Billy Wizard
By (Author) Chris Priestley
Penguin Random House Children's UK
Young Corgi
1st December 2005
United Kingdom
Children
Fiction
823.92
Paperback
96
Width 129mm, Height 198mm, Spine 7mm
74g
The first day at a new school is often tricky, and if the only person who befriends you claims to be a wizard you simply have to make the best of it! Joe is pretty certain that Billy has, as the teacher says, just got an over-active imagination but when he witnesses some pretty odd events at playtime, he's not quite so sure...This is a really engaging book for newly confident readers, which perfectly captures the way young children speak and behave, in the classroom, the playground and at home. It's a refreshing new take both on bullying and on magic.
A sensitive story about finding your feet and coping with aggression, and particularly notable for the depiction of father-son bonding * TES Teacher *
Author and illustrator Priestly explores sensitively, and with well judged humour, the developing friendship of Joe and Billy . . . This is a tale of evolving friendship told with warmth * Books for Keeps *
Sure to strike a chord . . . [Chris Priestley's] wry observation that it's not just children who can be bashful hits home too * Junior Education *
Entertaining and amusing * Carousel *
An interesting, pacey story * Primary Times *
Chris Priestley is the author of three successful historical mystery adventures, set in the eighteenth century and following the adventures of a young boy called Tom Marlowe. The first in the series, DEATH AND THE ARROW, was shortlisted for an 'Edgar' mystery-writers award in the USA. Chris's first-ever book, DOG MAGIC!, was published by Young Corgi and shortlisted for the Children's Book Award. He has also written historical non-fiction for young readers. Chris is also an accomplished illustrator and cartoonist, whose work often appears in high-profile publications including THE NEW STATESMAN. He is married, with a young son.