The Pictish Child
by Jane Yolen


The entire Tartan Magic Trilogy seems to squeeze its happenings into one family vacation, a visit by the American twins Jennifer and Peter, their kid sister Molly, and their parents to relatives in Scotland. In this second installment, they have scarcely recovered from their first battle against an ancient, evil, Scottish wizard when a girl from far in the past suddenly turns up in their lives. Ninia belongs to the pre-Christian race of Picts, and has been snatched out of her time at a moment when her life and the future of her people were in jeopardy.

Now Ninia's story is mixed up with the present-day affairs of three children who are still coming to terms with the existence of magic. What would they do without a witchy grandma, a talking dog, and a talking horse who, like the girl, belongs to the time of the Picts? They certainly wouldn't stand much chance against a vaporous darkness that could seep under doors and windows, if the sills hadn't been salted. How long can the kids stay indoors with a horse, a dog, and a wild child whose life story is carved on enormous stones in the town museum? How can they change history while stopping an evil plot to steal the magical powers from Gran and her friends? And how will they have time for a third adventure and before their vacation ends?

This could be a cautionary tale against blowing your vacation in a rainy country full of narrow streets where they drive on the wrong side of the road. Or, it could be a delightful adventure in Scottish magic, tailor-made for young American readers. If you're a kid who yearns for a break from the modern and mundane, here is a quick-reading romp for you, complete with twins who complete each other's sentences and a glossary of Scottish lingo, so you will ken what everyone is havering aboot. If you missed Book 1, it is titled The Wizard's Map. The third and final book is The Bagpiper's Ghost.

Robbie Fischer
USA

Recommended Age: 10+

If you would like to contact Robbie, you may do so here.






Translate


MuggleNet is an unofficial Harry Potter fan site. Please email us if you have any questions or concerns. MuggleNet's original layouts were designed and created by Navy. All subsequent layouts by Dylan Spartz.

LadyGagaLive.net

© 1999-2010 MuggleNet.com. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | COPPA Policy | Feedback | Credits
Random Addresses

704 muggles currently online





Poll
Alexandre Desplat is composing Deathly Hallows, Part 1. Your opinion?

Updates
Today's Updates
· Updated weekly Caption Contest [March 14]
Recent Updates
· Added new Fan Art [March 10]
· Added many new Song Parodies [March 10]
· Updated Crazy Caption Contest... for 'Maniacal March'! [March 1]
Mail

Quotes
Never used an Unforgivable Curse before, have you, boy? You need to mean them, Potter! You need to really want to cause pain — to enjoy it — righteous anger won't hurt me for long — I'll show you how it is done, shall I? I'll give you a lesson —

Bellatrix Lestrange
Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 36, Page 810

See Another Quote
Big News
(2/17) - Tom Felton says the epilogue will likely be the last Deathly Hallows scene they'll shoot
(2/12) - HPEF announces exclusive event inside Wizarding World theme park for Infinitus 2010 attendees
(2/12) - WB, LEGO announce new Harry Potter line of products for late 2010 release
(2/05) - J.K. Rowling thanks everyone who is Helping Haiti Heal
(2/02) - Confirmed: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 and 2 to be shown in 3D
(1/28) - Universal Orlando announces Wizarding World's Ollivander's Wand Shop details, more
Release Dates
Half-Blood Prince DVD:
December 8th, 2009
Wizarding World:
Spring 2010
Deathly Hallows, Pt 1:
November 19th, 2010
Deathly Hallows, Pt 2:
July 15th, 2011

Advertisement