SOLVED!: Kids/YA book - magic/fantasy from 70's? [s]

[Lucas]

Unfortunately i don't really remember much more than a boy who gets caught up with some bad characters who know magic. Probably some special items he has to get to battle them? It's set in the modern world, more or less. So, not Tolkien and no emphasis on monsters, more dark wizards and the like. Almost a precursor to Harry Potter.

[April Ann]

Let's start with these two:

No More Magic by Avi, published in 1975. "Summary: While searching for his bicycle that disappeared on Halloween, a young boy and his two friends become involved in a magic adventure."


Or: The Hero From Otherwhere by Jay Williams, published in 1972 "Summary: Sent to the principal's office for fighting, Rich Dennison and Jesse Rosen open the door and enter the strange world known as the kingdom of Givyleath."

There's also The Headless Cupid by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, published in 1971. "
Life is never quite the same again for eleven-year-old David after the arrival of his new stepsister, a student of witchcraft and the occult." Newberry HOnor Book.

[Wendy]

Maybe Susan Cooper's books, especially The Dark is Rising?

[Lucas]

Those are great suggestions and I can't be 100% sure it's not 'The Dark is Rising' but I don't think so...I will have to do a little more digging. I think it may be less epic/mythological though - more grounded in the here and now.

[Meghan]

Maybe something by John Bellairs?

[Lucas]

Yes! That's exactly right. Thanks very much - funny how a thing like that can live in the back of your mind for so many years. I feel better already!

[April Ann]

It's fun hunting for the books! :)

[Lisa]

So, is this solved? What by John Bellairs? I need to know whether or not it should be moved to the solved folder. Thanks!

[Lucas]

Solved - John Bellairs 'The House with a Clock in Its Walls'. Thanks!

[Lisa]

Ok, Will move it. Thanks Lucas.

[rivka]

I've read that book (although quite a number of years ago) and would never have figured it out. Glad you found it!

[Erica]

Oh, that was such a scary book!

[Lucas]

I'm debating whether or not to get it and re-read it. Seems like it might be fun, but then again, I don't have much time to read these days...and Moby Dick just sits there glaring at me.

[Erica]

Yeah, read it, READ IT!!! There's a good synopsized version of Moby Dick on Book-a-minute classics at rinkworks.com. It will save you a little time.