Amazing epic adventure

Jack lives in a Saxon village with a father who is always disappointed in him and a beautiful, slightly obnoxious younger sister who is the family's favorite.  It seems that Jack will be destined to live his days as a poor farmer, just as his bitter father was once forced to abandon his own dreams and accept a more simple life as a peasant.  Jack's fate dramatically changes, though, when he is asked to be become an apprentice to the revered Bard...Jack?  Why not the other town boys who seem much brighter and stronger?   Jack does not realize that the Bard foresees great promise in his character, and the Bard believes Jack is the only hope for their town's survival. 

Jack internship is violently interrupted when the wild r raid his home, capturing both Jack and Lucy and forcing them to leave their home far behind.  Soon Jack finds himself embarking on a mysterious, dangerous journey.  He must fulfill a seemingly impossible quest - and quickly!  If not, his beautiful, beloved sister will be brutally offered as a sacrifice.

This book provides great humor and spine-tingling adventures (dragons, spiders, and vicious trolls - Oh My!).  The greatest aspect to this book are the numerous life themes Nancy Farmer addresses - loyalty, faith, love of family, ambiguity of good and evil, and many more.  Jack emerges from this adventure as a true Bard in his own right.

Nancy Farmer is an amazing writer.  Hopefully the long length will not discourage any readers - once started, you will eventually wish the story had never ended!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

    Thought I was going to hate this book - but found myself actually, totally loving it!  No down-time at all in this nonstop action/adventure, mystery.

 When I first saw the cover of Roland Smith's Cryptid Hunters, I must admit I was not very enthused about reading this book.  The front cover has pictures of two prehistoric creatures.  Hmmmm....a dinosaur book?  Yes, prehistoric creatures are a subject of this novel - but it has so much more to offer and the information about cryptids (mysterious creatures whose existence has never been scientifically proven) is actually very interesting.

When twin siblings Marty and Grace find out their parents are missing and presumed dead, they find their world radically changing overnight.  Sent from their private boarding school to live with an uncle named Wolfe, whom they never even knew existed, the twins soon found themselves surrounded by multiple mysteries.  Why didn't their parents ever tell them about Wolfe?  Why does Wolfe get so nervous around Grace?  The house has very high tech security, and the twins are told to never leave Uncle Wolfe's compound unattended.  Will they ever learn Wolfe's secrets?

When Uncle Wolfe plans to go on a dangerous trip to the Congo to deter his arch enemy, Dr. Blackwood, from poaching cryptids, the twins are supposed to go back to their boarding school until he returns.  Due to a freak accident, Marty and Grace find themselves stranded in the Congo as well - fighting for their survival.  Contestants on the show Survivor have never faced such wild, dangerous elements as these 13-year-olds do. 

While waiting on her uncle to find them, Grace is surprised that she knows her way around the island, and all of her surroundings seem vaguely familiar.  She will soon learn that her past, and everything she thought she knew about her parents is not true.

You will be shocked when you learn all the secrets that this book holds!  Give this book a try - you won't be able to put it down!

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

      Mystery, humor, suspense, and surprises until the very end.  Very enjoyable book

In Shakespeare's Secret, there's a great mystery that needs to be solved - the mystery of the missing diamond - a diamond once believed to be owned by British royalty - and, to make it even more interesting, it happens to be worth at least a million dollars!

The main character of this book, Hero, cannot believe her family has moved again, and now she has to start another new school.  It was hard enough for people to accept the name "Hero."  Having a sister who was very beautiful and popular no matter where they lived did not help Hero much either.  Soon Hero's life takes a dramatic turn.  She thought her old neighbor Miriam was nice - a tad boring, though, and not to mention OLD.  Suddenly Hero finds out that Miriam has many exciting stories to share, such as the story of the diamond necklace that was stolen and possibly hidden by the previous owner of Hero's new house.

Suddenly Hero finds herself trying to solve the mystery of the hidden diamond with only a short written clue left to guide her.  She doesn't have to solve this mystery alone, though.  Danny Cordova, the most popular, hot guy in 8th grade joins Hero on the hunt.  Together they find a prize that means more than a diamond ever could.

This book captured my attention from beginning to end!

Sunday, June 03, 2007

      Mystery, humor, suspense, and surprises until the very end.  Very enjoyable book

In Shakespeare's Secret, there's a great mystery that needs to be solved - the mystery of the missing diamond - a diamond once believed to be owned by British royalty - and, to make it even more interesting, it happens to be worth at least a million dollars!

The main character of this book, Hero, cannot believe her family has moved again, and now she has to start another new school.  It was hard enough for people to accept the name "Hero."  Having a sister who was very beautiful and popular no matter where they lived did not help Hero much either.  Soon Hero's life takes a dramatic turn.  She thought her old neighbor Miriam was nice - a tad boring, though, and not to mention OLD.  Suddenly Hero finds out that Miriam has many exciting stories to share, such as the story of the diamond necklace that was stolen and possibly hidden by the previous owner of Hero's new house.

Suddenly Hero finds herself trying to solve the mystery of the hidden diamond with only a short written clue left to guide her.  She doesn't have to solve this mystery alone, though.  Danny Cordova, the most popular, hot guy in 8th grade joins Hero on the hunt.  Together they find a prize that means more than a diamond ever could.

This book captured my attention from beginning to end!

Sunday, June 03, 2007

 

Important lessons of tolerance, compassion, loyalty, and true friendship

My Greatest Fears:

1.  Fifth Grade

2.  Duke Evans

3. Frankie Carmen

 Gabriel King did not want to graduate.  He didn't want to go to 5th grade.  Why bother?  Attend 5th grade just to be beaten up by Frankie and Duke every day?  Gabriel's best friend Frita is determined to help Gabriel conquer all his fears.  She gets him to make a list of all his fears, and the unstoppable Fritaeven comes up with a few herself!  Each day, Gabriel finds the courage to overcome one of his greatest fears.  Soon Gabriel and Frita find that both of their greatest fears are not even included on their lists - fears they must both face with determination and strength.  Gabriel and Frita find the bravery within themselves  - even when confronted with racism, threatened violence, and deep hatred.  Would you be willing to risk everything in order to save your best friend?  Read The Liberation of Gabriel King to find out what tests their friendship, and the fear they both face  - one that will change the rest of their lives.

Sunday, June 03, 2007