Kay Weisman (Booklist, May 15, 1999 (Vol. 95, No. 18))
In the first volume of the Tartan Magic series, Yolen introduces the Dyer children--13-year-old twins Jennifer and Peter and their younger sister, Molly--who have come to Scotland with their parents to visit Mom's elderly cousins, Gran and Da. Strange and magical events begin happening almost as soon as they arrive. Jennifer discovers an old garden and gets caught in a thunderstorm that affects only that place; Peter finds an unusual card game that finishes itself when he steps away; and Molly unearths a map belonging to a thirteenth-century wizard, Michael Scot. After the evil sorcerer imprisons Molly and, later, most of the rest of the family, Jennifer must summon the help of some enchanted creatures and find her own magic to defeat Michael Scot and rescue her clan. Yolen's engaging fantasy is reminiscent of Susan Cooper's The Boggart (1993) in tone and style, though this is written for a slightly younger audience. The action never flags, making this a sure bet for fantasy and adventure fans. Category: Middle Readers. 1999, Harcourt, $15. Gr. 3-6.

Mary Sue Preissner (Children's Literature)
The five members of the Dyer family are spending their summer vacation visiting mom's relatives in Scotland. Approaching the ancestral Douglas home, a warm greeting is followed by many days of suspicious, unexplainable, and eerie events. The finding of a mysterious map in the attic one rainy day calls forth Michael Scot, a feared 700-year old wizard. Riddles, card games, enchantments, and the power of a pure heart are the keys to his defeat. 1999, Harcourt Brace & Co, $15.00. Ages 8 up.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 1999)
When rain keeps them indoors during their visit to Scottish relatives, twins Jennifer and Peter, along with their little sister, explore the attic and discover a magical map belonging to a wicked wizard. Plunged into danger, the twins must find a way to break the wizard's hold on their family. Although the story and characterizations are slight, the fantasy contains some unique elements that will interest readers. (Tartan Magic series). Category: Intermediate Fiction. 1999, Harcourt, 132pp, $15.00. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws.

Billy Jack Rankin (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 12, No. 1))
Jennifer and Peter, teenage twins, are visiting relatives in Scotland during the summer, along with Mom, Dad, and four-year-old sister Molly. Strange things begin to happen to everyone from the moment that they arrive. Gran and Da tell Jennifer that she possesses the art of magic as soon as they see her. Both Jennifer and Peter think that the old relatives are a little bit crazy. Then the twins get a challenge--to find a hidden room in the attic of the centuries old house that Gran and Da live in. They have never been able to find it but thought that the twins might be able to. The twins find many things in the attic. One of the most interesting is an old card game called Patience. Another is an ancient map. The map once belonged to the most wicked wizard in Scottish history, the bloody-minded Michael Scot. As the twins play the card game, the wizard is once again summoned and takes Molly. He demands the map in return because his fate is tied to the map. Jennifer must rely on three enchanted creatures and her own unknown power to defeat the evil wizard. This is another delightful novel by Jane Yolen that younger readers will really enjoy. It is not as good as the Young Merlin Trilogy but is entertaining reading. (Tartan Magic) Fiction. Grades 4-8. 1999, Harcourt Brace, 132p, $15.00. Ages 9 to 14.

Ann Bouricius (VOYA, December 1999 (Vol. 22, No. 5))
On a visit to Scotland, thirteen-year-old twins Jennifer and Peter find an unusual map. They learn it belongs to an evil wizard, Michael Scot, who needs it to take over the world. Scot kidnaps their younger sister to hold as ransom for the map. At first, Jennifer and Peter have the wisdom of elderly Gran and Da to help guide them and to explain the wickedness of the wizard, and to introduce them to the world of magic. But when Gran and Da disappear, along with Mom and Pop, Jennifer and Peter realize they alone must find the courage, strength, and wisdom to destroy the wizard's power. They must not only save their family, but save the world as well. Yolen has written an adequate fantasy where the world of magic is superimposed upon our own. The plot starts slowly, but picks up quickly. There is little sense of place or time, and the characters seem flat and uninspired. We are told what happens to the characters rather than being drawn into the story, consequently there is little reader involvement. Written on a low reading level, The Wizard's Map is not one of Yolen's best and is suited for the middle school audience. VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P M (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 1999, Harcourt Brace, 132p, $15 Trade pb. Ages 11 to 14.