The Wizard of Earthsea Ursula LeGuin

This is the story of a young boy who discovers he has an extraordinary ability. He is a very powerful magic-y person. His aunt is the town witch and she tries to bind him to her. He laughs at her.
He later apprentices to one of the most powerful Mages in his world. Inadvertently, while flirting with a beautiful young girl he allows himself to be tempted to summon something he shouldn't. This lands him being sent away to a wizard academy type place.
While there he tames the cutest little critter. Who later dies, sadly. I'm sure hoping in book two he gets a second one.
He also causes the death of the Archmage. Accidentally after conjuring a shadow from another existence. The shadow of his death.
It follows him from the age of around seven to the age of 18 or 19. It's a very good story and there are two more that I cannot wait to get my hands on! And one is currently waiting for me at the library!