Nathaniel, a young magician's apprentice, becomes caught in a web of magical espionage, murder, and rebellion, after he summons the djinni Bartimaeus and instructs him to steal the Amulet of Samarkand from the powerful magician Simon Loveland.
Catherine begins a diary during her 14th year. Her diary is filled with pranks and gossip. Then her father tries to find a suitor for her. Her tricks scare off all but one, Shaggy Beard.
A rival puts Strega Nona out ot the healing business until Big Anthony's assistance inadvertently sabotages the newcomer in his usual well-meaning way.
After the death of the beloved aunt who has raised her, twelve-year-old Summer and her uncle Ob leave their West Virginia trailer in search of the strength to go on living.
Great-aunt Alice Rumphius resolved when young that she would someday travel to faraway places, live by the sea, and accomplish something to make the world more beautiful.
After narrowly escaping the menacing clutches of the dastardly Count Olaf, the three Baudelaire orphans are taken in by a kindly herpetologist with whom they live happily for an all-too-brief time.
