By: Tonke Dragt
Tiuri is about to become a knight. All he must do is keep watch a full night. But when someone comes to the door begging for help, Tiuri cannot ignore them. Suddenly, he carries a message that must be delivered or the kingdoms of his realm will fall. Tiuri immediately leaves his home behind and begins this enormous journey. Within hours, enemies appear who will do anything to make sure Tiuri's quest will fail.
Mrs. Senechal says:
This story was originally written in Dutch in 1962 and was just recently published in the United States. I really liked this story because of all the unique characters that Tiuri meets - the author makes it difficult to know who to trust! Tiuri also makes a great hero because he is so honorable. This book is full of constant adventure and action. Fans of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings will definitely like this book, too! Thanks to Samuel for sharing it with me!
By: D.J. MacHale
After a year of testing, only eight 12-year-olds remain. Four of them will be chosen for a
journey in outer space to retrieve a fuel source to save the world. Dash wants desperately to be one of the four, but he knows he is up against some serious competition. The challenges and tests get more difficult. But, Dash and his friends also realize that there are many unanswered questions.
Mrs. Senechal says:
I was honored to receive an "Advanced Reader Copy"! I think my students will love this book, the first in the series. There is lots of action and suspense and some amazing futuristic tools, vehicles, and gadgets. There are also codes to break and the ability to participate online! Fans of the 39 Clues series will really like this series, too.
By: Gregory Mone
When Fish tries to retrieve a bag of stolen coins that he was supposed to deliver, he never
suspects it will land him a job on a pirate ship! While trying to get the coins back, Fish also makes friends and enemies aboard the ship. Soon, he and his friends are trying to figure out if these coins reveal a mysterious treasure and they have to stop a mutiny at the same time.
Mrs. Senechal says:
This story really draws you in! The author does an excellent job of creating lots of interesting characters - good guys and bad guys. I liked trying to figure out the mystery right along with the characters. You'll also enjoy the excitement and humor throughout the book.
By: Jennifer A. Nielsen
Sage has lived a tough life as an orphan - he is used to stealing, fighting, and outwitting to stay alive. Without warning, Sage is kidnapped along with three other orphans. They soon
learn that their captor, Conner, plans to overtake the kingdom by claiming that one of them is the lost prince. Conner makes it clear that any disobedience will be punished, and those who are not chosen will be disposed of. Sage finds himself competing to be a false prince and just to stay alive.
Mrs. Senechal says:
What a great read! Sage and the other orphans are all likeable and make their dilemna seem even more difficult. And, Conner is truly cruel and masterful villain. If you like adventurous and exciting stories, you will definitely like this book. The final twist at the end of the story caught me completely by surprise - I love that!
By: Chris Grabenstein
Billy is NOT excited about spending the summer at a cabin with his mother. During the first day, he breaks his iPhone and has a run-in with bullies. In desperation, Billy explores the
library - quite an amazing place compared to the rest of the cabin. As he begins to read the books, he thinks his imagination is running wild - he can hear the characters and feel the ground shake! Billy looks outside at an island in the middle of the lake, and is shocked that he can even see the characters from the books. Billy rows to the island to investigate and then the adventure really begins.
Mrs. Senechal says:
If you like to read, you will love this book! If you don't like to read, this book might convince you that books are more exciting than you realize. The author weaves famous literary characters into an exciting and modern story. I think it would be awesome to be in the worlds and meet characters from my favorite books. I highly recommend this book!
By: Sage Blackwood
Jinx's life has a tragic beginning - losing both parents and living with stepparents who only see him as an extra mouth to feed. Finally, Jinx's stepfather takes him out into the Urwald,
the forest filled with horrible, frightening creatures. Jinx is rescued by Simon, a wizard. At first, Jinx just does chores for Simon. But, he has a warm home and good food. Soon, Simon is teaching Jinx magic and eventually Simon puts a spell on Jinx - one that Jinx desperately wants reversed.
Mrs. Senechal says:
Filled with good and evil and characters to love and hate, I think you will really like the book, Jinx! The author kept me turning pages by constantly changing which characters to trust. The detailed descriptions helped me picture this magical setting. The author is not afraid to use challenging vocabulary - I learned a few great new words, too!
By: Michael Perry
Maggie, a.k.a. Ford Falcon, lives "outbubble". That means her family chose to survive on their own without the assistance and safety the government promised. That means that
Ford's family raises and grows their own food and scavenges for items to use or trade. Add to these challenges solar bears, unpredictable weather, and GreyDevils. Ford and her family rely on the expert help of their neighbors to survive. One day, Ford's mom and dad disappear. Suddenly, Ford must take all that she has learned and rescue her family.
Mrs. Senechal says:
I loved this book! The author has created unique characters who you will love getting to know. The setting of a world where you choose safety and prosperity OR freedom is very intriguing. I enjoyed reading about all the accommodations that helped the characters to protect their belongings and provide for their needs. The end of the story left a lot of questions, so I hope there will be a sequel with more adventures!
