And I feel a little left out with college being back in and my mom being an adviser, helping those students who think starting the year off with procrastination was a good idea. The smell of new text books! the rush of getting an overview of what the semester has in store!
ANNNYYYWAAAYYY...
The topic for this week's Top 5 Wednesday is Book List: Create a required reading list for your chosen subject (genre, trope, etc)
So if I was a teacher of Breaking the Mold! A look at diverse protagonists in graphic novels, I might list Moonstruck Vol 1: Magic to Brew by Grace Ellis and Shae Beagle. However because I can't list five this isn't the topic I actually choose, but thought it'd be a fun example.
If I were to teach a class, my current fancy would be around magic.
so...
Hello Students! Welcome to Constructing Magic: A look into the Magic systems of YA/Middle Grade books
Required reading is as follows (in no particular order):
1) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Magic System: Wishy Washy at best: this series plays loose with some of it's magical "rules" leaving plot holes through out the series. Primarily based on mythology and historical texts of witch craft.
Disclaimer: I can't promise this will be the only one we'll read.
2) Eragon by Chirstopher Paolini
Magic System: A heirarchy of magic through races: Dragon's being the dominant species being able to wield magic to their will. Elves creating the "ancient language", a language able to control magic so long as you speak it correctly, Dwarves dabble in magic but feel that life is in the hands of their Gods. Humans, few study in magic, but being the weakest of the races can only control so much of it. The magic system adheres to strength, pending on the strength of a person pends on the strength of the spell cast. However if ancient language is said incorrectly or there is no subtext, magic can go beyond the caster's control and strength, leading in death.
Disclaimer: And most likely the rest of the Inheritance Cycle as the magic system isn't truly explored until book two: Eldest
3) The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol
Magic System: Magic is treated as though a natural element. Vein's of magic are stronger in wild as opposed to cities. Witches control said magic through writing glyphs in certain elements pertaining to spells, and concentration.
4) An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
Magic System: Seems to restrict Humans from doing magic at all. Magic is used as a source of payment for human crafts. Faye can't craft but can enchant and work spells. Have a knack for collecting "pretty" crafts from humans. Seem to mostly work in illusion to make themselves "prettier" to humans, down to the food they eat but don't need.
5) Wicked Like Wildfire by Lana Popovic
Magic System: Seems rooted in witch covens, but from there branches out to "gifts." This family line are born with a "gift" from baking a treat and getting the consumer to see places as they eat the treat, to singing how people feel to bring out their emotion, and fracturing/blooming objects. This starts off simple and gets more complex as the story goes on, then continues to act as though it's still a "typical" witches coven from history.
I personally thought if I'd ever be a teacher it'd definitely be an art teacher. I even looked the part for a while while I was in college, at least my shoe sock combo did...
Otherwise if you've read these, what did you think of the magic systems? Do you have a book in mind that you really enjoy the magic system of?
Let me know!
Until next time
Litta
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