The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
Author Biography:
Jonathan Stroud (www.jonathanstroud.com) is the author of the New York Times best-selling Bartimaeus Trilogy, as well as Heroes of the Valley, The Leap, The Last Siege, and Buried Fire. He lives in England with his family. Information retrieved from Amazon.com
Published By: Doubleday, 2003
ISBN: 078685255-0
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Grades 6-8
Reader’s Annotation:
Nathaniel Hawthorne, a young magician, is humiliated by Simon Lovelace, a far older, far more powerful mystic in front of his master and many prominent figures within the magical community. Swearing revenge, Nathaniel summons the djinni Bartimaeus to steal Lovelace’s most prized possession, the Amulet of Samarkand. By doing so, however, Nathaniel earns the hatred of both the djinni and Lovelace.
Plot Summary:
Nathaniel Hawthorne is an 11-year-old apprentice to the magician Arthur Underwood, a rank and file magician who works within the government. Though Nathaniel is an excellent student, he is routinely ignored by his master who refuses to teach him the spells he is so desperate to learn. Fed up with Underwood, Nathaniel begins studying magic on his own, learning a variety of spells his master would claim are far too advanced for him.
Nathaniel’s abilities are put to the test one day when Underwood meets with a host of other magicians from the government. The magicians think little of Underwood, and challenge him through Nathaniel by taunting him, calling him a waste of space, and ultimately quizzing him on the essentials of summoning and spellcraft. Answering the questions correctly, he makes Underwood proud, though the magician Simon Lovelace claims he is nothing special for rattling off the bare essentials of magic. Nathaniel talks back to him, but is then publicly humiliated as Lovelace casts a spell and binds him with a demon, who tears at his hair and holds him down.
Time passes since the incident, but Nathaniel still remains enraged by the event. He summons a lesser demon to spy on Lovelace, and learns the magician has recently acquired a relic known as the Amulet of Samarkand. Nathaniel’s revenge is slow, and six months later he develops the ability to summon the djinni, Bartimaeus and tasks him with stealing the amulet. Bartimaeus, a surly, ill-tempered spirit, is angry to be bound by such a young boy and frequently attempts to kill him during the course of his summoning. Bartimaeus does manage to steal the amulet, but before long they learn the amulet is actually the property of the government, which Lovelace himself stole for his own use. Not only does Nathaniel have to worry about Bartimaeus murdering him, but now Lovelace and his minions are eager to find who took the amulet and send them to an early grave. Worse still, the amulet could be the key to a plot to destroy the government and install Lovelace as the new leader.
Critical Evaluation:
Most people are familiar with genies and their three wishes, most likely through Disney’s Aladdin. Fewer are aware djinni are usually malevolent and are eager to harm or kill their summoners. Stroud takes this to an entirely new level, explaining that djinni are actually enslaved and are frequently tortured by their masters to do their bidding. Nathaniel, in fact, is taught this is the proper way of things and also tortures Bartimaeus on a daily basis, even though he is only a young child. The book frequently shifts from Nathaniel’s point of view to even Bartimaeus, who frequently bemoans his slavery and has a snide comment for almost anything Nathaniel does.
The novel constantly questions the ethics of Nathaniel and Bartimaeus’s actions, as well as how the London magicians treat the mundane humans who are incapable of casting spells. Unique to this book is Bartimaeus’s constant use of footnotes during his telling of the story, which are usually mean-spirited and frequently amusing.
The Amulet of Samarkand is a great book for reluctant readers who enjoy fantasy. Stroud ditches the fuzzy storytelling of two friends trying to save the world, and instead focus on a partnership that only exists to save their own lives. The story is dark, humorous, and touches on slavery, class warfare, and the treatment of children by their guardians without ever sounding like it is preaching.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
Defensive Maneuvers:
Book Talking Ideas:
If you were embarrassed by people you respected, would you seek revenge? Would you do so even if it meant enslaving someone and harming them to do it?
Why This Book?
The Amulet of Samarkand is a borderline book, frequently appearing in library collections in both the juvenile and young adult section. Regardless, the book is fast paced, witty, and is given a unique voice and personality when in the viewpoint of Bartimaeus. Teens will be hungry for more after finishing the first volume.
Jonathan Stroud (www.jonathanstroud.com) is the author of the New York Times best-selling Bartimaeus Trilogy, as well as Heroes of the Valley, The Leap, The Last Siege, and Buried Fire. He lives in England with his family. Information retrieved from Amazon.com
Published By: Doubleday, 2003
ISBN: 078685255-0
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Grades 6-8
Reader’s Annotation:
Nathaniel Hawthorne, a young magician, is humiliated by Simon Lovelace, a far older, far more powerful mystic in front of his master and many prominent figures within the magical community. Swearing revenge, Nathaniel summons the djinni Bartimaeus to steal Lovelace’s most prized possession, the Amulet of Samarkand. By doing so, however, Nathaniel earns the hatred of both the djinni and Lovelace.
Plot Summary:
Nathaniel Hawthorne is an 11-year-old apprentice to the magician Arthur Underwood, a rank and file magician who works within the government. Though Nathaniel is an excellent student, he is routinely ignored by his master who refuses to teach him the spells he is so desperate to learn. Fed up with Underwood, Nathaniel begins studying magic on his own, learning a variety of spells his master would claim are far too advanced for him.
Nathaniel’s abilities are put to the test one day when Underwood meets with a host of other magicians from the government. The magicians think little of Underwood, and challenge him through Nathaniel by taunting him, calling him a waste of space, and ultimately quizzing him on the essentials of summoning and spellcraft. Answering the questions correctly, he makes Underwood proud, though the magician Simon Lovelace claims he is nothing special for rattling off the bare essentials of magic. Nathaniel talks back to him, but is then publicly humiliated as Lovelace casts a spell and binds him with a demon, who tears at his hair and holds him down.
Time passes since the incident, but Nathaniel still remains enraged by the event. He summons a lesser demon to spy on Lovelace, and learns the magician has recently acquired a relic known as the Amulet of Samarkand. Nathaniel’s revenge is slow, and six months later he develops the ability to summon the djinni, Bartimaeus and tasks him with stealing the amulet. Bartimaeus, a surly, ill-tempered spirit, is angry to be bound by such a young boy and frequently attempts to kill him during the course of his summoning. Bartimaeus does manage to steal the amulet, but before long they learn the amulet is actually the property of the government, which Lovelace himself stole for his own use. Not only does Nathaniel have to worry about Bartimaeus murdering him, but now Lovelace and his minions are eager to find who took the amulet and send them to an early grave. Worse still, the amulet could be the key to a plot to destroy the government and install Lovelace as the new leader.
Critical Evaluation:
Most people are familiar with genies and their three wishes, most likely through Disney’s Aladdin. Fewer are aware djinni are usually malevolent and are eager to harm or kill their summoners. Stroud takes this to an entirely new level, explaining that djinni are actually enslaved and are frequently tortured by their masters to do their bidding. Nathaniel, in fact, is taught this is the proper way of things and also tortures Bartimaeus on a daily basis, even though he is only a young child. The book frequently shifts from Nathaniel’s point of view to even Bartimaeus, who frequently bemoans his slavery and has a snide comment for almost anything Nathaniel does.
The novel constantly questions the ethics of Nathaniel and Bartimaeus’s actions, as well as how the London magicians treat the mundane humans who are incapable of casting spells. Unique to this book is Bartimaeus’s constant use of footnotes during his telling of the story, which are usually mean-spirited and frequently amusing.
The Amulet of Samarkand is a great book for reluctant readers who enjoy fantasy. Stroud ditches the fuzzy storytelling of two friends trying to save the world, and instead focus on a partnership that only exists to save their own lives. The story is dark, humorous, and touches on slavery, class warfare, and the treatment of children by their guardians without ever sounding like it is preaching.
Curriculum Ties:
- Discussions on slavery and class warfare.
Challenge Issues:
- Demonic summoning, anti-Christian
Defensive Maneuvers:
- Have the library's collection policy on hand and memorized. Even though you may have it committed to memory, being able to show specific provisions as proof with strengthen your position.
- Be familiar with the book. Having great knowledge of it will prove you understand the content and the way the challenged matters interact with each other. Although the characters are all practitioners of magic, it's actually shown to be a terrible force used for slavery. Hardly flattering, to say the least.
- Cite any awards the book may have. Though the patron may disagree with the book, showing that it is well known and seen as having great literary merit will strengthen your defense.
- Have a few reviews ready from respected sources such as Amazon or VOYA. At the very least, you can prove you understand the material and reviews will corroborate that.
- Have a strong idea WHY that item is in the library. Explain its merits, who the intended audience is, and so on.
- State your library's commitment to providing intellectual freedom as written in the Library Bill of Rights.
- Stay calm. Getting defensive or hot under the collar will only weaken your position.
- And finally, be open to discussion and LISTEN. Even if you do not agree with the patron, their concerns are still legitimate and you should show that you are engaged with them. Listening to their concerns may be enough to take the edge off.
Book Talking Ideas:
If you were embarrassed by people you respected, would you seek revenge? Would you do so even if it meant enslaving someone and harming them to do it?
Why This Book?
The Amulet of Samarkand is a borderline book, frequently appearing in library collections in both the juvenile and young adult section. Regardless, the book is fast paced, witty, and is given a unique voice and personality when in the viewpoint of Bartimaeus. Teens will be hungry for more after finishing the first volume.