The Rithmatist, by Brandon Sanderson

The Rithmatists: A somewhat secretive group that protects the United Isles from wild chalklings, and Joel is enthralled by them. They have the power to use chalk to defend themselves and the Isles from the dangers on Nebrask. Joel goes to one of the eight schools where they are trained, but is not technically allowed to learn Rithmatics. When a new professor comes to teach Rithmatic defenses, Rithmatist students start disappearing. Could it be the work of the new professor, or something more sinister?

The Rithmatist is a steampunk book with good character arcs. As you go through the book, you learn more and more about each of the character’s personality and past. It’s not the best of writing, but it has a great concept. The ending was brilliant, the characters were brilliant, and all round a good book, but not one of my favorites.

Harry Potter series, by J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter is “The Boy who survived.” He has lived under the stairs at the Dursely’s for the past ten years. His life has been surrounded by strange happenings: His hair grows back the night after a bad haircut, glass disappears at the zoo, random people come and shake his hand to name only a few. He finally knows why when a giant named Hagrid comes and tells him that he’s a wizard. But not just any normal wizard, no, but supposedly a great wizard, even at the age of eleven. For it was he who had finally stopped Lord Voldemort in his reign over wizardom, as most people thought, forever. But it was not forever. While Harry is studying at the school for wizards called Hogwarts, strange things keep happening, even for wizards. Harry must struggle for survival at what is probably one of the safest places for him on the face of the Earth with his friends Ron Weasely and Hermione Granger as they discover that You-Know-Who is not really dead.

Before I read the Harry Potter series, I listened to what a lot of people said about. It was split fairly evenly between people who loved it, thought it was alright, or hated it. I, for one, loved it. It is by far one of my favorites with the first books used mainly to introduce the characters to you, while the rest are mainly running, fighting, puzzle solving, and all around having a good time. I would suggest this series to anyone, but wouldn’t guarantee that they would love it.

Fields of the Fatherless, by Elaine Marie Cooper

It’s 1775 and the colonies are almost up in arms. In the little town of Menotomy, Betsy Russell struggles to keep her faith. She can’t decide whether to hate the British redcoats or love them as the Bible says to do. She is torn when her father is brutally killed by the British during the retreat from Concord, and when she is asked to care for a wounded British regular in his final days. Can she do what is right and still find happiness in these dire hours?

Elaine Marie Cooper has written a fantastic book in Fields of the Fatherless. She writes in the old English style and does a fabulous job. Based on a true story, it’s a great evening read.

Jack Staples series, by Mark Batterson and Joel Clark

Jack Staples is an ordinary boy with an unordinary life. He is the fulfillment of a prophecy that was spoken thousands of years ago—he has been born without scales on his eyes. Unlike the rest of creation, he has seen the world as it really is for all of his life. When strange creatures led by an evil being called the Assassin attack his home town, Jack and a strange girl named Alexia, who has also not been born with scales, must run for their lives with Jack’s ancient school teacher and several other Awoken, people whose scales have fallen off. One of the two children are destined to betray the Awoken, and one is destined to bring down the Assassin in a struggle that will literally tear the world apart.

Mark Batterson and Joel Clark have spun a wonderful tale in the Jack Staples series. With tons of adventure, fabulous writing, and characters that each have their own individual struggles, the Jack Staples series is definitely a series that I would put on my favorites shelf.

Kingdom Keepers series, by Ridley Pearson

 

Kingdom Keepers, by Ridley Peason

Kingdom Keepers, by Ridley Peason

Finn Whitman is a normal, everyday middle schooler going into highschool; that is, until he auditions for Disney World’s new DHI, Disney Host Interactive, guiding system. Four others are chosen with him as the models, people he has never met, nor thinks he will ever see them again, until one night, he wakes up on a bench inside Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. A man who is there, Wayne Kresky, explains to Finn that when Walt Disney created the characters in the Disney movies, he made them real, and the evil ones were trying to take over the Disney Parks. The DHI’s were created as an excuse to bring the kids to the parks, each chosen for their own abilities, where they must prevent the evil Disney characters from taking over the parks. They would become, the Kingdom Keepers.
An excellent series, the Kingdom Keepers is one of the best and well thought out series that I have ever read. For each of the seven books, there is a subplot, but one main plot throughout the entire series. Each book leaves you itching for the next for the next one throughout the series.

The Water Fight Professional, by Angela Ruth Strong

Joey is a regular 8th grader during school year. But during the summer, he’s a professional water fighter. When he makes a bet with his best friend, he realizes that he must make more money, or have to kiss his next door neighbor.

The Water Fight Professional is a story with humor and fun. It teaches kids the value of keeping a budget, and how maybe your parents are not so bad. I absolutely loved reading this book and is one of my favorite children’s books.

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Water Fight by Angela Ruth Strong