The Magician's Apprentice

Magician's Apprentice #1

by Tom McGowen

A young pickpocket becomes apprenticed to a magician who opens a whole new world for the boy, not only of magic and healing, but of kindness and adventure. Together they seek knowledge lost since the Age of Magic thousands of years before.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade

119 pages, Hardcover

First published January 29, 1987

About the author

Tom McGowen worked in advertising in the Chicago, Illinois, area until 1969. He then became a senior editor at World Book, Inc. Mr. McGowen now writes and lives in a northwest suburb of Chicago.

Reviews

[Ethan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this book is a bit slow and the writing leaves something to be desired, but it’s a fairly fun fantasy romp with a bit of sci-fi and really good world building! I’m looking forward to reading the two sequels. Biggest downside was that I couldn’t stop imagining the Grubber’s voice as a weird jar jar binks thing? But I think that’s just my problem.

[Historic_Heroine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this when I was around 12 years old and it left a lasting impression. I tried to find the book again for years with no luck since I wasn't sure what the title was and only remembered some basic plot points. I was excited to finally find it and read it again! I really enjoyed rereading it, though I'm sure some of my enjoyment was colored by nostalgia. It starts out as standard fantasy, but quickly becomes apparent that this story takes place in our own world, not in the past but in a post apocalyptic future where our current technologies are viewed as magic and some familiar creatures have mutated. It's a fun and quick read. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Arielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably read this book in fourth grade for the first time -- and I loved the conceit (and the book) enough that I've searched for it off and on for years.
It takes place in a medieval future -- in other words, it's a post-dystopian story about life many, many years after nuclear war. The thing that stuck with me as a child, and that I appreciated now, is the wonder behind what they call magic and we call science. Things we take for granted, like magnifying glasses. The thought process behind cursing someone.
Really, it's probably a three-star book. But if I think about and remember it all these years later, it deserves the nostalgia star, too.

[Jenny]

I read this a long time ago and am eager to see if I still like it. :)

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book. Vocabulary, morality, futuristic, twists and turns at the end.