I Survived

This is a series I have been curious about for awhile now.  I've had lots of kids come into my store asking for these books.  Pompeii is the newest installment.  I believe it just came out this week.  They don't have to be read in order (this is book #10) because each title takes place in a different historical period with different characters.  I rather enjoyed this book.  I think this series would be great for reluctant readers.  They are short, barely over 100 pages, and include a lot of history.  This is the only one I have read, so I can't speak for the others, but it was fast-paced and to the point.  It briefly covered the few days leading up the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and then the actual eruption and attempted evacuation.  There are illustrations to help break up the words, for those who need that.  This series is probably about a fourth grade reading level, maybe even late third grade.  It is scholastic, so the actually reading level should be on the back of the book.  I read a digital copy, so the information wasn't included.  Like I said, the book was a lot of fun and inspired me to do a little further research on the event.  That is exactly what the author hopes for.  Kids who are at all interested in historical events, or enjoy some good danger and action, this series would be perfect.  They all cover events that are known for the death and destruction factor, but focus on surviving that event.  I can say that I do in fact recommend this series.  Give it a try.  Happy reading!

Septimus Heap

A very cute kids series is Septimus Heap by Angie Sage.  The adventures follow a young boy named Septimus Heap.  He is the seventh son of a seventh son, and as such, he is destined to be one of the most powerful wizards of all time.  He is just a boy though, so he must take up an apprenticeship with the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, Marcia Overstrand, in order to be properly trained to someday take her place.  The books are filled with adventure and mishap.  The characters are a lot of fun and the world the author has created is rather enjoyable.  Septimus' family is rather entertaining.  His brothers are all very different.  His sister, Jenna, is a force to be reckoned with.  His best friend Beetle is always up for an adventure.  After raising seven kids, Sarah Heap is not to be messed with.  All the characters, good and bad, are fun.  The series is full of quirky characters and great adventure, not to mention a bit of magic, time travel, possession, dragons and danger.  It is very fun.  The books are all quite thick, but the content is appropriate for younger readers than Harry Potter.  I would recommend it for about 10 years old, but could be read to kids slightly younger.  If you like fantasy and want something a bit silly, yet well written and entertaining, give this series a try.  Happy reading!

The Mortal Instruments

Most people have probably heard of this series, but if you haven't (or just haven't read it yet), here is my shout out to the Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare.  There are moments that will infuriate you, but over all the books are very good.  They are jam packed with action and danger.  The world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders that the author has created is very interesting.  It is set in 2008 in modern day New York (mostly).  The Shadowhunters (Nephilim) are a race of angel blessed people set to the task of protecting the world from demons.  They are warriors with special weapons and covered in runes that help enhance their natural abilities.  The main players are teenagers who live and train at the New York Institute, a Shadowhunter establishment.  Brother and sister Alec and Isabelle Lightwood, adopted brother Jace make up the three musketeers.  Enter mundane (ordinary human) Clary Fray.  She sees the trio slay a demon at a night club.  The only problem, mundanes can't see Shadowhunters.  They are glamoured to the naked eye.  She and her best friend Simon are thrown into the Shadow World, and their lives will never be the same.  Warlocks, Vampires, and Werewolves (the Downworlders) as well as the Fair Folk fill our the cast of characters.  The first three books (meant to be a trilogy) have an overall story arc that plays out at the end of book three.  The next three follow a continuing story arc with a newish big bad.  The books are well written, fast-paced, and full of excitement.  The characters are complex and far from perfect.  There is a wide variety of characters that make up the complex world expertly created by the author.  They are definitely worth reading.  If you are interested in them, the author wrote another trilogy set in the same world, only 100 or so years earlier called The Infernal Devices.  The two series tie together nicely in book six (City of Heavenly Fire), as well as set up her next series, The Dark Artifices, whose first installment is set to be released sometime next year.  If you are interested in trying one of her series, this one is the best.  Just a bit of advice, don't let any revelations in book one stop you from continuing the series.  I promise everything will be satisfactorily resolved in further volumes.  If you haven't read this series yet, give it a try.  Happy reading!

The Iron Fey

For years I though about reading The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa.  It wasn't until she started a new series, The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten, that I finally gave it a try.  The author said the first four didn't have to be read before book five (aka book one in the new series).  That sounded like a good deal to me.  I really liked that fifth book and was instantly intrigued by the previous four.  Of course I hurried to read them, as well as the bridging novellas, before book six came out.  I found that I actually liked the original four better.  The bad thing was, by reading book five first, a few things were ruined for me.  The second series takes place twelve or so years later and follows Ethan Chase, the younger brother or the main character in the Iron Fey series.

The original series follows Meghan Chase as she heads into the Nevernever to rescue her four year old brother, Ethan, after he is kidnapped by faeries.  It isn't long that she learns she is part faerie herself, the half-human daughter to none other than Oberon himself.  The Summer princess makes friends and enemies along the way.  Her travel companions are the Summer prankster, Puck, and his best friend/worst enemy the youngest Winter prince, Ash.  Finding Ethan is not their only problem.  A new kingdom, made of iron, is rapidly growing.  The Nevernever is starting to die as the poisonous iron overtakes the land.  None of the faeries can stop it.  Meghan's human half makes her immune to the effects of iron, so it is up to her to try to stop the Iron King before all the Winter and Summer lands and faeries are dead.  Of course there is also romance.  Puck is in love with Meghan from the beginning, but it is the forbidden Ash she is drawn to.  He is cold, cunning and lethal, just like his mother, Mab, values.  Meghan catches glimpses of who he is under that mask.  The two can't help but fall in love.  The problem, their parents are mortal enemies and it is forbidden for Summer and Winter to be together.  Will they risk exile to be together or walk away?  You'll have to read to find out.

While there is romance, as in most young adult books, it is by no means the driving point of the story.  The life and death action and adventure will keep you reading.  If you are at all interested in the world of Faerie, I think you will enjoy these books.  The Iron kingdom is fascinating to me.  I think it was a brilliant idea to shake things up in Faerie.  I really enjoyed the characters, especially Ash, although Puck's antics are always entertaining.  The stories are well-written and well-paced.  I never got bored.  The first three books are more of a trilogy, following Meghan, while book four is about Ash.  Meghan is only in it for a little bit.  It feels like a bonus book to satisfy Ash fans, although it does tie into the overall story.  Like I said, they are quite enjoyable.  Give them a try.  Happy reading!

The Ascendance Trilogy

I recently read The Ascendance Trilogy, partly to see what the fuss was about.  A while back the first book was quite popular for awhile and I was curious.  I found that I rather enjoyed these books.  They got increasingly better as the story progressed through the three volumes.  In the False Prince a nobleman scours orphanages to find candidates he can train to act as the missing, presumed dead, young prince.  He chooses a few young boys that could pass for the prince and trains them up.  He will pick one to make an attempt at the throne, if he can convince the regents that he is Jaron.  In The Runaway King, Jaron's regents don't believe the threat to Carthya is real and are pushing to place a steward on the throne until Jaron comes of age.  To save his country, Jaron flees to confront and destroy the pirates that pose the biggest threat to his country.  In the Shadow Throne, all three neighboring kingdoms have banded together to wage war on Carthya and the young King.  King Vargan of Avenia wants to overthrown Jaron and set himself up as emperor of all the land.  The war seems impossible to win and the likelihood of survival slim.  This series is very fast-paced, full of action and adventure, suspense and intrigue, loyalty and friendship.  Jaron is quite the witty young man and proves to be the thorn in many a side.  He is a very smart, strong and fast thinking leader, proving more of an opponent than any gauge him to be.  The characters are very likable.  Jaron, Imogen, Ronan, Amarinda, Tobias, Mott, Harlow, to name a few.  It is definitely worth reading.  I found myself rather entertained, trying to keep up with Jaron and his antics.  Give them a try.  Happy reading!

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl is one of my all-time favorite children's authors.  His twisted sense of humor and uncanny ability to capture the dark side of people has provided hours of entertainment for me.  He has always been more than successful at captivating me with his characters, both good and bad.  He created unique individuals that aren't soon forgotten.  I only wish he was still alive to create the magnificent adventures of my childhood for generations to come.  He is one of those authors whose work will never go out of print.  When I was young I would listen to James and the Giant Peach over and over again.  That was one of my favorite books.  I longed for the adventure of traveling over the sea in a giant peach.  Matilda speaks to my love of books.  The BFG is another fun adventure, filled with unlikely friendship.  The Twits sees the worlds worst adults get what's coming to them.  All kids can appreciate that.  Esio Trot is such an adorable love story.  These five are my favorite of his books, but I like all of them.  I read the Witches after I had seen the movie a million times and found that I liked the movie version slightly better.  In my opinion Roald Dahl should be a part of every child's library.  I know some parents don't like the dark side of each book, or the consistently horrible adults portrayed in the stories.  I think that all kids will encounter horrible adults at some point, and these books can perhaps help empower them a little.  Regardless of your beliefs on the matter, his books have the power to spark the imagination.  I think that ability is priceless in children's literature.  I have listened to a handful of his books on audio and all of them are fabulous.  If you have a short road trip ahead, these books make a wonderful accompaniment to any drive.  Listen to them with your kids.  Read the books together as well.  They are wonderful.  Happy reading!

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy

I haven't been reading a lot of middle grade books lately, but I received an advanced copy of Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy from the publisher.  It was released in January, yet I just got around to reading it.  This book reminded me why I love kids books.  I was drawn to it first by its cover.  It looked a bit magical, and I was instantly interested in reading it.  Although it took me a long time to start this book, I was quickly swept up by the story.  There are actually two intersecting stories taking place.  You have the story of the boy, hand picked by Wizards to deliver a sword to a chosen one who will defeat the Snow Queen.  When he encounters the evil queen, she locks him up.  Ophelia's story begins when she accompanies her father on a job to some foreign city.  He is sword expert and is hired by the museum to help set up an exhibit.  Ophelia spends her days wandering the museum and trying to stay out of trouble.  On her very first day, she stumbles upon a locked room.  Inside she discovers the Marvelous Boy, prisoner of the Snow Queen.  He begins to tell her his story and asks for her help.  She doesn't believe a word of it, after all, magic is not real.  But, she is bored and curious.  She does as he asks, and her world will never be the same.  Adventure and danger await her at every turn.  She must first believe.  Then, she must do all she can to rescue the boy, find the one, and save the world.  She only has a couple days until the world ends and the Snow Queen will take over.  Can the boy and Ophelia stop her?  I really enjoyed the characters.  The writing was full of magic and whimsy.  The story within the story kept me hooked.  I kept wanting to know what Ophelia would encounter next.  The museum setting was lots of fun.  Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it and wish I had read it earlier.  I think it would make an excellent read aloud, in a classroom setting or just at home.  Either way, it is definitely one that would be fun to read together with children.  It is captivating and enchanting.  Happy reading!

Percy Jackson

Today I want to talk about one of my absolute favorite series for kids (actually it is two series, but one is a sequel of sorts).  After Harry Potter, Percy Jackson is the second must read kid's series, in my opinion.  I think every kid, and adult alike, should read these books.  They are just awesome.  The first five books (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) follow young Percy as he learns the truth of who he really is and embraces his destiny.  He is a demigod, son of one of the Olympic gods .  The monsters and gods from Greek Mythology are real and he is a key figure in their world, whether he wants to be or not.  In each book he finds himself on some seemingly impossible quest, relying on friends, guts and ingenuity to survive.  The five books are tied together by a prophesy that says when one of the demigods turns 16, he or she will either save or destroy Olympus.  The Titan lord Kronos is the big bad in this series.  As he gains power and starts to break free from his prison in Tartarus, Percy and the other demigods must do whatever they can to stop his army.  Obviously a lot of adventures take place over the course of the series.  They happen over the span of five years, culminating in the dreaded birthday and ensuing battle.  My favorite thing about these books is getting to know the modern day aspects of the gods.  They are quite entertaining.  The characters, not just the gods, but the demigods and other mythical creature, are all extremely fun and very likable.  Percy Jackson is a great hero, full of flaws but loyal to the end.  I can't say enough about this series.  If you haven't read it yet, start it immediately.  The second series, Heroes of Olympus, is still in progress.  It has mostly new characters, sons and daughters of the Roman aspects of the gods.  There are a handful of characters from the Greek side, including Percy, that are also in the series.  The trouble is, the Greek and Roman sides of the gods have always been at war with each other.  The two sides must learn to fight together if they are going to stop the Earth Mother, Gaea, from rising.  So far I am enjoying this series almost as much as the first.  They are well written and full of adventure.  I've always preferred Greek Mythology to Roman, so that is why the first series is a little better, in my opinion.  Still, I am loving this sequel series.  I can't wait until October when book five comes out.  Seriously, if you haven't read this series yet, pick up a copy of The Lightning Thief TODAY and get started.  I promise you won't be sorry.  Happy reading!

The Guardians

Last Easter we watched Rise of the Guardians, and I was intrigued with the characters.  I wanted to read the series that inspired the movie.  In each book, the title character is recruited by the Man in the Moon to become a Guardian (of Childhood).  These are their origin stories so to speak.  The movie isn't exactly based on the books themselves.  It is more on the characters after they have been Guardians for awhile, once again battling Pitch.  If you liked the movie, you will definitely enjoy getting to know the characters back stories more.  Each adventure is filled with wonder and amazement.  They are also filled with danger as the growing group battles Pitch Dark (usually just called Pitch).  He is determined to fill the world with fear and turn children into Fearlings.  The books are so much fun.   The group is searching for all the missing pieces of the Moonclipper.  When assembled, they can stop Pitch once and for all.  If you are looking for long, deep stories, these are not for you.  They are short and fun books aimed at young children.  The first book sets up the series and then the story continues into each, as St. North and the Man in the Moon gather up/recruit the Guardians.  There is a smattering of artwork throughout the books, helping you see what the author had in mind when describing characters and creatures.  Over all, I had a lot of fun with the books and look forward to the series continuing.  As far as I know, there are at least two more planned.  If you are looking for a less fluffy Easter story this year, try this version of the Easter Bunny.  Happy reading!

Gallagher Girls

I stumbled upon the Gallagher Girls series years ago.  I read the first book, thought it was cute and that was the end of it.  At the time it was the only book out in the series, and by the time the next book came out I had already forgotten about the series.  It wasn't until I read the first book in Ally Carter's other series (Heist Society) that I was once again reminded of her first series.  What actually made me get back into the Gallagher Girls books was a cross-over novella between the two series.  Double Crossed doesn't take place  until after book five, so I figured I better read these books first.  I was definitely happy I did.  These books, while a little fluffy and silly in the beginning, are so much fun.

Gallagher Academy is an elite,  private, all girls boarding school.  At least that is what it appears to be on the outside.  For the select few chosen to attend the prestigious school, it is quickly seen for what it really is: a secret sisterhood of spies in training.  On this day, International Tell a Lie Day, I figured this was the perfect series to talk about.  After all, spies' very lives depend on their ability to tell lies.  At the center of the stories is a group of girls: Cammie, Rebecca, Macey and Liz.  The roommates find themselves in the middle of all types of trouble throughout the series.  As they get older and as the series progresses, the books start leaving silly behind and start to get real.  The danger and reality of being spies in training and often the target of double agents, the group of friends learn to count on each other for their very survival.

The characters are lots of fun, not just the main four girls.  The teachers and family members, as well as others involved in their little world make these books a success.  One thing I love about these books is they are completely clean, except for some incidental violence that goes along with life as a spy in training.  They don't have any bad language or sex.  They are just good, clean fun.  I love that you never know who you can really trust.  At times you will suspect just about everybody of being a double agent.  Only sometimes will you be right.  The not knowing will definitely keep you on your toes.  To me the series just kept getting stronger as it went on.  That cannot be said for plenty of series I have read; in fact; there are some that I have never bothered to finish because I have lost interest in them.  This series kept me hooked until the very end.  I highly recommend this series, as well as Heist Society, which I wrote about in another post already.  Give them both a try.  I promise you won't be sorry.  They are a lot of fun.  Happy reading!

Thursday Three: Movie Adaptations I'd Like to See Made

Today is Popcorn Lover's Day, a perhaps little known worldwide observance.  I'm sure I'm hardly alone in thinking that popcorn and movies is almost synonymous.  I am not really a fan of movie theater popcorn though.  I much prefer my popcorn cooked on a stove-top and lightly salted.  YUM!!  Anyway, in terms of popcorn and movies, I have decided to talk about three books I would love to see made into movies.  This post was a lot harder than I thought it would be.  Most of my favorite books have either already been made into movies, or I have already talked about them in other posts.  Still, these three choices would make really fun movies or TV shows.  Even if you don't agree with me on the adaptation possibility, I still think all these series are worth a read.
1.  Artemis Fowl
Perhaps I should have saved this series for next week (both the author and main character are Irish).  Oh well.  I just love this series.  It starts out with a young, bored, rich, genius boy named Artemis.  He has too much time and too much money to do whatever he wants with.  He is a criminal mastermind in the making and in the first book his sole objective is to prove once and for all that fairies are real.  Then, he wants their gold.  Enter the up and coming young Holly Short.  She is a rising star in the LEPrecon unit of the fairy police.  She is tough and is not about to put up with the young Artemis.  I just love the characters in this series.  The fairies are lots of fun and Artemis' bodyguard, Butler, is wonderful.
2.  Vampirates
I'll be honest, I first picked up this book based on the premise alone.  I thought, "Pirates that are vampires.  You can't go wrong there."  I thoroughly enjoyed this series.  In the first book, twins Connor and Grace are separated after a shipwreck.  Grace is rescued by a ship of vampirates and Connor is rescued by a ship of regular pirates.  As the two settle into their new roles aboard their respective ships, destiny starts to unfold, bringing everything to a head.  I just love pirate books and this series is just that much more fun when you're dealing with vampires as well.  Especially when some of them go rouge and the two sides have to join forces to stop them.
3.  Calvin and Hobbes
I am hardly the only fan of this young troublemaker and his feline sidekick.  The forever six year old is always making me laugh.  I would love to watch his shenanigans on the big screen, or as a television show.  It would probably work best animated, but I would love to see a live-action adaptation.  With all the CGI capabilities, Hobbes would be easy, albeit expensive, to make.  Although this comic strip in no longer being written, the collections still tend to be favorites of many.  In my opinion, this is the best and most brilliantly written comic strip of all time.  I am in no way a comic aficionado, so I don't speak with any authority in this matter.  I just have impeccable taste, so I must be right!