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Back in the 60s, Andre Norton wrote a series of children's books with "magic" in the titles: Steel Magic, Dragon Magic, Lavender-Green Magic, Fur Magic, Red Hart Magic, and Octagon Magic. The ones I've read (mostly when I was about ten) were fun, if not classic. Several have protagonists of color, though I haven't read those recently enough to recall how they were handled.
Dragon Magic is the one I recall liking best. Four boys separately find a jigsaw puzzle in an abandoned house. When they put it together, they are transported into a dragon-related episode of myth or history from their own ethnic backgrounds: a Chinese hero nicknamed "Sleeping Dragon," a dragon-monster in Africa, the Pendragon of England, Sigurd and Fafnir. I loved the idea that everyone had their own individual dragon story.
Dragon Magic: The Magic Books #4
I recently found a copy of Steel Magic, in which two brothers and a sister are transported to Avalon, and must depend on cold iron - a magically enlarged knife, spoon, and fork from the picnic basket they brought with them - to rescue three stolen Arthurian magic plot objects. Their quests involve them each facing their deepest fears (spiders, water, the dark.) It's a little rushed and definitely for children rather than teenagers, but sweet and entertaining. The giant magical silverware is a funny idea, but convincing rather than ridiculous.
Steel Magic: The Magic Books #1
Does anyone else remember these?
Dragon Magic is the one I recall liking best. Four boys separately find a jigsaw puzzle in an abandoned house. When they put it together, they are transported into a dragon-related episode of myth or history from their own ethnic backgrounds: a Chinese hero nicknamed "Sleeping Dragon," a dragon-monster in Africa, the Pendragon of England, Sigurd and Fafnir. I loved the idea that everyone had their own individual dragon story.
Dragon Magic: The Magic Books #4
I recently found a copy of Steel Magic, in which two brothers and a sister are transported to Avalon, and must depend on cold iron - a magically enlarged knife, spoon, and fork from the picnic basket they brought with them - to rescue three stolen Arthurian magic plot objects. Their quests involve them each facing their deepest fears (spiders, water, the dark.) It's a little rushed and definitely for children rather than teenagers, but sweet and entertaining. The giant magical silverware is a funny idea, but convincing rather than ridiculous.
Steel Magic: The Magic Books #1
Does anyone else remember these?