The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis [j Lewis] 

It’s debated whether this is the first in the Narnia series or not, but it does indeed explain the origin of the land of Narnia. It begins in London England and two neighbor children, Digory and Polly. Digroy lives with his aunt, uncle and mother (who is very ill). The top floor of the house is forbidden at its uncle Andrew’s office. The two children mistakenly sneak in the office via the rafters – trying to get to the empty house next to theirs. Uncle Andrew convinces them to try on some magic rings that send them out of this world to others. Their adventures I don’t want to spoil for you too much, but someone comes back to London with them, the they all (the children, uncle Andrew, the visitor and other Londoners) travel back to the other world and witness the creation of Narnia. They meet Aslan – creator of the world – and he sets Digory on a quest for a fruit from a tree over the hills and far away. The story concludes with the completion of this quest and explains that Digory was allowed to bring back a piece of fruit from Narnia to London. He plants the seed in his yard, and years later a storm damages the tree severely and Digory, grown up now, has a wardrobe made out of the wood. He keeps the wardrobe in his family home in the English countryside and thus follows more Narnia adventures. I thought it was a great lead into the other books and recommend it to readers of all ages. It could be fun to read with a child too as you may see the story in different lights.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The rest of the Narnia series:

Chronological Order:

• 1. The Magician’s Nephew
• 2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
• 3. The Horse and His Boy
• 4. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia
• 5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
• 6. The Silver Chair
• 7. The Last Battle

Publication Order:

• 1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
• 2. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
• 3. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
• 4. The Silver Chair (1953)
• 5. The Horse and His Boy (1954)
• 6. The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
• 7. The Last Battle (1956)

[ official C.S. Lewis web site ]

Recommended by Kristen A.
Gere Branch Library

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