My grandson, Abe, picked up “Bizard: The Bear Wizard” when he wanted something to read at my house. Actually, I had picked up a copy at ALA, the American Library Association conference, just the day before. He was entranced and literally didn’t put the book down until he had read the whole thing. Through dinner, through dessert, he kept reading. Then he begged to take it home with him. I said he had to help write the review first. Abe knows the rule: he doesn’t get the book until the review is done.

So in his words, here is why you should read and recommend this book.

Abe liked the book because it’s how a squirrel turns into a nut. In the beginning there is a bear. He is grumpy and lazy, and he only wants to sleep. Then, after a tornado, a wizard’s wand attaches to bear’s head. Now he can wish for things — he wishes for a pizza, and the pizza appears. Even with this power, the bear is still grumpy. But Abe pointed out that he is nice at the end, and he showed me the chapter titled “Bizard the Wish Giver.”

I asked him if Bear changes from the beginning of the book to the end, and Abe said yes. “Here’s how nice he is at the end,” he said, and he showed me where Bear refuses to slug Wolf, even though Wolf had stolen his magic and in Wolf’s reckless greed had destroyed the forest. Bear, with the help of his friends, gets the wand back and restores his own magic and restores the forest. Then Bear explains why he doesn’t want to slug Wolf, “Because I’m better than that. And because powerful wands should only be used for good. I want to be a responsible wand owner and help others, not hurt them.” Abe agreed that that’s probably the author’s message.

Abe’s final words, before asking again to take the book home, were “it’s really good.” High accolades, indeed. But the real demonstration of his admiration is the fact that he read it all in one sitting. He’s six. That’s a big deal.

This review is based on the advance reader’s copy provided by Margaret Ferguson Books (Holiday House) at ALA.