A series that may remind you of Harry Potter? It's a seven book series, written by a British author and published in the aughts like the last 4 books A series that may remind you of Harry Potter? It's a seven book series, written by a British author and published in the aughts like the last 4 books of the Harry Potter series. Septimus Heap, the seventh son of a seventh son and destined for greatness as a wizard, disappears as a babe. Instead Jenna, a baby girl with a destiny(view spoiler)[ to become queen (hide spoiler)] becomes the seventh child of the Heaps. What happens when Jenna learns her fate? What happened to Septimus and who is he? Readers will likely know his identify long before it is revealed in the story. And will the good magyk or dark magyk prevail in this book in which print copies show a different font and spelling of words each time a spell is used? Give this to those who love magical worlds with lots of characters, wizards (both good and evil) and young people who discover their powers....more
12/13/22 This was a reread for a tween/teen book club. See the original review for more thoughts on the story. Family loyalty vs following one's desire12/13/22 This was a reread for a tween/teen book club. See the original review for more thoughts on the story. Family loyalty vs following one's desires. Clementine is torn between following her own dreams and living up to her family's expectations as she works to save her father from the whittle witch. In addition, Sebastien, Darka and David (aka Dave) have their own personal dilemmas and similar decisions to make. 7/13/22 A fun book. Clementine's father, The Dark Lord is dying. If he dies, does Clementine have what it takes as heir to be the Dark Lady? Can a future Dark Lady be friends with the villagers? What if you don't want to follow in your family's footsteps? This is a book about finding your destiny and discovering who you are in times of trouble. Tweens and teens who enjoyed Max and the Midknights when they were younger will like this story that takes place during a similar time period and also includes multiple characters. Or if you know a reader who enjoyed this, give them The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, the Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz to try. ...more
A strong 4⭐s both times I read it, here are two reviews for this one as I have read it twice and had slightly different thoughts on it each time. 7/20A strong 4⭐s both times I read it, here are two reviews for this one as I have read it twice and had slightly different thoughts on it each time. 7/20/23 Which of the following are true? 1/4/24 I just love it! How could I not love that happy ending? "Light shines on the worthy. All others fall into darkness. Tell me child, do you wan me to remain in the darkness forever?" "The law is light, and the light shines on the worthy." "Well sometimes light shines on the worthy ones. But sometimes it just shines on the lucky ones." "The law is the light that shines on the worthy and punishes the wicked." "The law is the light. Don't we all have to follow it?" "You can't run away from darkness. The only way to see through it is to shine a light." "The law is the light, and the light shines on the worthy." Find out in this story about goodness (generous hearts) and forgiveness. 12/18/21 "What kind of future can you have in society whose motto is, "The law is the light, and the light shines on the worthy"? Find out in this story story about three young teens, Pong, Nok, and Somkit growing up in Chattana, a futuristic place. Two are orphans and one is the daughter of a prominent member of society. What happens where their worlds converge? (view spoiler)[Together they're going to overthrow the governor. (hide spoiler)] A 2021 Newbery Honor, give this one to fans of science fiction and/or fantasy stories....more
1/27/22 Now that I reread this, I really want to read Pretties and complete this trilogy/series in 2022. 7/29/21 Book 1 in a trilogy that is meant to b1/27/22 Now that I reread this, I really want to read Pretties and complete this trilogy/series in 2022. 7/29/21 Book 1 in a trilogy that is meant to be read in order. Originally published in 2005, I can still remember how popular it was at the time. When Tally turns 16, she will become a pretty. Life will be good; she'll be beautiful and there will be parties and fun all the time. Shortly before her birthday, she meets Shay who does not want to become a pretty and runs away. In a turn of events, Tally tracks Shay down and meets the Smokies. Where do Tally's loyalties lie? With her society in which she becomes a pretty or with the Smokies, a splinter group? Written before The Hunger Games, give this one to dystopia fans looking for more. Or for those who are looking for books to discuss solutions for global ills; pollution, poverty, disease, and war. ...more
3/20/22 It was so much fun to read this a second time and revisit the magical world of the Lost Cities!! I would easily give it 3.75 stars and look fo3/20/22 It was so much fun to read this a second time and revisit the magical world of the Lost Cities!! I would easily give it 3.75 stars and look forward to reading the next book, Exile in the series sometime this year. 7/16/21 Harry Potter with a female. Sophie learns about her magic talents when she is whisked away from the only family she has ever known to a whole new life. To learn more about the similarities between Harry and Sophie checkout this review by Ashi. If you read and loved the Harry Potter series, this is for you....more
4/26/22 If you have read this book, I am curious; what genre do you think best describes it? 3/24/22 What a wild ride! You'll keep turning the pages t4/26/22 If you have read this book, I am curious; what genre do you think best describes it? 3/24/22 What a wild ride! You'll keep turning the pages to find out what happened to Charlie's brother Liam and why Charlie keeps having dreams about a family from 1800s Ireland. As enjoyable the second time as it was the first time. ...more
What if what you think your goal is turns out not be your goal? That's the premise in this story about Poison who is searching for her kidnapped sisteWhat if what you think your goal is turns out not be your goal? That's the premise in this story about Poison who is searching for her kidnapped sister, Azalea. Fans of fairy tales and epic quests who are looking for standalone titles will want to give this one a try. Well done, Chris Wooding. That ending was perfect!...more
A science fiction classic, Ender lives in an American society where children are recruited to be trained to fight our enemies in wars. (view spoiler)[A science fiction classic, Ender lives in an American society where children are recruited to be trained to fight our enemies in wars. (view spoiler)[Ender is six years-old when he is recruited. A few short years later, he and his classmtes defeat the buggers (an alien society). Ender loses it and cries out, “I didn't want to kill them all. I didn't want to kill anybody! . . . but you made me do it, you tricked me into it!” Find out how an innocent child kills an entire species in this story about a society in which children are used as pawns. (hide spoiler)]...more
March 2021 A future classic? Like the Bog and Glerk, this story may be ageless. December 2020 Third time is a charm. I reread this and loved it! I haveMarch 2021 A future classic? Like the Bog and Glerk, this story may be ageless. December 2020 Third time is a charm. I reread this and loved it! I have raised my review from 4 stars to 5 stars. Read to the end for my update on 12/17/20. 2/19/17 Witches (both good and evil), paper birds, dragons, a swamp monster and more. Sorrow and love. Loss and redemption. Misunderstanding and forgivenesss. This is the story of Luna, a young witch (except she does not realize that she is a witch) and those she loves and those she will come to love. A fantasy book with big ideas and lots of heart. 12/17/20 The story of the first 12 or so years of young Luna's life. She's being raised by Xan, a woman she calls grandmother and Glerk & Fyrian, a couple of dragons who have lived with Xan for what seems like forever. Why is Luna being raised by Xan? What happened to her real mother? Secrets are hidden and lies are told to protect her. But at what cost? How will Luna ever learn the truth? Give this one to your tweens and teens who love fantasy. This one will not disappoint....more
2/18/23 The story of how youth can inspire the adults around them. You're never too young to stand up for what you believe in. 7/23/16 In 1940, Denmar2/18/23 The story of how youth can inspire the adults around them. You're never too young to stand up for what you believe in. 7/23/16 In 1940, Denmark's prime minister and king agreed to allow Germany to take control of their country as a way to protect their citizens from a worse disaster. Not everyone felt this way. Inspired by the Norwegians, this is the story of a group of teenage boys who started a resistance movement against the Germans. A movement that will eventually wake up and inspire the adults in their country to fight back. Those looking for action packed nonfiction and stories about war will enjoy this one....more
1/5/25 I reread the review below and am updating the first two sentences: For anyone who likes a happy ending that leaves you a little teary-eyed, thi1/5/25 I reread the review below and am updating the first two sentences: For anyone who likes a happy ending that leaves you a little teary-eyed, this story of Ada, her young brother Jamie, their Mam, and Susan the woman who takes them in (when children are evacuated from the city to the countryside during World War II) is wonderful. 2/12/15 Not sure if the ending was perfect or wrapped up the plot too nicely. There's a lot to love in this story about Ada and her younger brother Jamie who escape their abusive mother when children are evacuated from London during World War II. I enjoyed seeing the children's world, point of view and confidence grow the longer they are with their new guardian Susan and away from London. Plus, it's a bonus that Susan has some of her own issues. She makes mistakes too, as she experiences late in life parenthood/guardianship for the first time....more
May 2021 Reread for a middle school book club. The best part - hearing skeptical tweens and teens say they are enjoying the book. I also realize it's May 2021 Reread for a middle school book club. The best part - hearing skeptical tweens and teens say they are enjoying the book. I also realize it's time for me to read the newer titles; A Map of Days, The Conference of the Birds and the recently published The Desolations of Devil's Acre. September 2015 Fantastic! Ransom Riggs creates a magical and marvelous alternative world for the peculiar children that Jacob's recently deceased grandfather grew up with. The peculiar children may look evil to you, yet it turns out that they are simply children with unusual gifts and talents. The real evil lurks nearby and is a sinister threat to the children's very existence. Book 1 in the Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children trilogy....more
10/29/22 I was rereading this for a tween/teen book club. I am curious to hear their thoughts and to ask them how well this one has stood the test of 10/29/22 I was rereading this for a tween/teen book club. I am curious to hear their thoughts and to ask them how well this one has stood the test of time. So much has changed in the twelve years since this was first published. 4/6/13 Wow, this book's ending packs a wallop! I didn't see it coming. This incredible story is told from Melody's point of view; Melody is a 5th grader with cerebral palsy who has been in a special needs classroom her whole life until now. What's it like to be mainstreamed for classes? What happens when Melody finally get the technology that allows her to communicate with her classmates and family?...more
November 2020 - Excited to be reading this for a third time for a tween/teen book club!! Read to the end for my updated review on 12/17/20. What if yoNovember 2020 - Excited to be reading this for a third time for a tween/teen book club!! Read to the end for my updated review on 12/17/20. What if you were a clone? Are you a human? Are you an animal? Do you even have a soul? All these questions and many more are asked by our protagonist Matteo Alacran aka Matt in this story set in what might be the not-so-distant future. Matt is the clone of the original Matteo Alcaran aka El Patron who is almost 150 years old. This is the story of Matt's sheltered yet privileged youth as a member of the powerful Alcaran family. This is fiction at its best; a cast of many, adventure, romance and betrayal, this coming of age story has it all. As I came to the conclusion of this story, I was left with two questions: 1) Why hasn't this book been made into a movie? 2) is there a sequel*? Why not? This book was published over 10 years ago. This book is deserving of one. I want to read more about what happens next to Matt. *Good news - A sequel is expected later this year! 12/17/20 This one never disappoints. Imho, it is destined to become a classic....more
What happens when Earthlings colonize Mars? This collection of short stories explores the very idea. Even though the chapters are in sequential order What happens when Earthlings colonize Mars? This collection of short stories explores the very idea. Even though the chapters are in sequential order by date, each chapter/story features a different plot and characters....more
(view spoiler)[This page turner turned out to be an extreme case of LHJ's (Ladies Home Journal) "Can This Marriage Be Saved?" column. Wow, Amy and Nic(view spoiler)[This page turner turned out to be an extreme case of LHJ's (Ladies Home Journal) "Can This Marriage Be Saved?" column. Wow, Amy and Nick's tale of how they saved their marriage is incredible. (hide spoiler)] Amy disappears and all the clues lead us to believe her husband Nick murdered her. Can Nick find his wife before it is too late? Or will he be convicted and served a life sentence of prison? What will make Amy happy? Is she a bored housewife? Or one crazy &@#$!? Does she even want to go home? Not sure how others felt about the ending, I thought it was perfect!...more