The Wizard of Washington Square

By Jane Yolen

Book Overview

While playing in Washington Square Park, David and Leilah discover a real wizard living behind the little black door in the Washington Square Arch, but when the wizard turns David's dog into a statue which is then stolen by Mr. Pickwell the antiques dealer, David and Leilah must work fast to get th

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765350165
• ISBN13: 9780765350169
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Starscape Books
• Length: 78 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.1" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 8 to 13 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 8

Customer Reviews

Great Childhood Read

I remember finding this book in the small library at my elementary school when I was in third grade. I was so excited by the yellowed pages and torn cover. As soon as I started reading it I was enthrawled and I didn't put it down once that WHOLE night. You can't imagine how thrilled I was when I was able to return it to the library the next day! It is cute and humorous and just a fun read for a little kid. It is the Pre-Harry Potter wizard novel, and a much easier, less frightening read for the youger set. I can't wait to read it again with a new set of eyes!

fantastic urban fantasy for the elementary school crowd

Preadolescent David accompanied by his canine D. Dog walks around Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village feeling lonely. His family has just relocated from Connecticut to New York and he has no friends. When his canine's ball lands in the fountain in the middle of the park he meets Leilah who goes into the water to retrieve the toy. Leilah informs him that the fountain is home to a wizard. David scoffs at the inane girl, but soon they encounter THE WIZARD OF WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK, who explains he is a second rate failure, which is why he has been exiled to the land of non-believers. He proves his incompetence when he accidentally turns D. Dog into a statue. Before the Wizard can figure out how to rectify his blunder, antiques dealer Mr. Pickwell steals the statue to sell it. David and Leilah team up to retrieve D. Dog while the Wizard works on a reversal spell. THE WIZARD OF WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK is a fantastic urban fantasy that the elementary school crowd and their parents will enjoy. The story line enchants the audience as David and Leilah become friends while trying to rescue his dog from a terrible fate. The Wizard will remind readers of Oz as he bungles spells. Jane Yolen entertains her young readers with a fine friendship fantasy. Harriet Klausner