This infatuation with all things Rowling gives any other author with a wizarding series underway a sort of double-edged sword (or wand) On the one hand, even if the series in question preceded Harry Potter, it's tough not to draw comparisons. On the other, the almost otherworldly success of Rowling's series which has drawn millions (and millions and millions) of readers worldwide means that, in the necessary lull between Rowling blockbusters, young readers with a thirst for magic might find themselves sating it on other series. So, initial comparison followed by renewed success. There are worse fates for authors. Ask anyone.

           There's always a great deal at stake for Duane's magical children. Sometimes planets and even whole universes depend on them for magical intervention and cleaning up the ocean is all in a weekend's activities. Duane's young wizards are competent and powerful, especially since, in her mythology, wizards enjoy their greatest strength while immature. The wisdom and focus they attain as they grow older making up for the loss of early power.

          Author Duane has written over 20 fantasy and science fiction novels, most of them for adults. The first book in the "Young Wizards" series was So You Want to Be A Wizard, originally published in 1983. It's amusing to think that, in a literary world that was strictly chronological, young Nita would now be approaching 30.

          Is Diane Duane the writer J.K. Rowling is? It's not really a fair question. Dennis Lehane and Sue Grafton both write crime fiction, but no one is constantly comparing them. It's safe to say that the world is big enough for two -- and more! -- Fictional wizards aimed at juvenile readers. It's well known that children are close to magic. Good writers know how to bring it closer.

The books in the Young Wizarding Series are: