The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1) by Jonathan Stroud

Stroud, Jonathan. (2004) The Amulet of Samarkand. NY: Hyperion.
ISBN: 978-0786852550
Awards: Texas Lone Star Book (2005-2006)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2004)
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award (Children's Literature, 2006)
1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up (2009, Ages 12↑)
ALA Notable Children's Book (2004)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Survival, Independence, Power & Trust
Genre: Fantasy
Annotation: In a world where magicians rule the government, Nathaniel was taken from his family and apprenticed to a cold and condescending master. At ten years old, Nathaniel is humiliated and then betrayed by his master. Vowing revenge, he summons a djinne much too powerful for him to control.
Summary: The Amulet of Samarkand, Book One in the Bartimaeus trilogy, is the story of Nathaniel, an eleven year old apprentice to a magician. When he is humiliated by power hungry Simon Lovelace, Nathaniel takes it upon himself to learn how to summon a djinni, a spell usually reserved for powerful wizards. The djinni Nathaniel summons is Bartimaeus, an old and very powerful djin. Unfortunately for Nathaniel, Bartimaeus is not pleased with the arrangement and does everything in his power to do away with his human master. With this in the mix, Nathaniel orders Bartimaeus to steal the rare and powerful Amulet of Samarkand from his secret nemesis, Lovelace. The theft, while successful, reveals a dark mystery filled with rebellion, murder, magic, and stolen power.
Evaluation: I read this on a recommendation and am very glad I did. Nathaniel's egotistical personality is strange to see in a main character, but adds to the plot in a necesary way. The relationship between Nathaniel and Bartimaeus develops authentically as they struggle for the upper hand and finally settle on a kind of friendship.