This book was very major when I was even younger, and it combined two genres I really loved - science fiction and fantasy. I especially loved it because it was about two awkward teenagers, outcasts, who grew into people who knew who they were.

It's an awesome book whether you like fantasy or science fiction since it manages to marry both in an awesome adventure story. Really cool characters and an amazing adventure. Beautifully written and the beginning of a great series of books still being written today.

I'm so glad this series has been re-issued! This is the first in the series. Writing comparable to L'Engle and a fascinating journey of young teens learning about and controlling magic.

This book was really good and a great way to introduce the story and its characters.

Nita just wanted a place to hide from the bullies who were chasing her. She ended up in the children's section of the library, a place she knew intimately. So when a new book (entitled So You Want to Be a Wizard) catches her eye, she takes it home. This book is a how to guide that leads Nita into a series of adventures with talking trees, sentient cars and dimensional travel. She also learns about confidence, strength and how to really deal with bullies. Written years before Harry Potter, is clearly an inspiration for Rowling like the works of LeGuin and others. Author Diane Duane has created a unique magic system that blends science and magic to the point that they believably coexist. An easy, quick read, this book owes far more to science fiction than high fantasy, as Duane actually tries to explain the science behind the magic. This edition also includes a Nita and Kit short story that explores time travel further.

I thought the first few books in this series were great, but there came a point where the new books were boring and repetitive, there wasn't really any new material.