Gr 6 Up -The loquacious djinni introduced in Amulet of Samarkand (2003) and Golem's Eye (2004, both Hyperion/Miramax) is back, or, more accurately, he hasn't left in three years. While Bartimaeus retains all of his wit and wisdom, his essence suffers severely from lack of rest. Nathaniel, now Information Minister, spends his time writing propaganda to bolster the common folks' belief that England is winning its foreign wars and tracking down traitors within the government. Kitty Jones has gone into hiding, apprenticing herself to a magician and learning enough from her master and through research to summon Bartimaeus herself. When Nathaniel finds Kitty, the two of them and the djinni must use all their strength and cunning to defeat the most dangerous demons they have yet encountered, demons that take over the bodies of the government magicians. Ptolemy's Gate is an exciting and eminently satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, footnotes and all. This time, readers learn more about Bartimaeus's past and his connection to the loinclothed boy whose likeness he wears. Kitty's strength and intelligence shine through, and Nathaniel's inherent compassion emerges from the mask of John Mandrake. This is a must-have for libraries that purchased the first two books. For those that didn't, buy all three at once for readers who want something that is literate, entertaining, and exciting.-Lisa Prolman, Greenfield Public Library, MA