The Magician's Nephew

Published in 1955, the prequel The Magician's Nephew' brings the reader back to the very beginning of Narnia where we learn how Aslan created the world and how evil first entered it. Many mysteries of Narnia are revealed as another group of children stumble into Narnia via an entirely different route.

Arc Advancement
A crucial book in terms of Narnian history, of course, as all of Narnia is created in this book. The reader is also introduced to young Digory and the witch Jadis, both of which will prove to be important characters in other books.

Controversy
In the 1990s, book publishers started putting this one first in sequence, since it's the first story to happen chronologically. However, many fans disagree with this numbering, arguing that readers should start instead with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (the first published book), since many surprises are revealed in Magician's that would later pay off in Lion.

The Story
The story starts when young Digory,who with his sick mother lived in the house of his aunt and mysterious uncle, because his father was off in India. When Digory looked over the wall to see a girl named Polly. The girl was surprised to see another child, because she thought that there were no children living in the house at the time. After meeting each other and becoming acquaintances they became friends and met each other every day. On a wet and cold summer day they decided to explore secret tunnels that connected all the houses. After being persuaded to enter the door of Digory's house, Digory hesitantly opened the door making little sound. After a few moments they are surprised to be greeted by a very mysterious Uncle Andrew who asks them to do an experiment of his involving green and yellow rings. After being tricked into wearing a mysterious yellow ring ring Polly disappears. Furious Digory angrily gets persuaded into saving Polly this time he puts two green rings in his pocket and puts the yellow ring on. He finds himself in water to find that he isn't gasping for air and is pushed put of the water almost immediately. Finding Polly Digory wants to go home almost immediately, when Polly insists on exploring. They jump into another pool where they see a deserted castle. After exploring they find a bell and a bunch of very tall human-like statues. They ring the bell and only one woman came to life wondering who broke the spell. The palace starts to collapse they start to run; and when Digory tried to go back Queen Jadis, who was the giant woman, grabs onto his leg gets transported too. When they wanted to go back Jadis insisted that they take her with them. While she inhabits England she causes lots of turmoil while treating strangers like subjects. While thinking up a plan Digory decides to trap Jadis into going back in all of the confusion of Jadis outrage Digory rushes to get Jadis back. After grabbing a hold of her ankle he transports her, Polly, and Digory back to the Eternal pools. After being transported to another world they see a lion that was pacing to and fro. Jadis tried attacking the lion and in an attempt ends up running off. While watching the lions magical doings a bunch of animals come up and begin to talk. After that the Lion said quote, "I give to you forever this land of Narnia." After Digory gets a fruit that is said to heal his mother he rides to it on Fledge and when they come back the leftover from the fruit is planted. On a windy day the tree gets knocked down and is built into a wardrobe. This is the titular wardrobe in ''The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.