The Wizard in the Tree

by Lloyd Alexander

Book Overview

Mallory notices there's something funny about an old oak tree, takes a closer look, and before she knows it, she's broken a magical spell. Arbican the wizard has been trapped in the oak for thousands of years, and his powers are gone. Will he get them back in time to save Mallory's village from greedy Squire Scrupner?Deft storytelling.'AFull of? quotable bits of wisdom about the real nature of magic.' ? Booklist , starred review

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0525431284
• ISBN13: 9780525431282
• Release Date: April 1974
• Publisher: Dutton Books
• Length: 137 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Fast-paced page turner!

Mallory is not happy, and is living a miserable existence. She is an orphaned teenager being raised in rough manner by her new guardian, who mostly uses her as a slave which includes regular beatings. To make matters worse her idyllic village is being taken over by a greedy local squire who is scheming to take away the local farms and businesses. In their place will be the shops, farms, and Inns that he will own, and the verdant farmland will be dug up for coal. Mallory always loved the old stories of magic and wizards. Unbelievably, she manages to rescue a real wizard named Arbican trapped in a tree. The wizard she finds is shockingly different than in the stories. He won't grant 3 wishes for one thing even though she rescued him. And to top it off, rather than showing his gratitude and helping her in her miserable state, he is permanently grouchy and wants to leave immediately. Confusingly for Mallory, she has to feed him and protect him, rather than the other way around. The plot has many surprises and keeps you guessing. It delivers plenty of suspense and big surprises. I believe that in the long run the story is about the magic that we all have within, through perseverance, ingenuity, bravery, and other positive traits that get us through hard times. Arbican's magic takes a back seat to all of these, but usually in a hilarious way. When he is able to use his magic, it is usually done wrong... such as the time he wants to fly and turns himself into a goose instead. "Catch hold! The spell's gone wrong! Pull me down! I'm floating away!" It is a short book, but fast-paced at 134 pages. Great coverart. There is a lot if fun in this story, it is a quick read, with an upbeat ending. I recommend.

Not his best, but a good read!

Well, compared to a several books by Lloyd Alexander, this book isnt nearly as interesting or fun as others. However, it's still a very good book and, as all Lloyd Alexanders, a great read with very cool characters.

The Wizard in the Tree a book review by Deanna

In the story The Wizard in the Tree By Lloyd Alexander Mallory and a wizard named Arbacan experienced some terrifying adventures. If you like scary adventures, this is the book for you. When Mallory finds Arbacan in the tree, Arbacan explains that he got put in the tree because Wizard are not supposed to fiddle with nature in the human world before they leave to Vale Innis. If they fiddled with the environment before they left they would be a part of whatever they fiddled with. When Mallory finds somewhere for Arbacan to stay, she goes and get food. When she brings the food back, Scrupnor the squire follows her. He chases Arbacan and Mallory for hours. Finally they get caught. Will Mallory be forced to be Scrupnor's slave? Will Arbacan get beaten until he grants wishes for Scrupnor? Will Arbacan escape or not? Will Mallory escape? My favorite part is when Mallory and Arbacan have to sneak past all of Scrupnors guards. Will they sneak out without getting caught? They experience fabulous adventures until Arbacan has to leave to Vale Innis. Arbacan gives Mallory a magical gift before he leaves. What power does this gift has? Will Mallory be able to see Arbacan when she needs a friend? I encourage you to read The Wizard in the Tree.

A great book!

I think this is a very interesting story. It has an excellent plot and is very easily understood.

One of the best!

Finally a book that tells how magic really works! Mr. Alexander is well-spoken in magic and in this book he reveals that having magic powers isn't all it is cracked up to be. The author makes a few wise insights in this book. With a good lesson and an even better ending this book tells it how it is about the world of magic.