Lubar, David. Wizards of the game.

Penguin Putnam, Philomel. 176p. c2003. 0-399-23706-2. $16.99. J

"Shortly, if the ancient maps were correct, I'd face my sworn enemy...But first, I had to make it through the rest of my third-period geography class." Eighth-grader Mercer lives for the fantasy role-playing game Wizards of the Warrior World, and he convinces his classmates and teachers to help him organize a gaming convention at his middle school as a fund-raiser for a local shelter. One student objects, however, on religious grounds, concerned that the game world is "filled with demons and spirits." The local media picks up the issue, protesters picket, and the school authorities decide to back off from holding the convention, to Mercer's dismay. Meanwhile, he encounters some real if somewhat hapless wizards at the shelter, who believe him to be a powerful magus who can return them to their own world. When Mercer's friend Jenna casts a spell to help them, a portal opens and demons and spirits appear. In an exciting climax, Mercer and his friends must battle these all-too-real creatures.

Lubar, author of Dunk, Hidden Talents, and other novels for young readers, is also a designer and programmer of video games, and he conveys the lure of role-playing games well. The moral and religious issues raised are thought provoking, and the plot will keep readers turning the pages. There's humor here too, particularly in Mercer's wry narration and in the wizards' wacky rendering of the English language (e.g., "We are most mightily wizards ... Our power is awkward and trupendous."). A fun, quick read; a good choice for reluctant readers.