Merlin: The Book of Magic, Book 12
In this encyclopedic companion volume, purportedly Merlin’s journal, Barron brings together a great deal of information and lore drawn from his Merlin series and offers short summaries of “Strange Characters,” “Wondrous Places,” and “Magical Terms,” arranged under the headings Fincayra, Avalon, Otherworld, and Earth. A time line and an index make the contents accessible. Besides the attractive black-and-white maps and small illustrations with the appearance of woodcuts, dramatic full-color illustrations appear at intervals throughout. Primarily of interest to dedicated fans, this will also answer questions for readers with gaps in their memory or knowledge of Barron’s richly imagined Merlin saga. Grades 6-9. --Carolyn Phelan