Lost Magic [Paperback]

Berthe Amoss (Author), Diane Stanley (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1995

Ceridwen, the descendent of a talented spellmaker, wins love and confidence as the Wise Woman of Bedevere, but has trouble winning over Dame Bewick, the governess of Lord Robert's family. Reprint. AB. PW.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in Britain during the Middle Ages, this well-crafted story centers on Ceridwen, a Wise Woman who can heal sickness with herbs. When she becomes the chief companion to a nobleman's daughter, a jealous rival accuses Ceridwen of witchcraft. the course of defending her reputation, Ceridwen discovers that she does indeed possess immense magical abilities. Amoss weaves the threads of familiar folktales into a boldly original narrative. Depictions of intrigue and day-to-day life in a feudal castle provide a colorful, realistic backdrop to this fantastical tale. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-7. Amoss' story, set in the Middle Ages, focuses on an abandoned waif adopted by an old wisewoman who discovers that the child, Ceridwen, is the descendant and namesake of a talented spellmaker. After telling Ceridwen, "You are your name and your name is you," the old woman instructs the youngster in the use of herbs and healing powers, warning her never to use magic without a purpose. After she cures Lord Robert, Ceridwen takes up residence in the lord's castle and becomes "the Wise Woman of Bedevere." Although she quickly gains the confidence and love of Lord Robert's wife and daughter, Dame Bewick, the governess, is another matter. Insanely jealous and in love with Lord Robert, Dame Bewick is determined to undermine Ceridwen's power, reduce her to ashes, and become the lady of the castle. With deft characterizations, a taut plot, and absorbing conflicts, Amoss' satisfying story is a pleasant blend of fantasy and history. Fast-paced action right up to the very last sentence. Deborah Abbott --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (Juv) (May 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786810343
• ISBN-13: 978-0786810345
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,376,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born in New Orleans and attended Newcomb Colleege and Tulane University where I hold a Master's Degree in English and Art. From 1982 until 1994, I taught Children's Literature at Tulane and wrote a column, Reading, Writing, and Children, for the Times Picayune, New Orleans' only daily newspaper. I am the author/illustrator of more than 24 picture books, four YA novels, and three how-to books with Eric Suben, former editor-in-chief of Golden Books (see website for total list of published books).
I have been married to James Amoss, former CEO of Lykes Brothers Steamship Co. and now president of Sea Point. We have six sons, six beautiful daughters-in-law and twelve wonderful grandchildren. We have lived in Hawaii, Germany and Belgium, and now in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast in Pass Christian, MS. Our house in Pass Christian was destroyed by Hurricane Camille and then by Katrina. The newly rebuilt one has survived both Gustav and Ike.
In my 83 years, I have never missed a year of attending art school. After family, my main interests are art, writing, fishing and gardening.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fifth Grade Book Club Review, December 12, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Lost Magic (Hardcover)

We are fifth graders who have our own book club. Here are our names and opinions about "Lost Magic:"Justine: I liked the book because there were short poems that describe each chapter.Laiah: I liked this book because the main character is a girl who does not rely on people to help her.Jaycie: The book was really descriptive and I got an image of almost everything in my mind.Simone:I liked the book, but it was kind of sad and distrubing, because people were burned because they were thought to be witches.Erin: I liked the book because it told about herbs and how they cure diseases.Leslie: I liked the book, but I also didn't like it because it really got into detail about how contagious Black Death was and how people died from it.Emily:The little girl Elinor, was really cute and she respected the main character, Cerridwen.

5.0 out of 5 stars Coming Back, March 24, 2011

By 

lyric soprano - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lost Magic (Paperback)

I love this book, and have since I was about ten years old. I'd actually forgotten about it, until I started talking to a friend of mine about books that had really stuck with us as kids-- I used to check Lost Magic out of the school library about three times a year, when I couldn't find anything else good to read! Can't believe I found it again after so many years.

5.0 out of 5 stars Daugter keeps checking this one out., November 17, 2010

By 

clanRoss mom "clanrossmom" (Space Center, Mississippi) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lost Magic (Paperback)

My daughter has checked this one out of the library 3 or 4 times. She reads a lot of fantasy and this is one of her favorites. :)