Parents' Guide to

Witch and Wizard

By Debra Bogart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Clever premise, but charmless, dark, and too violent.

Book James Patterson Fantasy 2009
Witch and Wizard Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 6 parent reviews

JackieC 2
JackieC 2 Adult
January 17, 2016
age 13+

YES

Read it in 8th grade.. LOVED IT. Read all books and keep recommending it to those around me.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
Jessica M.
Jessica M. Adult
August 7, 2016
age 14+

Great Book

I love to read & will read just about anything that catches my eye. Even if it's Young Adult books. This book does state that it's for ALL ages somewhere in the first few pages, I think where the Copyright & list of other books are. even though it's found in the Young Adult section. I just don't understand why parents are bashing this book when there are far more serious issues going on in this world. More violence than in this book. It's not as violent as some think. Also, look @ all the movies that are out there. There is some violence in them yet parents let their kids watch those movies (that isn't Rated R), there are PG13 movies like Spider-Man, Avengers, etc that has some violence in them but, it's no different than reading this book. It has the same amount of violence as a PG13 movie! It's just a book & if you taught your kids right from wrong, real & not real then there shouldn't be an issue if they read this book. 14-15 & up I believe is the best age range to read this book & the others that go with it. Let's be more worried about what's going on in our world of hate & violence, & the terrorism & terrorist attacks that have now made it's way into the US. Keep your kids safe from that, not silly nonsense of books that aren't real! Let's all be more worried over whats going on in our world, something that is real & should be more conserened about then our kids reading a book with some violence in it.
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Fifteen-year-old Wisty Allgood and her 17-year-old brother Whit awaken to a nightmare: soldiers invade their home and drag them to prison. Overnight, a new world order is established, and witchcraft, along with science and other magic, is outlawed. Wisty and Whit are convicted as witch and wizard and sentenced to death as soon as they turn 18. Although they had no idea they had magical powers, Wisty discovers the ability to start fires and turn people into animals. They break out of prison to find their parents, but find a resistance army of other teens and children, multiple realities, and a very violent world in chaos. Troops patrol the streets and children are living like refugees. As they search for their parents they also discover they are the subjects of a prophecy that only Wiccans can save the world from the new evil empire.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6 ):
Kids say (39 ):

WITCH AND WIZARD is too scary and violent for young readers, and not likely exciting or engaging enough for older teen readers. Patterson is known for his action-packed thrillers, but this one is hardly compelling. Whit and Wisty are likable, and the Allgood family dynamic is close and caring, but the teens soon learn that their parents kept many secrets from them, and there is no discussion of their duplicity or their motives. The military enforcers are portrayed as stupid, but how did The One Who Writes Decrees find enough stupid and willing soldiers to overthrow the entire world? And why in the world are these witches and wizards Wiccan?

There is no charm or whimsy, none of the fresh world building found in other popular fantasies of the past decade. There is nothing about this story that is new or thrilling. It makes an un-challenging, OK, light read. The most entertaining part is the list of "Especially Offensive Books That Have Been Banned" in the postscript.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about dystopian novels. What makes this book dystopian? How did The One take over the world?

  • Whit and Wisty had no idea they had magical abilities. How did their parents keep them from knowing this as they grew up?

  • The Allgood parents had to keep many secrets from their children. Were the secrets to keep them safe, or to help bring about the prophecy that is revealed?

  • Is Wiccan a religion? Are there witches and wizards in other popular fiction you've read that are not Wiccans?

Book Details

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