A Wizard Named Nell (The Keepers, Book 1) [Paperback]

Jackie French Koller (Author)

Book Description

A Courageous Choice

In the magical world of Eldearth, Witches and Wizards live side by side with Humans, Weefolk, though elusive, are abundant, and Dragons and Unicorns still walk the land. But the present Imperial Wizard, Keeper of the Light that protects Eldearth, is aging and ill. If a new apprentice is not found soon, Eldearth may succumb to the evil powers of the dark Lord Graieconn. There is a long tradition in Eldearth that the keeper must be a Wizard, and only boys can be Wizards, but so far, all the boys who have attempted the difficult quest to become Apprentice Keeper have failed. Time is running out.

Princess Arenelle, a promising young Witch, has just reached eleven, the age of Magic, and wishes to undertake the quest. Her father, King Einar, forbids it, fearing for her safety and claiming that her heart is too soft. Against the King's wishes, Nell sets out into the unknown with her pet demidragon, Minna. Aided by Folk she meets along the way and an albino Dragon that she rescues from near death, Nell battles the fearsome forces of nature, Evil, and ignorance that are amassed against her. It will require all of her strength, cunning, and courage to defeat them. Does Nell have what it takes to become the next Apprentice Keeper?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-Eldearth is a land in need of a new Imperial Wizard. The forces of evil are rapidly encroaching, and the Keeper of the Light is growing too old and weak to hold them off. Princess Arenelle has shown unusual gifts in the magical arts and would dearly love to embark on the quest to identify a new apprentice wizard, but, because she is a girl, the best she can hope for is to study at the Academy of Witchcraft. But Nell is clever as well as talented, and finds an unsuspecting substitute-a poor boy named Owen-to masquerade in her place at the Academy, while she secretly undertakes the journey. Along the way, she learns more than she expects about the trials of the common folk of Eldearth, proving her courage and kind heart several times over. This is a fast-moving and easy-to-read choice for fantasy fans. Witches, wizards, and humans coexist in Eldearth, although the magical folk have a higher status and better standard of living. There are vanishrouds and speaking stars reminiscent of Harry Potter's magical devices, but the general populace lives in a preindustrial culture. Nell is a steadfast and admirable heroine while Owen has depth and interest and becomes more than just a stand-in. Both girls and boys will identify with the engaging protagonists. This is the first book in a forthcoming trilogy, so it isn't too surprising when it ends with Nell only just about to gain permission to become apprentice Wizard. Readers will eagerly await the sequels.
Susan L. Rogers, Chestnut Hill Academy, PA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-5. The Imperial Wizard, who keeps the powers of Darkness at bay, is growing weak. A prophecy states that the new Imperial Wizard must be royally born, tragedy torn, and bearing the mark of the Dove, and the impetuous Princess Nell, whose mother has died, decides that she fits the first two requirements. The King forbids her to go, but Nell sets off secretly on her quest, having found an urchin boy named Owen to go off to the Wizard University in her place. The trials she faces during the three-day journey are fairly tame and in standard fairy-tale form; it is Nell's bravery, generosity, fortitude, and kindness that allow her to prevail. Although the story lacks depth, the fast pace of Nell's adventures, the presence of dragons, and the simple, albeit occasionally choppy writing style make this a good choice for young or reluctant readers. At the conclusion, the reader still doesn't know if Nell is the Chosen One, raising anticipation for a sequel. Eva Mitnick
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks; Original edition (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689855915
• ISBN-13: 978-0689855917
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #897,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical and enchanting fantasy., October 18, 2004

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Wizard Named Nell (The Keepers, Book 1) (Paperback)

Eleven-year-old Arenelle, called Nell, is the only child of the King of Xandria, one of the kingdoms of Eldearth. She has much potential in the magical arts, and would love to be Imperial Wizard -- especially now that the old Imperial Wizard is dying and needs a successor. But because she is a girl, she won't even get the chance to try -- her father forbids it. Nell is determined to have a chance and prove her worth, and so she runs away from home, determined to find the Imperial Wizard and persuade him to at least consider her. During her difficult and dangerous journey, Nell learns much about her land that she never knew, and proves that she can be brave when she needs to.

Young readers who love magical fantasy tales featuring strong girl characters are sure to enjoy this first book in an enchanting trilogy. Nell is a wonderful and very likable character that readers will cheer on in her quest to prove her worth.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Pedestrian but inoffensive children's fantasy, December 25, 2004

By 

Jennifer Mo - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Wizard Named Nell (The Keepers, Book 1) (Paperback)

The best children's fantasy books, like Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain and Norton Juster's Phantom Tollbooth, appeal to both children and readers well out of childhood. This is not the case with Jackie French Koller's undistinguished fantasy series. Colorful, brisk, easy to follow, and featuring a brave young heroine of just eleven years of age, A Wizard Named Nell has qualities that may recommend it to very young fantasy readers. However, reduced down to basics, it is the tale of a princess on a quest to save her world from an all powerful Dark Lord-- a tale that is very familiar and has been told, rather better, many times before.

Originality never once rears its head in the tale of Nell's quest to become the next apprentice to the Keeper of the Light, whose job it is to hold the Dark Forces (capitals absolutely required) at bay. The extent to which A Wizard Named Nell falls into fantasy cliches can be verified by looking at entries for "Dark Lord," "Missing Heirs," and "Minions of the Dark Lord" in Diana Wynne Jones's mercilessly satirical Tough Guide to Fantasyland, published in 1996. Nothing is actually wrong with using a few fantasy tropes, but Koller slaps these in her story without ever pausing to fully explore any of them. Eldearth feels like a movie set rather than a full realized world with its own history and rules. Incongruous bits of modernity in what is otherwise a generic, quasi-medieval fantasy world are particularly apparent in the dialogue. Raechel, the sweet, terminally ill child (see "Plague" in the Tough Guide) remarks of Nell's inevitable dragon sidekick, "She be so cute." Thankfully, the writing isn't always that bad, but some of it, combined with some very sloppy copyediting, is worth a cringe or two.

Good characterization might compensate for some of the book's other flaws, but Nell and her supporting cast possess little depth. Adults, as in Harry Potter, tend to be either totally ineffectual (if well intentioned), or narrow minded, incompetent, and ultimately obstructive to the execution of Good by the young protagonist. Nell herself is irritating in her perfection. She is alone in being progressive, compassionate, and clear-sighted, but there is never any doubt that the conservative adults who surround her are uncomplicatedly wrong in their views. (Most of them, however, praise her bravery and kindness. Often.) Koller's messages are perfectly sound, but the repeated emphasis on the need for social consciousness between different species, classes, and genders comes across as heavy-handed and unnecessarily didactic.

There is no reason why children's fantasy cannot be original, intelligent, and profound, as well as entertaining. Unfortunately, the Keeper series, despite its attractive covers (kudos to artist Rebecca Guay), isn't really any of the above. There are, however, plenty of books that are. Young fantasy readers are much better off with Sherwood Smith's Wren books, Tamora Pierce's Magic Circle quartet, or Diana Wynne Jones's Chrestomanci books, which all feature more interesting young protagonists and thoughtfully crafted magical worlds.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely a 5-Star book!!! :), February 8, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: A Wizard Named Nell (The Keepers, Book 1) (Paperback)

This book is about Areanall, a princess who wants to become the apprentice of the Imperial Wizard, who is the Keeper of the cepter, which keeps Eldearth free of evil. The Imperial Wizard is getting old, and that is why he needs an apprentice. To take on the Quest, she can only drink at sunset, and cannot eat any food. She only has three days to find the Palace of Light, where the Imperial Wizard lives.
The only one Areanell (or Nell) brings with her, is her Demidragon, Minna.
This is a great book about how if you really want to do somethng, you can. I read this book really fast, because it was so good!