West Wicklow’s Wizard Writer

© Cover image
Cliff Nielsen

Full title: So You Want to be a Wizard [a novel]

Creator / Author: Diane Duane

Item Type / Page count: Book / 386p

When Published: 1983 and later

Publisher / Place of Publication: Magic Carpet Books Harcourt Inc. / San Diego, USA

About: This is a fantasy novel for young adults and the first in the Young Wizards Series.  The main character, Nita, is having some problems with bullies. However, when she comes across a certain book in the library it leads to all kinds of adventures. When your family have read all the Harry Potters, this book and the others in the series might just cast an enchanting spell.

ID number(s): 9780152162504

Chapters: Prologue — Preliminary Exercises — Research and Development — Temporospatial Claudications: use and abuse – Exocontinual Protocols — Entropics: detection and avoidance — Contractual Magic: an introduction – Major Wizardries: termination and recovery — Timeheart.

WW Connection #1: Diane Duane is a prolific science fiction and fantasy writer and the recipient of several awards. She is American by birth but has been living in the West Wicklow area for many years. She has written dozens of books, short stories, television and film screenplays (including Star Trek), comics, graphic novels and computer games content.

Extra #1: Opening lines: “Part of the problem, Nita thought as she tore desperately down Rose Avenue, is that I can’t keep my mouth shut…”

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #4: Some editions include a preview of ‘Deep Wizardry’, the second book in the series.

Extra #5: Link to Diane Duane’s website

Extra #6: Read all about Diane Duane on Wikipedia

Hat-Tip: To author Diane Duane for listing her works here, thus saving this blogger from possible carpal tunnel complications.

Fairy Tales and Other Stories

© The Publisher
(cover David Wardle)

Full title: Irish Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends

Creator / Author: Kieran Fanning, artwork by David Wardle

Item Type / Page count: Book / 226p

When Published: 2020

Publisher / Place of Publication: Scholastic Children’s Books / 2020 Euston House, 24 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 1DB, United Kingdom.

About: A fictionalised re-telling of some well known and not so well-known stories from the treasure house of Ireland’s myth and legends. Eighteen short chapters, specially written for children, introduce the reader to the likes of Cúculainn, Oisin, Fionn, Balor and his Evil Eye, the Children of Lir and lots more. Overall, a perfect collection for 8-12 year olds.

ID number(s): 9780702300165

Contents: [Fairy Tales and Folklore] The King’s Secret — King Corc and his Daughter — The Twelve Wild Geese — The Lazy Beauty and her Aunts – The Lady of Gallarus — The Legend of Bottlehill — Jack and the Man in Black — [The Mythological Cycle] Nuada of the Silver Arm — Balor of the Evil Eye — The Children of Lir — [The Ulster Cycle] The Hound of Cullan – Cúculainn and Emer — The Cattle Raid of Cooley — [The Fenian Cycle] Fionn and the Salmon of Knowledge – Fionn and the Fire Demon of Tara — The Giant’s Causeway — The Birth of Oisín – Oisín in Tír na nÓg.

WW Connection #1: The author is a native of Stratford-on-Slaney in West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication

Extra #2: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #3: Link to the Author’s website

Extra #4: Link to the Publisher’s website

The Samurai Wars Book One

© The Publisher

Full title: The Black Lotus [a novel]

Creator / Author: Kieran Fanning

Item Type / Page count: Book / 313p

When Published: 2015

Publisher / Place of Publication: Chicken House / 2 Palmer Street, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DS, United Kingdom.

About: A fantasy book aimed at younger teenagers. The characters Ghost, Cormac and Kate all have special and unusual abilities and talents. They become recruits of a training school for ninjas called The Black Lotus. Their talents are called upon sooner than they could have imagined in an adventure that ranges over different time periods and different locations. This book is the first in The Samurai Wars series.

ID number(s): 9781909489929

WW Connection #1: The author is a native of Stratford-on-Slaney in West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Opening lines: ‘Ghost winced with every step. He hated wearing shoes. This was his first pair and, according to his friend, Squint, they were handmade and had cost a fortune.…..

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #4: Link to the Author’s website

Extra #5: Link to the Publisher’s website

A Children’s Science Fiction Puzzle Book

© The Publisher

Full title: Curse of the Cockroach [a novel]

Creator / Author: Kieran Fanning

Item Type / Page count: Book / 125p

When Published: 2005

Publisher / Place of Publication: Mentor Books / 43 Furze Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18.

About: A children’s novel in the form of a puzzle book. This is the last of four titles in a series called Code Crackers which require the reader to solve puzzles before moving on to subsequent pages. The book is aimed at a nine to thirteen-year-old readership. In this volume, the heroes, Sam and Lisa, have to prevent alien creatures, called Blats, from destroying the human race and taking over the Earth.

ID number(s): 1842102931

WW Connection #1: The author is a native of Stratford-on-Slaney in West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Opening lines: ‘So how come we never see your Uncle Dave?’ pondered Lisa as she slouched over an armchair, flicking ferociously through the hundreds of channels that was ‘American TV’. She didn’t want to say but it had been a bit boring staying with Sam’s relations. After all, this was supposed to be a holiday…..

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #4: Contains illustrations by the author.

Extra #5: Link to the Author’s website [http://www.kieranfanning.com/]

The Teacher’s a Witch

© The Publisher

Full title: Tempest of Trouble [a novel]

Creator / Author: Kieran Fanning

Item Type / Page count: Book / 125p

When Published: 2003

Publisher / Place of Publication: Mentor Books / 43 Furze Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18.

About: A children’s novel in the form of a puzzle book. This is the third of four titles in a series called Code Crackers which require the reader to solve puzzles before moving on to subsequent pages. The book is aimed at a nine to thirteen-year-old readership. In this volume, the heroes, Sam and Lisa, have a spell cast on them by their teacher who happens to be an evil witch. They find themselves stranded on an enchanted island and have to devise some means of escape.

ID number(s): 1842102036

WW Connection #1: The author is a native of Stratford-on-Slaney in West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Opening lines: “Although it was only a training session, Sam took it as seriously as if it was a real match. Dropping his shoulder, he skipped past his man, only to be immediately confronted by a head-on tackle. It was his pal, Aaron, charging like a bull!……

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #4: Contains illustrations by the author.

Extra #5: Link to the Author’s website [http://www.kieranfanning.com/]

A Teenage Summer (as Gaeilge)

© The Publisher

Full title: Samhradh Samhradh [a novel]

Creator / Author: Séamas Ó Maitiú

Item Type / Page count: Book / 160p

When Published: 1983

Publisher / Place of Publication: Pangar Dubh / 463 Páirc Orwell, Teach Mealóg, Baile Átha Cliath 12

About: A novel for teenagers, written in the Irish language. The principal character goes to see the Rolling Stones in concert at Slane, but doesn’t return home. Instead an adventure is undertaken not only throughout Ireland but through time as well. A musical theme runs through the book.

ID number(s): None

WW Connection #1: The author is a long-time resident of West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Opening line: “Feach an héileacaptar!” arsa an síobshiúlai, ag síneadh a mhéire ar an spota glioscarnach sa speir thoir…

Extra #2: This book won a prize in Comórtas an Oireachtais 1983.

Extra #3: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #4: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #5: Link to a portrait of the author via https://portraidi.ie/ga/seamas-o-maitiu/

Wonders of Ireland (as Gaeilge)

© AN GÚM

Full title: Iontais na hÉireann

Creator / Author: Séamas Ó Maitiú

Item Type / Page count: Book / 84pp

When Published: 1995

Publisher / Place of Publication: AN GÚM / 44 O’Connell Upper, Dublin 1.

About: A children’s book written in the Irish language. The book is a mixture of fairy tales and true stories, all collected under the banner of ‘Irish Wonders’. The book is aimed at learners of Irish and includes translations of the more difficult words.

ID number(s): 1857911733

Chapters: Long an tSaibhris – An bhaca tú do Vailintín  – An áit is dorcha in Éireann –An chloch a ligeadh liú aisti! – Nithe a thiteann as an spéir – An tslí mhór thar an bportach –Saighdiúir ar iarraidh – Leiviatan Pharsonstown – Cuileog, dar fia! — Chroith mé lámh leis na mairbh – Cá bhfaightear an fhalcóg mhór? — Fuinneog an bháis – Arkle – ar luas lasrach – An Mol Theas I gCiarrái! – Dineasár I gContae an Dúin – Cá bhfuil Shergar? – Réabóirí reilige – Póg na beatha – Master McGrath – ar nós na gaoithe – Gadaíocht sa Chaisleán.

WW Connection #1: The author is a long-time resident of West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Each chapter includes a colour illustration by Pieter Sluis.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #4: Link to a portrait of the author via https://portraidi.ie/ga/seamas-o-maitiu/

A Viking Adventure for Kids

© The Publisher

Full title: Voyage to Victory [a novel]

Creator / Author: Kieran Fanning

Item Type / Page count: Book / 125p

When Published: 2001

Publisher / Place of Publication: Mentor Books / 43 Furze Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18.

About: A children’s novel in the form of a puzzle book. This is the second of four titles in a series called Code Crackers which require the reader to solve puzzles before moving on to subsequent pages. The book is aimed at a nine to thirteen-year-old readership. In this volume, the heroes, Sam and Lisa, are somehow transported back in time to the 8th century and get involved in a Viking adventure.

ID number(s): 1842100858  / 9781842100851

WW Connection #1: The author is a native of Stratford-on-Slaney in West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Opening lines: ”The old bus chugged towards the Heritage Museum. Only five minutes to go. It was school tour time again and amid the shouting, paper flicking, singing and general chaos that existed on the bus sat two best friends, Sam and Lisa. Of course they were sitting away from each other because teachers never allow friends to sit together. “You’ll only get each other into trouble”, explained Miss Fussy……

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #4: Contains illustrations by the author.

Extra #5: Link to the Author’s website [http://www.kieranfanning.com/]

A Puzzle on Every Page

© The Publisher

Full title: Trapdoor to Treachery [a novel]

Creator / Author: Kieran Fanning

Item Type / Page count: Book / 128p

When Published: 2000

Publisher / Place of Publication: Mentor Books / 43 Furze Road, Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18.

About: A children’s novel which takes the form of a puzzle book. This is the first of four titles in a series called Code Crackers which require the reader to solve puzzles before moving on subsequent pages. The book is aimed at a nine to thirteen-year-old readership. The heroes, Sam and Lisa, go on the trail of a mysterious thief and are led into a strange and exciting world full of puzzles, elves and gobbledegooks.

ID number(s): 1842100238 / 9781842100233

WW Connection #1: The author is a native of Stratford-on-Slaney in West Wicklow.

Extra #1: Opening lines: ”Lowtown was a small quiet place. Sam and Lisa lived there. They were best friends and because neither of them had any brothers or sisters they spent most of their free time together. It was the summer holidays and they were out in Sam’s back garden. They were bored. ‘Let’s play detectives’, suggested Sam….”

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.

Extra #4: Contains illustrations by the author.

Extra #5: Link to the Author’s website [http://www.kieranfanning.com/]

Grandma on Holiday

© The Author

Full title: The Galloping Grandmother

Creator / Author: Sue Doyle

Item Type / Page count: Book / 105p

When Published: 1995

Publisher / Place of Publication: Piper’s Planet / No location given.

About: A story, suitable for 9-13 year olds, which features an enterprising Grandma and her family on holiday. The charity, ‘Children in Crisis’, benefits from the sale of each copy of this book.

ID number(s): 0952490153

WW Connection #1: The author lives “on a mountain view, near Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow”.

Extra #1: includes illustrations by the author.

Extra #2: Check Libraries Ireland for this publication.

Extra #3: Check OCLC WorldCat.org for this publication in libraries worldwide.