Empowering Bright & Gifted Children

 

Author: Angie Sage
Illustrator: Mark Zug

Interest Level: Middle Grades (4-8)
ATOS Reading Level: 5.8-6.5
AR Points: 16.0-18.0 each
Publisher Recommended Age: 9+
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Book Type: 4 Book Set includes 3 paperback and 1 hardcover book

 

 

This series follows the adventures and story of the protagonist Septimus Heap, who, as a seventh son of the seventh son, has powerful magical capability. After he secures his apprenticeship with the arch wizard of the books, called the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, he must study for seven years and one day before he is qualified to take over. Along with him is an equally important character - Jenna, who is the princess of the castle in which they live. Together with his brothers and a large assortment of other characters, they must overcome the trials and tribulations that they encounter as they grow up.

 

Septimus Heap is geared towards children 12 years and above. With its characters, action and humour it has become a hit, selling in 28 languages worldwide and over 1 million copies throughout the States since its first publish in March 2005.

 

 

 

The plot revolves around the pauper-like Heap family. The parents, Silas and Sarah, have seven children. Simon is the eldest son, whose ambition is to be the ExtraOrdinary wizard. The other Heap children (from eldest to youngest) are Simon, Sam, twins Erik and Edd, Jo-Jo, Nicko, and Jenna,(who is actually the daughter of the queen), whom Silas Heap found in the snow on the day that the youngest, Septimus, was born and supposedly died.

 

When Jenna finds out on her tenth birthday a secret, from ExtraOrdinary wizard Marcia Overstrand herself, she realises that she - and the Heap family - are in danger. As they try to avoid it they meet a boy only known as Boy 412, and a story unfolds...

 

School Library Journal: "A wide cast of characters battle the forces of Darke Magyk in a well-realized world of fantasy." Grades 4-8.

 

Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review): "Heads up, Harry, there's a new young wizard on his way up. A quick-reading, stand-alone, deliciously spellbinding series opener."

 

 

A year after the events in Magyk, Simon Heap returns home from a place unknown to others. His plan to kidnap Jenna soons goes awry. Meanwhile, Septimus Heap must try to find Jenna and stop Simon from taking her again. With the help of his brothers, the Wendron Witches and a strange boy his brothers befriended and call 'Wolf Boy' he sets out to stop them, and gains a few bizarre experiences and friends on the way. A new character named Spit Fyre, who is Septimus's baby dragon, is introduced. 

 

School Library Journal: "Those who have been waiting for Flyte to see Septimus Heap grow into his role as Apprentice will not be disappointed and are likely to return for more." Grades 4-8.

 

VOYA (Starred Review): "With its quick pace, humor, and clever cast of characters, (Flyte) is terrifically entertaining. Fans of the first book will be delighted with this sequel to Spetimus's story."

 

 

Physik starts off with Silas Heap and Gringe the Gatekeeper unSealing a room and unleashing the evil spirit of a 500 year old queen. A new character, Snorri Snorrelsson, a Northern Trader, is introduced early in the novel but does not become central to the plot until later in the book. The evil queen, Etheldredda, was Sealed in a portrait, but now that she is free she has a plot...involving Septimus Heap, Jenna and her 500-year-old son Marcellus Pye. Once she traps Septimus Heap in the past, the others must try and figure out a way to get Septimus Heap back before they never see him grow up in his own time.

 

School Library Journal: "Fans of the series will enjoy the secrets that are revealed as Physik delves deeper into the labyrinthine palace walls and will eagerly await the next installment." Grades 4-10.

 

Publishers Weekly: "Physik is a fitting title for an adventure in which the hero travels back in time to serve as apprentice for an alchemist. How he gets there is nearly as interesting as the mission itself."

 

 

In the fourth book, Septimus goes on a perilous quest to the House of Foryx to find Nicko and Snorri, who have been trapped back in time. Everyone at the Castle is slowly beginning to realize that their chances of coming back are slim. Septimus, aided by ancient alchemist Marcellus Pye, learns of a place where all time meets: the House of Foryx. Jenna and Septimus find Nicko's notes from the past and discover that he knows of the House of Foryx as well and has been creating a map to plot the house's hidden location.

 

With the help of the Questing Stone and Nicko's faded maps, will Septimus be able to find the House of Foryx, and save Nicko and Snorri? Meanwhile, Simon Heap has taken on Merrin Meredith, former apprentice to DomDaniel, as his own apprentice, giving Merrin an opportunity he has been waiting years for. With the help of a frightening creature called a Thing, Merrin plans to reclaim the identity he used to have - that of Septimus Heap.

 

ALA Booklist: "(Readers) will lose themselves happily in Sage's fluent, charismatic storytelling, which enfolds supportive allies and horrific enemies, abundant quirky details, and poignant moments of self-discovery."

 

Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review): "Sage creates a vividly realized world in which pens and rocks can display minds of their own. Spellbinding."

 

VOYA (Starred Review): "Readers will be indubitably hooked - worrying, laughing, and gasping over the nonstop adventures of this engaging troupe."

 

 

Angie Sage grew up in Thames Valley, London and Kent. Her father was a publisher. He would bring home blank books that she could fill with pictures and stories. Sage first studied medicine, but changed her mind and went to Art School in Leicester. There she studied Graphic Design and Illustration. She began illustrating books after college. Then she progressed to writing children stories, including toddler books and chapter books. Her first novel was Septimus Heap: Magyk. Angie Sage is married and has two daughters, Laurie and Lois.