The Amulet of Samarkand
#1 of 3 in Bartimaeus Series
on Goodreads (131,999)
What’s inside...
The Amulet of Samarkand follows the story of a young and talented magician's apprentice, Nathaniel, who summons the 5,000-year-old djinni Bartimaeus to assist him in his ambitious quest for revenge against a ruthless magician, Simon Lovelace. The narrative is cleverly told from alternating perspectives, including the sharp-witted commentary of Bartimaeus. The story is set in an alternate London filled with magic, intrigue, and danger, where Nathaniel must navigate through to retrieve the powerful Amulet of Samarkand. When the 5,000-year-old djinni Bartimaeus is summoned by Nathaniel, a young magician’s apprentice, he expects to have to do nothing more taxing than a little levitation or a few simple illusions. But Nathaniel is a precocious talent and has something rather more dangerous in mind: revenge. Against his will, Bartimaeus is packed off to steal the powerful Amulet of Samarkand from Simon Lovelace, a master magician of unrivalled ruthlessness and ambition. Before long, both djinni and apprentice are caught up in a terrifying flood of magical intrigue, murder and rebellion.
Character compass
Nathaniel
Bartimaeus
Mrs. Underwood
Arthur Underwood
Simon Lovelace
Simkin
Jessica Whitwell
Faquarl
Stanley Hake
Kathleen "Kitty" Jones
Sholto Pinn
Rupert Devereaux
Martha Underwood
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Bartimaeus to work with Nathaniel? How do you think their relationship changed throughout the story?
Can you identify a moment in the story when Nathaniel had to make a tough decision? What would you have done in his place?
The book features themes of power and control. How do these themes affect the different characters, and what can we learn from their experiences?
What did you think about the magical elements in the story? How do they compare to other magical stories you know?
If you could have a magical amulet like the one in the book, what kind of power would you want it to have and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start conversations with a positive and open-ended question about the book to encourage critical thinking. Example: What was your favorite part of the book and why?
Connect the themes of the book to real-life situations, asking your child how they would react in similar scenarios to foster empathy and ethical reasoning.
Encourage your child to imagine alternate scenarios or endings to the book to boost their creativity and storytelling skills.
Discuss the character’s motivations and actions to help your child understand different perspectives and develop emotional intelligence.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: Throughout 'The Amulet of Samarkand,' the protagonist, Nathaniel, faces numerous challenges and obstacles but consistently shows determination and does not give up. His perseverance is crucial in overcoming difficulties and achieving his goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by staying committed to their tasks, whether in school or during extracurricular activities, understanding that persistence is key to success.
Example Lesson: Consequences of seeking power and revenge
Explanation: Nathaniel’s quest for power and revenge brings him into dangerous situations, showing that these desires can lead to negative outcomes and harm relationships.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to consider the repercussions of their actions and to resolve conflicts through communication and understanding, rather than through retaliation or power struggles.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship and trust
Explanation: The evolving relationship between Nathaniel and the djinni Bartimaeus highlights themes of loyalty, friendship, and mutual respect, despite their initial distrust and differences.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of building trust and cooperating with others, skills that are essential for forming healthy, supportive relationships.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and questioning authority
Explanation: Nathaniel often questions the motives and actions of the magicians in power, which encourages critical thinking and the evaluation of authority figures.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of questioning and critically assessing situations rather than accepting things at face value.