Entries Categorized as 'Older Readers'
Posted by Ruth
Categories: Fantasy, Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Good Read Aloud, Hedgehogs, M. I. McAllister, Mistmantle Chronicles, Moles, Otters, Squirrels
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The animals on Mistmantle Island have always led peaceful lives, but things are thrown into chaos when the young Prince Tumble is found murdered right in a hallway of the royal Tower. As harsher laws are passed and events orchestrate themselves a little too well, it becomes evident that an evil intrigue has formed within the Circle—and will endanger the lives and welfare of many.
Urchin is only a new page and the squirrel who’s never quite fit in, but those few animals who know of his mysterious beginning are sure he’ll have a powerful impact on the destiny of the island.
This is certainly an enjoyable read. The populace of squirrels, hedgehogs, otters, and moles bears a similarity to the Redwall series, but I found the overall feel to be different enough that it doesn’t seem like a case of copycat. This was my second time through Urchin, and although I don’t consider it a must-read, it’s worthwhile if you enjoy this style of fantasy.
Posted by Jordan
Categories: Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Dragons, Holly Black, Spiderwick, Tony DiTerlizzi
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The adventure begins as the Grace family (twins Jared and Simon, Mallory, and their mother) moves into a house that Mrs. Grace’s great-aunt Lucinda has given them. And then strange things begin to happen. The children find a hidden room, full of weird references to faeries. Jared finds a field guide by Arthur Spiderwick telling all about the different kinds of faeries, what they do, where they live, and how to tame them. When they do find faeries, the faeries want them to destroy the book. But Jared insists on keeping it, and so the Grace family is plunged into an adventure they never expected.
Although this is a fun story, there are many things included that make it inappropriate for the intended age group. Jared has problems controlling his temper, and he never overcomes the problem. He also deceives the faeries more than once in order to keep the field guide, but later realizes that he should be truthful. His siblings are a little more well-behaved.
Somewhat disappointing is the fact that the villain character is not revealed until the fourth book in the series. Also, the story seems to be stretched out needlessly to cover a five book serial. Every member of the family is captured by faeries at one time or another, which makes for exciting escapes, but becomes boring reading after the second or third capture. However, a clever story does manage to make Spiderwick worth reading. Even though the series is aimed at a younger audience, I feel that it is really better suited for ages 10 and up, so I went ahead and labeled them for older readers. I’ve linked to the boxed set, as the books really should be read back-to-back.
I actually enjoyed the recent film version of The Spiderwick Chronicles better than the book. A lot of the more inappropriate material was cut. The story was also changed around to make it move along at a more respectable pace, and I thought that the ending of the movie was much more satisfying than the ending of the book. The film also lets you know who the bad guy is early on, which was a big plus for me. So make sure that you see the movie once you’ve finished the books.
Posted by Sarah
Categories: Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Howard Pyle, King Arthur, Long Read, Sad
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The story of how King Arthur drew the sword from the anvil and became king, how he obtained the sword Excalibur and its magical sheath, and how he wore a magical cap of disguise to be near the Lady Guinevere and how they were eventually wed. Also the story of the evil plans of King Arthur’s sister, Queen Morgana le Fay, how Sir Pellias and Sir Gawaine were wed to Ladies of the Lake, and how King Arthur defeated the enchanter knight.
A pretty good book. It’s written in Old English and I learned at least one new word. It’s also somewhat sad in some places. I liked the stories with King Arthur best.
Posted by Rebekah
Categories: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Incredibook!, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Animals, Horses, Howard Pyle
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This is the story of Myles Falworth, son of Lord Falworth, and how he rose from obscurity to high favor with the King. When Myles was eight years old, Lord Falworth gave aid to a knight who had been part of a plot to overthrow King Henry the IV. The King discovered this and confiscated Lord Falworth’s lands, reducing him to near-poverty, and, moreover, decreed him a traitor. Lord Falworth was forced to go into hiding, taking with him his wife and young son. The family found succor with a priest and remained in a small house in England. When Myles reached sixteen years old, his father decided to send him to Lord Mackworth (an old friend of Lord Falworth’s) with the request that he take Myles into his service as a squire. Lord Mackworth complied, at considerable danger to himself, and Myles came to live in Mackworth’s great castle. Years passed and Myles grew from a boy to a man and discovered that he was destined to play a high part in the politics of merry England. Soon King Henry himself knights Myles, and begins a chain of events that will effect many, many people.
Now, I put this in as older readers, but really it’s good for people as young as twelve. It’s written in the Old English style, which makes it a little difficult, but I love this book. There is so much action in it! My review sounds very dry and stuffy. From the first, Myles takes a stand for right and defends it with all his heart. Whether it’s challenging the right of a squire to order other squires about, or taking to the lists in a great tournament to redeem his father’s good name, you’re rooting for Myles all the way.
Posted by Jordan
Categories: Fiction, Older Readers, Review
Tags:Good Read Aloud, Natalie Babbitt
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Once, eighty-seven years ago, the Tuck family stopped to drink from a spring in the woods. Then they discovered that this spring granted them eternal life, so they have lived unchanging for eighty-seven years. But then, young Winnie Foster sees Jesse Tuck drinking from the spring. The Tucks believe it would be a disaster for the world to know about the spring, and so they are forced to kidnap Winnie and tell her the whole story. And then a man shows up, searching for the Tucks to learn their secret of eternal life.
Would it really be a great thing to live forever in this world, unchanged and unchanging? Tuck Everlasting may change your mind if you think so. This is my favorite of Natalie Babbitt’s books. All of the characters feel very real, and the question that the story revolves around is worth exploring. Every character thinks differently about the spring, some thinking that it’s a gift, others feeling that they have been cursed by the waters. Not to be missed.
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