Ranvan: Magic Nation

Children's Literature - Catherine Petrini

Rhan Van has always loved the world of fantasy--the Magic Nation, his childhood corruption of the term "imagination." Now Rhan, at age 18, is on his own. He still believes in the Magic Nation, where he can do and be anything he wants. But few people know he has real powers. In two earlier books -- as RanVan, a knight for the Universe -- Rhan developed supernatural abilities for rescuing people from danger. In this final book of the trilogy, he embarks on his most dangerous adventure yet: real life. Now a college broadcasting student, he discovers his true calling: operating a television news camera. But the adult world is complicated. Schoolwork overwhelms him; he's confused about his feelings for a student named Jen and a skinhead group that wages a campaign of bigotry. To find his way, even a knight of the Universe must rely on ordinary hard work, resourcefulness, and trust in himself and his new friends. Rhan faces some tough dilemmas in journalistic ethics, and author Diana Wieler provides no pat answers. Through it all, Rhan learns that the Magic Nation is all around him. The compelling prose; contemporary themes; and gritty, realistic portrayals will keep teens hooked.