Wizards Don't Need Computers

The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids #20

by Marcia Thornton Jones, Marcia T. Jones, John Steven Gurney (Illustrator)

The 18th book from the hugely popular early chapter book series to re-emerge with a new look! Brand-new eye-catching cover art brings a modern feel to this classic monster series for young readers.

The Bailey School Kids need to do a report on England. Howie picks Camelot as his topic, which is how he knows the new assistant at the library, Mr. Merle, looks just like the ancient wizard Merlin! The kids discover a crystal ball in Mr. Merle's office and learn that he has a huge goldfish named Arthur, just like the ancient king. Then Mr. Merle transforms the library into a medieval castle and starts mesmerizing kids with the magic of reading! Something strange is definitely going on. Could Mr. Merle really be a wizard?

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Mystery, Chapter Books, Juvenile

80 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1996

About the author

Marcia Thornton Jones has published 131 books for children with sales totaling more than 43 million copies world-wide. Her works include CHAMP (mid-grade novel), RATFINK (mid-grade novel), GODZILLA ATE MY HOMEWORK (chapter book), THE TALE OF JACK FROST (picture book) and LEPRECHAUN ON THE LOOSE (picture book). She is the co-author of seven popular series including The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids, Keyholders, Ghostville Elementary, The Bailey School Kids Jr. Chapter Books, Triplet Trouble, Bailey City Monsters, and The Barkley School for Dogs.

Marcia has been listed as a top 100 author by the Educational Paperback Association and selected for the Children’s Top 100 Books list by the National Education Association, International Reading Associations Children’s Choice Award. Marcia's books have received many honors and have appeared on on the Publisher's Weekly Bestsellers lists,

Marcia, a full time writer living in Lexington, Kentucky enjoys presenting at schools and conferences. As a veteran teacher with more than 20 years of experience, she easily relates the importance of writing to students of all ages.

Reviews

[J.B. Mathias · Rating 2 out of 5]

the kids kind of were not involved in this story at all, there was vaguely a sort of but not really problem that resolved itself sort of. Not the best.

[Juliana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series

[paige turner ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always had a thing for wizards and magic. When I was a kid I used to watch the Pagemaster, it was my all time favourite movie. This book reminds me a lot of the page master...except there's no Richard Tyler, and the Pagemaster went to Bailey City instead.

The only thing I didn't like was how they wanted to stop Mr. Merle. Everyone was reading, and it was a good thing, but it didn't mean he was trying to take over the city. He was just getting kids to read, and if there's a reward involved then of course kids would want it.

But I do believe in magic. I do believe that reading is magical. This is one character that I wish would have stayed in Bailey City.

[Hannah Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. This book is mostly good. I love this take on Merlin as a librarian who starts a kids reading program. It's a great take on the legend. The only thing I dislike is the resolution of the book. It's sudden and doesn't really make sense (even by kids' fantasy standards). It felt like Dadey wasn't sure where to take this. It wasn't quite bad enough to ruin the rest of the book though, so still worth it.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 2 out of 5]

While doing research for their reports on England and Camelot, the Bailey School Kids find that there could be magic in the library air, and the librarian could actually be Merlin! Dadey delivers another charming adventure with this wondrous entry!

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe the new librarian is the wizard Merlin? And maybe his goldfish is King Arthur?

This is cute in places, but I feel like the message is mixed. Mr. Merle's reading campaign is so successful that the kids stop playing outside, and the soccer camp is almost cancelled. LOL

[Frankie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love wizards and series so this is a good book for both enjoyed reading this a lot. If you’re looking for a type of a book to read about kids and wizards this is the book for you. I enjoyed learning about the kids journey. It was really fun.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are just a joy to re-read.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

A timeless little story. Great for sons not very interested in reading! In fact, it was he who told me I 'had to read it'! 3rd grade

[Ruby the Wizard · Rating 2 out of 5]

WE NEED ANSWERS!!!

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been such a joy to reread this series. One of my favorites growing up. And I always love the illustrations.

[Josh Epp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh wizards don’t need computers. This makes me think of real life right now haha. So fun!

[Samra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please help me to write a review on wizards don't need computer this story.... please.....😑

[Izlinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay for continuity! This is another book centered around the library, but now it's not about saving it, but the new librarian. There's a definite pattern with Howie thinking the adult is a fantastical/mystical creature while Eddie guffaws at him. I also like the importance on reading the book espouses, though, yes, too much of a good thing, even reading, is bad. (My parents have been trying for years to get me to read less fiction and more general knowledge/non-fiction/informative books/newspapers/magazines...) Points for the Camelot references.

[BookeryBliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

The collection of "The adventures of the Bailey School Kids" stories are among my all-time favorite children's books. Witty, mischievous and fun, these short and silly books continue to bring giggles to the young and old. Just as I have enjoyed them as a kid, my own children also love them today. I even catch myself re-reading them (alone) from time to time. What can I say? I guess I'll always be a BSK kid at heart.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bailey School Kids is a best-selling children's book series by Marcia Thornton Jones and Debbie Dadey. Its main characters are a group of four children (Eddie, Howie, Liza, Melody) who suspect some persons in the stories are popular folk lore or fairy tale characters. They are appealing because they mix a familiar story in with this group of kids. Mid-grammar school

[Ashley-Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

it wasn`t as good as the others because I didn`t feel that it had any real resolution. rather than the wizard going away, which usually happens, he was offered a higher up position, where he could continue his work. I wonder if this is because the authors have a soft spot for librarians and didnt want to villify them

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a new librarian comes to town and has a fish named Arthur and a friend, Mrs Queen, the Bailey School Kids become convinced that he is Merlin the magician. When the library's new summer reading program is the Kingdom of Reading they become even more certain.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

great when ur little

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was funny and it had a lot of good wizard words.

[Logan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read these all in while I was in middle school and loved them, giving them a 3.5-4.0 for my past 12 year old self.

[Micaela Semien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a weird one for me but I loved it!

[Seth · Rating 2 out of 5]

they got a new library assistant. his name was mr. menie. they thought he was a wizard. he had a fish named arthur. he had a wand.

[Jerome Otte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Merle is the new school librarian. He looks like a wizard, his goldfish’s name is Arthur, and he owns a wand and a crystal ball. Interesting and well-paced.

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favourite part was when everyone was reading because reading is fun! the worst part was when Merle left. I don't remember much, I should read it again. Auryn 12 years old, 2015

[Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A forgotten series, gotta tell more kids about these.

[Maximilian Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book because I like wizards. I also liked this book because I like camalot.