The Wizard's Dilemma facts for kids
Cover art for The Wizard's Dilemma
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| Author | Diane Duane |
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| Cover artist | Cliff Nielsen |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Young Wizards |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Harcourt Trade Publishers |
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Publication date
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2001 |
| Media type | Print (mass market paperback) |
| Pages | 432 pp |
| ISBN | 0-15-202460-3 |
| OCLC | 50408204 |
| LC Class | PZ7.D84915 Wk 2001 |
| Preceded by | A Wizard Abroad |
| Followed by | A Wizard Alone |
The Wizard's Dilemma is the fifth book in the exciting Young Wizards series by Diane Duane. It continues the adventures from A Wizard Abroad. This book explores tough choices and the power of love in a magical world.
Contents
What Happens in the Story
A Big Argument and a Sad Secret
The story begins with a disagreement between Nita and Kit. They are both young wizards, but they can't agree on how to fix pollution in a place called Jones Inlet. This argument makes Nita decide to work on her own for a while.
Soon after, Nita's mom gets very sick. She has a serious problem in her brain and needs to go to the hospital. This is a very worrying time for Nita and her family.
Magical Discoveries and New Powers
While Nita is dealing with her mom's illness, Kit makes an amazing discovery. His dog, Ponch, has a secret magical ability! Ponch can create entire universes out of nothing. This opens up many new possibilities for Kit to explore.
Nita, meanwhile, starts to practice with something called "kernels." Think of kernels as magical computer programs. They describe and control the world around them. Nita hopes to use these kernels to help save her mother's life.
A Dangerous Alliance
During her practice, Nita meets another wizard named Pralaya. Pralaya seems like someone who could help Nita save her mom. However, Nita soon learns something concerning. Pralaya might be influenced by the Lone Power, a very dangerous force in their world.
Working with Pralaya could be risky. Nita talks to Kit about her worries. Kit decides to put their earlier argument aside and help Nita face this challenge together.
Inside the Body and a Brave Choice
When Nita's mom is having surgery, Nita and Pralaya use magic to enter her body. Their goal is to find the "kernel" that controls the illness and remove it. Kit is left behind, but he finds a way to join them. Using the universes Ponch creates, Kit also enters Mrs. Callahan's body.
Inside, Kit helps Nita stop a dangerous deal she was about to make with the Lone Power. This deal would have saved her mom, but it came with a terrible price. Even with their combined efforts, they can't completely get rid of the illness.
As the Lone Power thinks it has won, Nita's mom does something incredible. She takes control of the kernel herself and defeats the Lone Power! She then makes a very brave and loving choice. She realizes that if she completely cured herself, she might become obsessed with just living longer, losing sight of what truly matters. Instead, she chooses to live out the rest of her life filled with love for her family and friends.
