The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder (Johnny Dixon) [Paperback]

Brad Strickland (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Johnny Dixon

Fergie takes an enchanted book from the library and slowly falls under the evil spell of sorcerer Thanatos, jeopardizing his own life and the lives of his friend and professor, but if no one can save Fergie, Thanatos will gain the power to live forever."

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8. If imitation is indeed the finest form of flattery, John Bellairs would be very pleased with Strickland's newest novel of evildoings in Duston Heights, MA, in the mid-1950s. Fans will warmly greet again their old friends Johnny Dixon, Fergie, and Professor Childermass. Bored, Fergie looks for the last book in the town library (Dewey decimal number 999.99T). The Book of True Wishes, by evil spellbinder Jarmyn Thanatos, puts the boy under a spell that threatens not only his own life but also the lives of his friends and family. The mad sorcerer, in an attempt to achieve earthly immortality, has been kidnapping boys and taking possession of their bodies for the past 300 years. Fergie is his next victim. Can his friends save him? Replete with eerie details?swarming locust mummies, locked coffins, pealing bells, and ghosts?the tension escalates quickly in this sure-to-please page-turner for readers who might have graduated from Goosebumps yet are not quite ready for Stephen King. Perhaps what is eeriest of all is Strickland's perfect imitation of Bellairs. Could it be reincarnation or body snatching? Sounds like a potential Strickland/Bellairs novel.?Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014130362X
• ISBN-13: 978-0141303628
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,346,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Brad, give it up..., May 26, 2001

By 

Hallie Engel (Doha, Qatar) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder (Johnny Dixon) (Paperback)

I am a loyal and long-time fan of Bellairs' works. When he died, my heart broke at the thought of his characters being forever retired. My hope was rekindled when I discovered a copy of "The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie" and found out that Strickland was attempting to step in for the late author. With "Drum," he succeeded, but only because he was writing a book based on a plot concept of Bellairs'. When left to forge his own stories, he produces dull, cheesy books that shy away from the terror and suspense Bellairs mastered. In this story, Fergie becomes the main player, which is a poor decision in itself, as the Fergie character can't carry a story the way Johhny and the Prof can. Secondly, the tale of an evil man out to steal Fergie's youth could work, but it is poorly executed. The concept of an evil book with Fergie's name embossed on it and the power to reapear after being discarded is both hokey and hackneyed. I'm sure that Bellairs would've appreciated Strickland's gesture, but would have preferred he let it go.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Kind of a Repeat, August 14, 2006

By 

Hannibal (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder (Johnny Dixon) (Paperback)

There are two books with this exact same plot.

In one, Fergie goes and swipes a book from the library, unwittingly putting himself under the spell of an ancient evil warlock who pushes him to use the book's diabolical power to hurt those who wronged him. In the other, Rose Rita steals a scroll from a museum, unwittingly putting herself under the spell of an ancient evil witch who pushes her to use the scroll's diabolical power to hurt those who wronged her. In each case, the spellbinders in question entomb the ensnared protagonist in the same place that they themselves were buried long ago. The stories read the same, as if the author created a template and merely filled in different names and applicable pronouns, which is kind of a gyp since I had to pay for both books.

Jarmyn Thanatos was the only thing that really stood out about this book. A master spellbinder who hob-nobbed people like Cogliostrio and John Dee, he has a lot of tricks up his sleeve and he didn't make it easy for Professor Childermass, Johnny, Father Higgins, or Sarah.

One of my favorite scenes was when he conjured an army of insects to guard his fortress of doom. Seems pretty bland, right? But it turns out these insects were the mummified remains of billions of dead flies that he swoop down on Johnny and the Prof, filling their noses and mouths with their decaying corpses. That was just nasty right there.

That was one of the more inspired tactics of a villain who actually thinks that rearranging his rather peculiar name (Jarmyn Thanatos into Thomas Jannatry) would totally deceive a team of experts like Professor Childermass and Dr. Coote. He was kind of clever at times with the names but eventually you wonder how he got away with that kind of garbage throughout the years.

You have to feel sorry for Jarmyn Thanatos though. He's the villain of a book that's a retread of at least one other by the same author, he has a pretty lame motivation ("I want to live forever!" "Uh, why?") and his last name was THANATOS.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Adventure, October 19, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Bell, the Book, and the Spellbinder (Johnny Dixon) (Paperback)

When Fergie takes the mysterious book from the library he doesn't know what he's getting himself into. His whole life starts changeing when he gets brainwashed by the evil spellbinder Jarmyn Thanatos. Until his friends discover what was really going on and save his life.