Witch and Wizard

Patterson, James. Witch and Wizard. Little, Brown and Company: 2009. ISBN: 978-0316036245.

Summary: Whit and Wisty Allgood are normal everyday teens. Whit is a football star and Mr. popularity. Wisty is trying to get through classes each day. Everything changes one night when the police storm into their house and arrest them. Accused of being a witch and a wizard, the two are carted off to prison. A new government has taken over with a leader who is called, "The One Who is the One." This new regime is outlawing normal teenage vices like music and artists and books. Whit and Wisty deny having any special abilities until Wisty accidentally makes fire. With only each other to rely on, the brother and sister manage to escape from prison and realize that a new world order has taken over and life will never be the same.

Evaluation:
This book was interesting and exciting, but not original. Fans of dystopian and science fiction will enjoy this book on a lazy summer day or during a snow storm. It seems to be a way for an adult author to cross over and cash in on the hot young adult paranormal market. As main characters, it is hard to relate to Whit and Wisty. Whit is Mr. popularity, an experience that most teens do not have. Wisty and her attitude are more believable. The brother-sister magic connection reminds me of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott. Which, incidentally is a much better read. So, unless you love James Patterson, skip this one.

Reader's Annotation:
People are not always what they seem.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Teens can feel misunderstood and that everyone is against them. The teens in this book have that experience. Although, everyone is against them, they are confused and unprepared. Whit and Wisty lose their parents and have to take care of one another. They have their faults, but never stop trying.

Genre:
Dystopian, Science Fiction

Why I Included This Book:
Paranormal is so popular and becoming quite diverse. I wanted to sample some of the titles in this genre.