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Negi Springfield's main dream in life is to become a wizard. He has taken the classes, he has mastered several spells, but to prove his true worthiness, he needs to become accepted as an official instructor at Mahora Academy, an all girl's school. The girls seem to finally be accepting their ten-year-old English teacher (both the subject he teaches and his homeland), but can he bring his class, who are notorious for only ever making last place in the exams, up to snuff before the final exams next Monday? If he doesn't -- if the girls finish last again -- he will no longer have a position at the academy, and all his hopes will be gone. The girls have also heard a rumor that the last place class will be broken up and forced to go back to elementary. They only have a few days, and they don't have much confidence in their chances so they decide to sneak into the huge library on library island and find a magical book rumored to make anyone who reads it a genius. They take Negi, who, unfortunately, to keep himself from using his magic to help, has placed a ban on spells for three days. The Baka Rangers and Negi will have to rely on the abilities they have to survive a slew of booby traps and other dangers.

First, I'll mention my problem with Negima! Magister Negi Magi, Vol. 2, because I think it's mostly probably a personal issue, but when I'd requested this book I'd remembered how charming I'd found it, and forgotten a lot of the sexual content. There is, for comedy's sake rather than prurient interest (mostly) a few sexual situations that a straight female 30-year-old has some troubles feeling altogether comfortable with the girls, all aged fifteen and sixteen, who take pretty much any excuse to get naked (though these are just curves of flesh, everything objectionable is hidden) and we see a lot of undies. Also, the idea of these girls going mad over Negi and seeing this ten-year-old as a sexual object borders on the uncomfortable. But, like I said, it's done for comedy. You'd have to judge for yourself what you think.

Now, having said as much in the last review, of Negima! Magister Negi Magi, Vol. 1, why did I request the second? Because the book is very charming. You care about these people. Negi and his eagerness to do the right thing, Asuna and her determination to protect Negi from others -- and himself. The personalities of these people are very diverse, and you feel for them. Ken Akamatsu has a talent for drawing that makes these people, even when they throw total fits, endearing and fun. And it is done in a fashion that's very cute, with some beautiful art.

This is a book worth looking through at the store. It has some very sweet moments, and good, strong characters, and you really do want to see everyone succeed, so you keep turning the pages.

Cindy Lynn Speer loves books so much that she's designed most of her life around them, both as a librarian and a writer. Her books aren't due out anywhere soon, but she's trying. You can find her site at www.apenandfire.com.