The only thing I can think of is Lloyd Alexander's Black Cauldron series, maybe?
amazedlife | Homepage | 07.10.09 - 12:53 am | #

I came across The Black Cauldron in my search, and at first I thought "That's it! I remember The Black Cauldron." But then I realized that I remembered it from the Disney cartoon made from the book. Nice guess, though!
zan | Homepage | 07.10.09 - 9:54 am | #

Is it the Magic Kingdom of Landover series by Terry Brooks? We sold a bunch of those at my mom's bookstore when I worked there in the early 90s, and they'd been out a few years then.
sarah | Homepage | 07.10.09 - 5:19 pm | #

Another great guess, but the Terry Brooks series looks too adult for what I'm remembering. (Keep them coming! I'm taking all guesses as recommendations.)
zan | Homepage | 07.12.09 - 11:31 pm | #

http://www.amazon.com/gp/ product...=cm_rdp_product

This Le Guin series came to mind and now I can't get it out. I'll keep looking.
James | 07.15.09 - 1:06 am | #

um, that was me commenting, not my husband (James)
Alyce not James | 07.15.09 - 1:07 am | #

Could it be the Witches, Wizards and Warlocks (Piccolo Books) series? I couldn't find a bookcover image, but I remember this same book.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product...&sr=1-6& seller=
nicolle | Homepage | 08.06.09 - 9:10 am | #

Nicolle - I'm afraid that's not it either; it seems to be more of an illustrated book. But thanks for guessing with me!

I've decided to write to my best friend from elementary school to see if she remembers. And does anyone know if you can request a history of all the books you ever checked out of the library? Is that legal? That would be an incredible way to jog my memory...
zan | Homepage | 08.24.09 - 3:38 pm | #