I have included two brand new series as well as two that I have already blogged about, because they are the ones that have stuck with me. Ok authors, my fate is in your hands, so please try and be quick about it!
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Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Target: Grades 4-8
Series: This is the first book in a planned trilogy
What this book is about:
In the land of Carthya the king, queen and first son have been murdered. In an attempt to stop the country from civil war, a nobleman, Connor, rounds up orphans who resemble the second son, lost at sea four years earlier, to impersonate the only possible heir. Four boys are chosen and they must compete for the chance to take the place of the prince. If they are not chosen they will be killed. The story is told in Sage’s voice, one of the orphans.
In the land of Carthya the king, queen and first son have been murdered. In an attempt to stop the country from civil war, a nobleman, Connor, rounds up orphans who resemble the second son, lost at sea four years earlier, to impersonate the only possible heir. Four boys are chosen and they must compete for the chance to take the place of the prince. If they are not chosen they will be killed. The story is told in Sage’s voice, one of the orphans.
Why I love this book:
This book is fabulous!! First of all, Sage is just a wonderful character. He reminds me quite a bit of Hans Solo in Star Wars, brash, full of swagger, but also very self aware and charming. His voice is so fresh and fun that I would recommend the book on that alone....however, the story is equally good. I read ALOT and it is not often that I get surprised by a twist in a story, and this one just came out of no where, but it was perfect.
This book is fabulous!! First of all, Sage is just a wonderful character. He reminds me quite a bit of Hans Solo in Star Wars, brash, full of swagger, but also very self aware and charming. His voice is so fresh and fun that I would recommend the book on that alone....however, the story is equally good. I read ALOT and it is not often that I get surprised by a twist in a story, and this one just came out of no where, but it was perfect.
Who this book is for:
Great for all kids in the target, but I will say that it was fun to read a book with a great plot and great characters that had no magic, wizardry or spells. Not that I don’t like those things, but this was just good old fashioned story telling at its best.
Great for all kids in the target, but I will say that it was fun to read a book with a great plot and great characters that had no magic, wizardry or spells. Not that I don’t like those things, but this was just good old fashioned story telling at its best.
Final thoughts:
Loved that even though it is a trilogy, the ending was nicely satisfying.
Loved that even though it is a trilogy, the ending was nicely satisfying.
To purchase this book, please visit your local bookstore or click here to connect directly to Amazon: The False Prince: (Book 1 of the Ascendance Trilogy)
Title: Tuesdays at the Castle
Title: Tuesdays at the Castle
Author: Jessica Day George
Target: Grades 3-6
Series: This is the first book in a planned series
What this book is about:
Princess Celie lives with her family in an unusual castle. The castle itself is alive and can change surroundings, moves staircases, and eliminates rooms based on the behavior it wants of the inhabitants. Luckily the castle is wise, unluckily, there is a plot to take over the kingdom and Celie and her siblings will have to depend on the castle and each other to stop it.
Princess Celie lives with her family in an unusual castle. The castle itself is alive and can change surroundings, moves staircases, and eliminates rooms based on the behavior it wants of the inhabitants. Luckily the castle is wise, unluckily, there is a plot to take over the kingdom and Celie and her siblings will have to depend on the castle and each other to stop it.
Why I love this book:
This is with out a doubt one of my favorite new series of the year. Charming is the best word I have to describe it. Having a castle as a character took the story in a whole new direction, and the author did a wonderful job of creating interesting personalities and keeping the suspense up. I had a hard time putting this book down!
This is with out a doubt one of my favorite new series of the year. Charming is the best word I have to describe it. Having a castle as a character took the story in a whole new direction, and the author did a wonderful job of creating interesting personalities and keeping the suspense up. I had a hard time putting this book down!
Who this book is for:
Girls who love a great adventure!
Girls who love a great adventure!
Final thoughts:
I can’t wait for the next book in the series to delve into the magic surrounding the castle and the children!
I can’t wait for the next book in the series to delve into the magic surrounding the castle and the children!
To purchase this book, please visit your local bookstore or click here to connect directly to Amazon: Tuesdays at the Castle
Title: The Unwanteds
To purchase this book, please visit your local bookstore or click here to connect directly to Amazon:
Title: The Unwanteds
Author: Lisa McMann
Target: Grades 4-8
Series: This is the first book in a planned trilogy.
What this book is about:
In the land of Quill you are a Wanted (great), Necessary (ok) or Unwanted (yikes). We start the story off with twins, Aaron and Alex, one is Wanted, the other Unwanted. Unwanteds are sent to the death farm were the inevitable is supposed to occur. However, much to the surprise of the Unwanteds, the death farm is actually a mirage for the magical kingdom of Artime, where those in the creative arts can flourish and learn magic. However, Artime cannot remain hidden from Quill forever, so a showdown is inevitable, pitting brother against brother.
In the land of Quill you are a Wanted (great), Necessary (ok) or Unwanted (yikes). We start the story off with twins, Aaron and Alex, one is Wanted, the other Unwanted. Unwanteds are sent to the death farm were the inevitable is supposed to occur. However, much to the surprise of the Unwanteds, the death farm is actually a mirage for the magical kingdom of Artime, where those in the creative arts can flourish and learn magic. However, Artime cannot remain hidden from Quill forever, so a showdown is inevitable, pitting brother against brother.
Why I love this book:
Let me start off by saying the cover calls this book the Hunger Games meets Harry Potter and on some level this is true. However, I can say without a doubt that this book is not a good as either book, let alone a combo. The characters are simple, the plot straightforward and the action predictable. So why am I recommending it? Because it is ideal for an elementary/middle school child. I will say that it is easy to get caught up in this interesting story and frankly the premise is extremely creative. The fact that it is written for it’s audience and not a higher level means that a 9 - 12 year old will be thoroughly engaged and the content is appropriate for them!
Let me start off by saying the cover calls this book the Hunger Games meets Harry Potter and on some level this is true. However, I can say without a doubt that this book is not a good as either book, let alone a combo. The characters are simple, the plot straightforward and the action predictable. So why am I recommending it? Because it is ideal for an elementary/middle school child. I will say that it is easy to get caught up in this interesting story and frankly the premise is extremely creative. The fact that it is written for it’s audience and not a higher level means that a 9 - 12 year old will be thoroughly engaged and the content is appropriate for them!
Who this book is for:
Kids who loved Harry Potter and Hunger Games will enjoy this book. My son read it in two days straight!
Kids who loved Harry Potter and Hunger Games will enjoy this book. My son read it in two days straight!
Final thoughts:
A highly imaginative book!
A highly imaginative book!
To purchase this book, please visit your local bookstore or click here to connect directly to Amazon:
Title: The Emerald Atlas
Author: John Stephens
Target: Grades 4-8
Series: First book in a planned trilogy
What this book is about:
Three children are separated from their parents and sent to a series of orphanages because (unbeknownst to them) they are destined to fulfill a prophecy and evil is trying to find them. However, as all good stories go, the last orphanage takes them directly to their destiny as they find a mysterious book which allows them to travel through time and discover magical and mysterious worlds. They must fight against the forces who are trying to use this book for evil and learn their destiny and the power of family.
Three children are separated from their parents and sent to a series of orphanages because (unbeknownst to them) they are destined to fulfill a prophecy and evil is trying to find them. However, as all good stories go, the last orphanage takes them directly to their destiny as they find a mysterious book which allows them to travel through time and discover magical and mysterious worlds. They must fight against the forces who are trying to use this book for evil and learn their destiny and the power of family.
Why I love this book:
Imagine the Golden Compass, Harry Potter and the Tales of Narnia all mixed up in a bag and that would be the influence for this book. At times I felt like the material was not original enough, but that said, the story was engaging and I was caught up in the characters.
Imagine the Golden Compass, Harry Potter and the Tales of Narnia all mixed up in a bag and that would be the influence for this book. At times I felt like the material was not original enough, but that said, the story was engaging and I was caught up in the characters.
This book is the first in a planned series of three books and the action keeps it moving at a good pace. The time travel was confusing for me (and I like to think I can manage your basic single mutable time stream theory) so I imagine that unless your kids are especially brilliant or on the older end of the target audience, they will simply gloss over the nuances of time travel in the story.
Who this book is for:
Kids who like an adventure, this story is action packed!
Kids who like an adventure, this story is action packed!
Final thoughts:
Interestingly the author also wrote for the Gillmore Girls (a favorite series of mine), however, while the characters are well developed, they do lack the quirky charm I was expecting!
Interestingly the author also wrote for the Gillmore Girls (a favorite series of mine), however, while the characters are well developed, they do lack the quirky charm I was expecting!
To purchase this book, please visit your local bookstore or click here to connect directly to Amazon:
The Emerald Atlas (Books of Beginning)
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