A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin was first published in the UK in 1971 and has been considered a classic of children's fantasy ever since. It follows the story of Ged, a poor smith’s son, who discovers a magical talent and is sent away from home to a wizard school. During a duel with a fellow student, he summons a terrible shadow creature which he tries to banish, but it continues to haunt him long after he finishes his magical training. Finally he seeks advice from his old master Ogion, who tells him to confront the creature rather than flee it – that fears and shadows are to be faced, and that darkness is as much a part of us as the light.