Ptolemy's Gate (Book 3 of the Bartimaeus Trilogy) by Jonathan Stroud, 2006

John Mandrake -- or should we call him Nathaniel? -- has grown in the ranks of power in magician-run London, and in popularity with the restless commoners, but he's more dependent than ever on Bartimaeus for demonic (and emotional) assistance. But a failed attempt to discover the identity of the magician fomenting rebellion leaves Mandrake and Bartimaeus vulnerable. Meanwhile, Kitty's been doing a little reading, and she and Bartimaeus have a few encounters of their own. Suspenseful, effecting a thorough transformation, with a staggering conclusion. Most strongly recommended, but read the entire series in order.

Reading Update

In January 2008 I graduated from the Vermont College MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults program, and took a bit of a reading vacation. I had a lot of writing commitments and deadlines, but more to the point, I needed a break. Since that time I've read the following books:

Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919, by Stephen Puleo. Adult nonfiction, recommended.
The Boston Italians, by Stephen Puleo. Adult nonfiction, recommended.
Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody book One), by Elizabeth Peters. Adult mystery/adventure. Good fun. Recommended.
The Golem's Eye (Book 2 of the Bartimaeus Trilogy) by Jonathan Stroud. YA fantasy / humor. Strongly recommended.

Summer's here, it's reading time. More posts and titles soon to follow!