Gentleman - I have been asked by a young man for some material he should pick up. He's only 11, and I hesitate to send him to Giobbi's Card College. He wants to do close up, and work with cards and what not, and while I WILL have him pick it up at some point, I don't know that I should reccomend this as his first piece of REAL material. Do you have any reccomendations for other books or video's for someone his age. I'd like something that will require him to work at it but will also not kill his interest.

How about a book of self working, or nearly self working card tricks. I think there are many out there.

I'd just look at Barnes and Noble. Karl Fulves self working stuff and Mark Wilsons complete course in magic books are available there. Or even the library.

Thanks guys - I know what your saying here. I was looking to know if any of you KNOW specific books or vids. Things you own or have used to give to a youngun to learn. Something you've had personal experience with.

I can google search some material for adolescents but I won't know if it's garbage or not.

I gave a copy of 101 tricks with everyday objects to an 11 year old pupil and he was fine with it.

Mescalito

"Royal Road to Card Magic" is a must in my opinion... for someone who is starting out.

"Royal Road," absolutely, but let him try something simpler first. Larry West got dozens of effects out of a single simple card switch (I've forgotten exactly which switch, but it was so simple even I could do it) - an 11-yr-old should be well able to do some of those.

Royal road is too cumbersome a first book for an 11 year old in my opinion. I think it'd scare him off more than anything. Hrmmm....

How about talking to him about your experience and how you got started? Experience is the best teacher. Everybody these days is looking for the instant fix or answer. Start out slowly and learn. The searching process is half the reward. Why just give it away. No respect. If you have to struggle then it will mean more, if you just hand it to the person chances are they will not appreciate the offer and wind up just passing over the treasure you handed them...

When you do a free show people don't care. If you charge through the roof, then they will pay attention.

Karl Fulves self working card tricks
Karl Fulves More self working card tricks
Karl Fulves Self working close up magic
Max 20 dollars for all three
Later add the rest of the series.

"Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic", or if you can find a copy, Bill Tarr's, "Now You See it, Now You Don't".

I was 11 when I started out and these two were my first books. They we're great and encouraged me to keep on going. After owning these for around 6 months I bought "Expert card technique" and that got my love for cards going.

Loraynes "Magic Book".

Good one, Jaz!

Bruce Elliott's, "Classic Secrets of Magic"

Patrick Page's, "Big Book of Magic"

Henry Hay's, "Amateur Magicians' Handbook".