2010
Yay for continuity! This is another book centered around the library, but now it's not about saving it, but the new librarian. There's a definite pattern with Howie thinking the adult is a fantastical/mystical creature while Eddie guffaws at him. I also like the importance on reading the book espouses, though, yes, too much of a good thing, even reading, is bad. (My parents have been trying for years to get me to read less fiction and more general knowledge/non-fiction/informative books/newspapers/magazines...) Points for the Camelot references.
September 16, 2014
The collection of "The adventures of the Bailey School Kids" stories are among my all-time favorite children's books. Witty, mischievous and fun, these short and silly books continue to bring giggles to the young and old. Just as I have enjoyed them as a kid, my own children also love them today. I even catch myself re-reading them (alone) from time to time. What can I say? I guess I'll always be a BSK kid at heart.
July 29, 2011
The Bailey School Kids is a best-selling children's book series by Marcia Thornton Jones and Debbie Dadey. Its main characters are a group of four children (Eddie, Howie, Liza, Melody) who suspect some persons in the stories are popular folk lore or fairy tale characters. They are appealing because they mix a familiar story in with this group of kids. Mid-grammar school
May 13, 2018
it wasn`t as good as the others because I didn`t feel that it had any real resolution. rather than the wizard going away, which usually happens, he was offered a higher up position, where he could continue his work. I wonder if this is because the authors have a soft spot for librarians and didnt want to villify them
April 1, 2016
When a new librarian comes to town and has a fish named Arthur and a friend, Mrs Queen, the Bailey School Kids become convinced that he is Merlin the magician. When the library's new summer reading program is the Kingdom of Reading they become even more certain.
August 22, 2009
great when ur little
August 31, 2011
it was funny and it had a lot of good wizard words.
March 7, 2015
Read these all in while I was in middle school and loved them, giving them a 3.5-4.0 for my past 12 year old self.
September 1, 2014
This was a weird one for me but I loved it!
January 14, 2015
they got a new library assistant. his name was mr. menie. they thought he was a wizard. he had a fish named arthur. he had a wand.
April 24, 2015
Mr. Merle is the new school librarian. He looks like a wizard, his goldfish’s name is Arthur, and he owns a wand and a crystal ball. Interesting and well-paced.
December 30, 2015
my favourite part was when everyone was reading because reading is fun! the worst part was when Merle left. I don't remember much, I should read it again. Auryn 12 years old, 2015
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2012
A forgotten series, gotta tell more kids about these.
February 10, 2017
I liked this book because I like wizards. I also liked this book because I like camalot.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews