Again, don’t let the two stars fool you.  I rate books based on how much I like them, and this is a chapter book for those who are only beginning to read on their own.  It is perfect for that niche.  (In fact, I recommended it to a second grader at the library today.)

Edward lives in the town of Pigbone, where nothing ever happens.  Then Moongobble moves into town.  He’s trying to learn to be a wizard.  (He used to be a shoemaker and got fascinated by magic when some elves helped him make shoes.)

Unfortunately, Moongobble is not very good at magic.  He keeps accidentally turning things into cheese.  So when the head wizard Fazwad shows up, Moongobble can’t perform well enough to become a certified wizard.  He will have to stop doing magic unless he can redeem one more chance—and complete three Mighty Tasks.

Edward gets to go along as Moongobble’s helper in the first task.  It doesn’t work out quite as expected, but it is funny and entertaining.

This series of books will be another one which I will point readers to who have been ordered to read a chapter book for class.  It’s interesting and tells a good story, while using simple language that a new reader won’t find daunting.

Reviews of other books by Bruce Coville:
Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
The Monsters of Morley Manor
William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Half-Human