The Review Zone logo       by Tina Velgos

Wizard Chase

Exciting wizard adventure ranks right up there with Harry Potter!

You can buy

Wizard Chase

now, from
     by Rick Just
Cedar Creek Press
$13.95
0965353958
2000
296 pages, paperback
9-12 years Grade 4-6
If you're in Harry Potter withdrawal, cheer up! Wizard Chase is the first book in a fantastic trilogy of young adult (YA) fantasy books penned by author Rick Just. Truly a great read and a perfect recommendation for any summer reading program! Librarians, teachers, and parents need to know about this book and the Trilogy series.

This book was written "well before" the first Harry Potter book hit the shelves, and deserves some recognition. The author's hard work and attention to detail is evident to anyone who loves reading about fantasy, mystery, intrigue, and magic.This book will leave 9 to 12-year-old readers (and adults) wanting more!

To give you an idea of what kids think about this book, I got permission from my 4th grader, Tim, to reprint his book report on Wizard Chase.

Free Choice Book Report
by Tim Velgos

The title of the book is Wizard Chase. The author of the book is Rick Just. I chose this book because I like fantasy books and wizards.

This book takes place in the present. The main characters are Gerrald/Jarrett, Velvet/Valven, Skitter, Whirly, and Verthanda. I liked Jarrett best because he resembled me a little bit.

First, Gerrald accidentally goes to Kimyra, then he sets off to retrieve the eyes of Gelmorra. The problem is solved when Jarrett hides the eyes of Gelmorra. The main character learned not to trust everyone he sees.

I liked the different creatures in this book. I would definitely recommend this book because it is an exciting adventure. I learned that sometimes you can't trust everyone you see. I loved reading this book! Wizard Chase may not be as famous as the Harry Potter series, but it's just as good!

Well said, Tim!

What's this book really about? In a nutshell, "a skinny kid, with knobby knees" is our underdog/hero, Gerrald (also known as Jarrett). In this extreme adventure, kids are transported (along with Gerrald) into a magical world where he is soon transformed into a wizard. It's a good versus evil scenario when our young hero is asked to steal the eyes of a dragon from a real wizard before he can get back home!

Besides Gerrald/Jarrett, the book's main characters include a gryphon named Corvet; Petta, a sheep-like creature whose fur is actually edible fungus; a feline named Emralla/Valven; a ribek named Skitter (who resembles a rabbit); Whirly the wallacatoon and a troll.

Two wizard wands up for Wizard Chase. Highly recommended by TheReviewZone.com. A great bargain at less than $14--you'll be pleasantly surprised with this 296-page book which will leave you spellbound!

Please watch for The Review Zone.com's upcoming review on the second book in the Trilogy, Wizard Girl.