Middle and High School. Manu discovers her true identity when her mother is detained by ICE and Manu ends up at a school for Brujas and Lobizones. It Middle and High School. Manu discovers her true identity when her mother is detained by ICE and Manu ends up at a school for Brujas and Lobizones. It seems her existence is illegal in two realms. Not unlike Harry Potter, her new friends help her harness untapped powers while she learns about her past. A little slow at the beginning. Enjoyed the Latin flavor of the setting and the puppy dog romance....more
High school. Isn’t it great when you find out your favorite trilogy… isn’t over yet? In her 4th Graceling novel, Cashore explores a new continent to tHigh school. Isn’t it great when you find out your favorite trilogy… isn’t over yet? In her 4th Graceling novel, Cashore explores a new continent to the east of the Kingdoms. Winterkeep. A Democracy, highly educated public with active consumer markets, scientists, and a desire to prevent their continent from polluting the world. Sound familiar?
Levisa is our new heroine. Her parents are successful politicians in Winterkeep, and she has a very realistic idea of how the government works. The government is currently split 50/50 on allowing the use of zilfium fuel that pollutes. Meanwhile, queen Bitterblue has just discovered Keepish families have been cheating her kingdom in Monsea. When Queen bitterblue decides to visit Winterkeep, she is swept overboard in an unfortunate accident and presumed dead. Her envoy of Gideon and Hava (a Graceling who can make you see what she wants you to see) begin to investigate the Zilfium situation, revealing a rotten core in this enlightened society....more
Grades 7-12. The fact that this book was out of stock twice when I ordered it says something. This is the best new fantasy I have read in a couple of Grades 7-12. The fact that this book was out of stock twice when I ordered it says something. This is the best new fantasy I have read in a couple of years. It is rooted in African-esque culture. It is a quest to save magic that the king has done his best to eradicate. There is Romeo and Juliet going on. There is betrayal. There is duty. It's well done. Looking forward to book #2....more
Grades 3-5. It's Elliot's first day at his new school and it's field trip day. He meets a girl on the bus named Uchenna and they wander off in the PinGrades 3-5. It's Elliot's first day at his new school and it's field trip day. He meets a girl on the bus named Uchenna and they wander off in the Pine Barrons of New Jersey. They have discovered a Jersey Devil-- an animal that is not supposed to be real. This is a fast-paced story that scrambles to introduce the antagonists at the end. Character development is fairly shallow. This is not typical Gidwitz fare. It is for a younger audience and hopefully the first novel is just a set-up for wonderful things to come....more
Grades 5+. Written as a play, this story explores the life of Harry/Ron/Draco's children as they attend Hogwarts. It was entertaining, but was really Grades 5+. Written as a play, this story explores the life of Harry/Ron/Draco's children as they attend Hogwarts. It was entertaining, but was really glorified fan fiction. I enjoyed it, but prefer my stories in prose with more details and depth....more
Grades 4-6. Emma lives with Grandma Blue in their house/cafe by the town's cemetery. Feeling the recent loss of her mother, Emma hopes to fill the empGrades 4-6. Emma lives with Grandma Blue in their house/cafe by the town's cemetery. Feeling the recent loss of her mother, Emma hopes to fill the emptiness by discovering her destiny. The women in her family have had a dream about wildflowers that reveals their hidden talent. Meanwhile, Emma discovers their cafe and home is in danger of being sold. She and her friends hope to harness the knowledge of her dreams to make something extraordinary happen....more
Grades 4-7. Standard fantasy fare. Dystopian world Quill eliminates the weakest 13Year-olds each year. They are called the Unwanteds and are sent to tGrades 4-7. Standard fantasy fare. Dystopian world Quill eliminates the weakest 13Year-olds each year. They are called the Unwanteds and are sent to their deaths in a burning lake of oil.
Alex and his brother Aaron are very different. Alex is Unwanted because he has been caught being creative, an undesirable trait. Aaron is a rule-follower with great ambitions.
But nothing is what it seems. Unwanteds aren't being killed. In fact, they may have it even better. Now Alex wants to rescue his twin, but it could destroy the world he has grown to love....more
Grades 4-7. Four children meet the sweet, elderly owner of the Sweet Tooth Ice Cream and Candy Shop. She invites them to run special errands for her tGrades 4-7. Four children meet the sweet, elderly owner of the Sweet Tooth Ice Cream and Candy Shop. She invites them to run special errands for her to earn "secret" candy. These odd errands begin innocently enough, but soon they discover Mrs White has a sinister side. She is tracking down an ancient treasure in their town. If power falls into the wrong hands, life will never be the same. Can the kids stop her before it's too late?...more
Grades 4-6. RL ?. Felicity's family has always been transient- moving from place to place. Who knew it might have had something to do with a curse froGrades 4-6. RL ?. Felicity's family has always been transient- moving from place to place. Who knew it might have had something to do with a curse from her hometown of Midnight Gulch? The family returns to Midnight Gulch, a place that claims to have snickers (or remnants) of magic. Felicity has always been different. She sees words everywhere she travels-- almost like a hint of what the people around her are thinking. In the town she discovers other magic. An ice cream that helps you remember. Shadows that dance. A Beedle that makes wishes come true. Felicity finally feels at home in this place, surrounded by her aunts and uncles. But her mother has that far-away look in her eyes like she's mentally packing up their belongings for their next move....more
Grades 4-6. RL 580. Jack blacks out and finds himself kidnapped by a secret institute (The Karnai Institute). Their mission is to solve the mystery ofGrades 4-6. RL 580. Jack blacks out and finds himself kidnapped by a secret institute (The Karnai Institute). Their mission is to solve the mystery of Atlantis--clues to which are hidden in the seven ancient wonders of the world. Four children--Jack, Marco, Aly and Cass are branded with white lamda marks on their heads--a sign that they are somehow genetically related to the magical peoples of Atlantis. In this first book, the four children travel to the Colossus of Rhodes to recover a lost artifact. Much has yet to be revealed--who the rival sect is, how parents might be related to the plot, etc....more
Grades 4-6. RL 840. Magical realism. People are born with certain Talent-- a skill that is somewhat supernatural. Some people have the power of whistlGrades 4-6. RL 840. Magical realism. People are born with certain Talent-- a skill that is somewhat supernatural. Some people have the power of whistling, of spitting, of finding things that are lost, etc. And some people are Fair (have no Talent). In this story, a variety of characters come together under one roof-- apartments created in an old peanut butter factory. People who seem very different from one another but have some very important things in common. Reminded me a bit of Savvy, but enough different that this was a strong title in itself. Students will need to read closely to pick up on clues. I found myself referring back to the text a lot as I made predictions about what was going to happen next. Great book!...more
Grades 4-9. RL 720. Great choice for fans of medieval-ish fantasy. When the royal family is murdered, a struggle to replace the king ensues. One of thGrades 4-9. RL 720. Great choice for fans of medieval-ish fantasy. When the royal family is murdered, a struggle to replace the king ensues. One of the Lords scours orphanages to find a boy that resembles a former prince lost at sea. Three boys compete with each other to see who will be presented as the false prince. The losers? Death. They have three weeks to learn reading, manners, horseback riding and swordplay....more
Grades 4-7. RL 700. A boy and girl visit their reclusive grandparents for the first time... only to discover the source of their secrecy. They care foGrades 4-7. RL 700. A boy and girl visit their reclusive grandparents for the first time... only to discover the source of their secrecy. They care for a preserve of mythological creatures. It's a dangerous job, and when their grandparents find themselves in harm's way, the children step up to make things right.
I agree with other readers that found the boy character, Seth, to be VERY annoying and disobedient to the point of disbelief. (He NEVER learns from his mistakes). But that behavior is somewhat resolved as the book becomes the story of his sister and how her extreme obedience saves her from the power of the mythological creatures.
Fantasy fans will eat this one up. Part one of a series....more
High School. This book is a sequel to Graceling, one of my all-time favorite fantasy books. Princess Bitterblue is trying to rule Monsea now that her High School. This book is a sequel to Graceling, one of my all-time favorite fantasy books. Princess Bitterblue is trying to rule Monsea now that her tyrranical father is dead. Her kingdom is trying to overcome the injustices and terror of Leck's rule-- some by forgetting and others by digging for the truth. Bitterblue is at the center of the conflict as she sneaks out of the castle at night hoping to learn the "truth" of how people live.
Like Fire, she has trouble reconciling her father's cruelty with her own power to rule-- but she takes control of her life. With Po's help and some commoners, her kingdom will soon begin to heal. Excellent book. I had hoped for a little stronger of a tie with Fire. Will there be another book in this "trilogy"? I would like to see how cultures on both sides of the mountains come together....more
Grades 4-6. RL 860. Castle Glower is alive. It picks the king of Sleyn by putting the king's bedroom closest to the throne room. Enemies are given celGrades 4-6. RL 860. Castle Glower is alive. It picks the king of Sleyn by putting the king's bedroom closest to the throne room. Enemies are given cell-like accommodations or shown the door. Literally. All is well in the kingdom until the King and Queen are thought murdered and a neighboring prince tries to seize control. But Princess Celie knows and loves the castle more than anyone else-- but can she save them when even the Castle itself is struck a fatal blow?...more
Grades 8+. High Fantasy. Croggon does an excellent job creating the world of Annar. Like many other readers, I see parallels with Tolkien-- but mostlyGrades 8+. High Fantasy. Croggon does an excellent job creating the world of Annar. Like many other readers, I see parallels with Tolkien-- but mostly in the epic scope of the story. I actually found it more accessible than Tolkien for younger readers. While there are some "adult" themes, none are graphic or detailed. I began this book with the audio version, which was fabulous. Then I had to get the book because I couldn't live in my car to finish it. I had hoped the ending would have more closure for me, but this will certainly be a big series-- each book about twice the size of what I usually pick up-- but shorter than Tolkien!...more
Kate Hastings
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Books:
fantasy
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