Circle Of Magic #01: Sandry's Book [Photocopy, Unabridged, Facsimile] [Paperback]

Tamora Pierce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1997 | Series: Circle Of Magic (Book 1)

Four young misfits find themselves living in a strictly disciplined temple community where they become friends while also learning to do crafts and to use their powers, especially magic.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7. Sandry wants desperately to learn to spin and weave despite her noble birth; she finds that she can spin light into her threads. Tris comes from a family of merchants but has an uncanny feel for weather and hears voices on the winds. Briar, a former street urchin and thief, communicates with plants. Daja is a Trader, but metalworking calls her now. Sandry's Book focuses equally on these four children, all abandoned or orphaned and all equally unaware of being mageborn?gifted with a particular talent and magical abilities. The four meet at Discipline Cottage, part of Winding Circle Temple, where the powerful mage Niko has brought them to heal the wounds of their past and to learn to channel and control their abilities. Although the four have some conflicts with their new surroundings and with one another, they are united when misuse of magic at another temple puts everyone in mortal danger. A bit unfocused, the story features too many main characters with individual stories to tell and borrows too much from our own world to be surprising. The youngsters are appealing and the conflicts between them are logical and believable. However, while Daja's affinity for metals and Briar's for plants are well defined, it is harder to tell how Sandry will use her magical talent, or what Tris's abilities have to do with the crafts that are predominant throughout the book. In spite of its faults, this is an enjoyable fantasy for middle-grade readers, who will look forward to the next book in the series.?Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy,
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

In a fantasy set in mythical lands surrounding the Pebbled Sea, four young people come to terms with the pain that life has dealt them, the prejudices they've inherited, and the unrecognized magical powers they were born with. The four come from varying backgrounds, but all have been misfits rankling against the restrictions that class and culture impose. Sandry (Lady Sandrilene fa Toren) feels ``Good f'r naught but to be waited on and to marry.'' She longs to be useful and competent. Daja, the Trader girl, wants to be a metalworker, but making things is forbidden to traders. Briar, a streetwise thief, harbors a special affinity for plants, and Trisana, the Merchant girl, seems to have a direct line to the forces of nature itself. Mage Niklaren Goldeye brings all four to a disciplined temple community where their special gifts can flower. Pierce (Wild Magic, 1992, etc.) employs the trappings of magic, yet never invokes it as a convenient plot device imposed from without. Instead it appears as an inner strength that each of the fully realized, compelling young protagonists must discover and harness. Meditation and the Zen-like practice of hands-on crafts are their tools of mastery. First in a series, this is a rich and satisfying read. (Fiction. 11-13) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590553569
• ISBN-13: 978-0590553568
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (115 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,919,912 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honestly, you haven't read this book?, January 15, 2000

By 

Natalie Dupęcher - See all my reviews

This review is from: Circle Of Magic #01: Sandry's Book (Paperback)

I hope you're just dipping into this out of idle curiosity- want to see what others think of this superb book. But maybe you're reading all these reviews because you haven't read Sandry' Book. Well, in the words of Bob Crachit, "A triumph . . . another triumph!" Sandry's Book is an enthralling story of four children that are as different as can be. Their talents are identified, and they are brought to Winding Circle Temple, where one would just expect them to learn and head out. But these are no ordinary gifts. Against all odds, Sandry, Tris, Daja, and Briar must overcome the evil that has entered the temple life. This tale is cleverly planned, beautifully written, and, in my opinion, a fresh classic by Tamora Pierce that will be enjoyed for generations to come. You don't have to look very far to find someone who had read and loved Sandry's Book. In fact, I'd venture to say that 99% of everyone that has read this has become hooked on Tamora Pierce's books. Honestly, you're missing out- get Sandry's Book soon, and you'll be opening a window into the world of fantasy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sandry's Book Great!, March 5, 2000

By 

emb (new jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Circle Of Magic #01: Sandry's Book (Paperback)

Sandry's Book, the first in Tamora Pierce's new series Circle of Magic, is definitely a new winner. This book really shows that even though people can be extremly different it does not mean that they can not get along. The book takes place on a world were magic is common, but only certain kinds. It is the story of four young people and their struggle with both friendship and magic. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good fantasy read.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sandry's Book, December 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Circle Of Magic #01: Sandry's Book (Paperback)

Sandry's Book was what started me into the Circle of Magic series. How could you not like it? It seems that when Tris won't tell of her backround and what happened before she ended up at Winding Circle, you are the only person to know of what she went through. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves Tamora Pierce, no matter the age. This book introduced me into all of Pierce's wonderful books. I haven't stopped reading her books and I can't wait for her to write more. The way she wrote this book to include all of Discipine's inhabitants is wonderful. You don't only get to read about Sandry but her many friends as well. You not only learn about Sandry but also Tris, Daja, and Briar. This book is a great way to start off your own Tamora Pierce collection!