Fantasy/YA- Boy learns magic from a wizard

[Phillip]

Read the book around 2006-2008. Possibly part of a series. The story revolved around a boy learning magic from a wizard. The boy found a collection of the wizard's memoirs. There was also a part where the boy was dreaming and felt his arm was paralyzed but woke up to find it was hanging off the bed and was numb. The cover of the book was dark, possibly a dark forest as well as possibly had a skull shrouded/hidden in the background.

[Tab]

Time period/location story takes place?
Do you remember any other characters, like friends, classmates, family, etc?

[Phillip]

Unfortunately I don't, I was in grade school so a lot of the plot i've forgotten except for certain events.

[Rainbowheart]

The Chronicles of Chrestomanci? First book is Charmed Life.

[SBC]

This sounds familiar. Was he doing the magic in secret because he felt the wizard wasn't teaching him quickly enough?

[Phillip]

SBC wrote: "This sounds familiar. Was he doing the magic in secret because he felt the wizard wasn't teaching him quickly enough?"
Yeah I think eventually he did! There is also an image of a crystal/glass staircase in my memory that i think is from the book.

[Phillip]

Rainbowheart wrote: "The Chronicles of Chrestomanci? First book is Charmed Life."

I dont think so. None of the cover art is coming to mind but ill look into it.

[Gillian]

Could it be the Bartimaeus books by Jonathan Stroud? The boy has an amulet with a "demon" in it, I believe. And knowing names grants power over the named person.

[Rainbowheart]

The Amulet of Samarkand for Gillian's suggestion.

[SBC]

I think the book I was thinking of was The Dragon of Trelian, which may have been published too late for the book you're seeking. Another possibly is the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage. I recall something about a staircase in that. The first book is Magyk.

[Phillip]

Unfortunately still doesn't look like the book I remember.

[Hayli]

Would it be The Children of the Red King by Jenny Nimmo? I’m pretty sure that series was published around that time. I know that the boy is a wizard but I honestly can’t remember much of the details from the books anymore. Hope this helps a little.