A Wizard of Earthsea

• Genre: Fiction; young adult fantasy
• Originally Published: 1968
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 1150L; grades 6-12
• Structure/Length: 10 chapters; approximately 183 pages; approximately 5 hours, 39 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The story follows Ged, a boy with innate magical abilities, who, in his pride, releases a shadow creature and must learn to confront and rectify his mistake. Set in the archipelago of Earthsea, the novel delves into Ged's journey to maturity and self-understanding while exploring themes of power, balance, and the cost of tampering with natural laws.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Depictions of magical combat; themes of fear and death; moments of danger and suspense

Ursula K. Le Guin, Author

• Bio: Born 1929; died 2018; renowned American author; known for her speculative fiction; often explored themes of society, culture, and gender in her work; named Grandmaster of Science Fiction and Fantasy; one of the few women recognized early in the field; her works continue to be highly influential in the genre
• Other Works: The Left Hand of Darkness (1969); The Tombs of Atuan (1971); The Farthest Shore (1972); The Dispossessed (1974); Tehanu (1990)
• Awards: The Boston Globe Book Award (1969); the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award (1979); the Golden Sepulka Award in Poland (1984)