Hunger Games: Catching Fire

"Sparks Will Fly!"

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - Katness and Peeta are home but nothing is the same. Katness's relationships with both Peeta and Gale and she has no need to go hunting to keep her family alive. Just before the Victory Tour, Katness is threatened and so are the ones she loves. Try to convince the districts that she was just madly in love and not trying to start a rebellion is not as easily done as it is said. But when the announcement of the 75th Hunger Games, the Quarter Quell, a special games with a twist, comes, it will take everything Katness and Peeta's got to make it through.

Author - Suzanne Collins

Publisher - Large Print Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning; Published in 2012 by arrangement with Scholastic, Inc (Info from Copyright page)

Age Group - 16 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Katness and Peeta defend and protect each other from the Capital. Lots of lying. Katness gets drunk once, Peeta squashes that quickly. A contestant in the games gets naked to cause discomfort (not described in detail, though) and Peeta laughs at Katness because she is uncomfortable about it. Someone claims to be pregnant but you know nothing has happened and they are not.
Personal Opinion - Catching Fire did just what Hunger Games did; hooked my in seconds and didn't let go... Ended in such a way that it still has me. Katness and Peeta are such fabulous characters that they just take me on their journey and make me want to know what happens next. Also, a bunch of stuff I never saw coming happened that added suspense and excitement to the book. The only thing I didn't like was the characters lying and being naked (there was one more thing but it might spoil the book). The book was also a little more violent so I feel it is more appropriate for a teen age group. But it was still good and gave examples of self-sacrifice, fighting to protect others and for justice.

Buy - Amazon, Barnes and Noble,

Awards - #1 USA Today Bestseller

Links - Learn more about the books and author here.

Special Notes - Book 1, Hunger Games, review
                         Hunger Games Movie Review
                         Book 3, Mockingjay, review - Coming Soon

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Bull Rider

"Eight Seconds of Danger...
A Lifetime of Honor."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4.5 Worms

Storyline - Cam O'Mara's family has a history of bull riding, but thinks you would have to be crazy to get on one of those animals, preferring to stay on his skate board. But when his older brother, Ben, returns home from Iraq, injured from an IED, Cam would do anything for him. Even if it means getting on the one bull no one has ridden, with fifteen thousand dollars being offered to the first one who can stay on for a full 8 seconds.
Author - Suzanne Morgan Williams

Publisher - Margaret K. Mcelderry; Imprint of Simon and Schuster's Children's Division

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Cam wants to hate the people who hurt his brother but is encouraged not too. He tries to help his brother in anyway he can but wants to run too because of how hard it is to see him after the attack. Lies multiple times, sometimes even encouraged and supported by other adults, but usually gets in trouble. Tries to commit fraud, as well as attempts to purchase a fake ID, and isn't rewarded for it but isn't punished much for it either.

Personal Opinion - When I saw the cover, I was intrigued. When I heard what it was about, I was excited. When I read it, I was blown away. I read this book within days of starting it, finding it hard to put down and wanting to know what happened next. I used to love to watch bull riding, still do, even though I tend to cheer for the bull and not the rider, which is what initially made me want to read this. But it is so much more than just bull riding. It is about a young man's struggle to handle life after his brother gets hurt and what he is willing to do to help him. This book was wonderful, my only complaints being I wish the friends had been developed more earlier in the book and some St. Jude medals were used more like a good-luck charm instead of how they really should be used (but any other time God or Christian stuff was brought up, it was very respectful and accurate, so I don't think the author means anything negative with this use). A great book with a wonderful story, action, growth, learning, and characters. Oh, and bull riding.

Buy - Amazon
Links - Learn more about the book and author here.
Special Notes - A list of awards and articles are available too on the author's website.

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Hatchet

"Lost"

Bookworm's Ranking - 3.5 Worms

Storyline - Brian is headed to Canada to spend the summer with his father after his parents divorced. When the pilot dies and the plain crashes, Brian is alone in the wilderness to survive with only his new hatchet to help. Will he find a way to stay alive or will the unknown elements defeat him?
Author - Gary Paulsen

Publisher - Simon Pules: A devision of Simon and Schuster

Age Group - 12 or 13 and up
Content - *May Contain Spoilers* He learns to be a survivor on his own instead of being helpless. He makes himself learn and do something about his predicament and survival. Becoming depressed once, he cuts himself in hopes of dying but this is not graphic, just tells that is what he did and saw the dried blood later and regrets that action.
Personal Opinion - Good but had some trouble getting into it. Perhaps because it was mostly him having internal thoughts or sharing what was going on around him because he was alone, therefore couldn't have a conversation. Learning to survive and do things on his own, his growth in that way, was interesting and pulled me deeper into the story with his determination to survive. How he did it was fun to learn and was something I liked about the book. The ending was a bit abrupt but there are more books about Brian so I may read those. Those books might give more  to the story because there were some things I was curious about after it ended.

Buy - Amazon

Awards - Newberry Honor Award

Links - Learn more about the book and author here.

Special Notes - There are several more books about Brian but this book can be read without needing to read the rest. There is also a movie based off the book.

To read, comment, and rate this and other reviews, stop by Bookworm.

The Hunger Games

"Winning Means Fame and Fortune.
Losing Means Certain Death.
The Hunger Games have Begun..."

Bookworm's Ranking - 4 Worms

Storyline - In the world of Panem, a place once known as North America, the citizens must participate in The Hunger Games created by the Capital after a rebellion many years ago where their children fight to the death as everyone watches. But when Katness's little sister is chosen for the Games, she volunteers in Prim's place. Not knowing if she will survive, Katness and her fellow tribute, Peeta, travel to the Capital to train and make a good show for the ones watching. Not knowing what kind of conditions they will be in, Katness knows she doesn't stand a chance if there isn't a bow which she has been using to feed her family most of her life. As they prepare, Peeta drops a bomb shell in an interview that Katness doesn't know if it is part of his strategy... or truth. As the games begin, she is going to have to fight with everything she has to survive.
Author - Suzanne Collins

Publisher - Scholastic
Age Group - 15 and up

Content - Katness has to hunt in the woods illegally because can't afford to buy food. Calles a woman 'witch' twice (this is the closets the book comes to swearing) and does sometimes hate and feels like taking revenge on others. But she is also sacrificial and protects the ones she cares about. Not too interested in killing people either but does if it comes to it. Peeta works hard to protect Katness. Peeta and Katness do go to sleep together a few times but that is all they actually do, sleep. Nothing else is even hinted to or thought about. The games get a bit bloody sometimes

Personal Opinion - This was an exciting, captivating book. It was good I read this during Spring Break because one day I decided to do nothing but read. Even though there were occasions of telling, I didn't get bored and I just kept reading it.  The telling of the past events actually help in this instance to move the story along quicker to the Games but also gave the needed back-story to understand where the characters were coming from. I loved the fact that the characters never swore and the romance never went any farther than talking and kissing on occasion. I can't wait to get book 2 and see the movie now.

Awards - New York Times Best Seller. Check out the author's website for other awards.

Links - Learn more about the books and author here.
Visit the movie's website.

Buy - Amazon

Special Notes - This is the first book in a trilogy. Book 2, Catching Fire, and book 3, Mockingjay, are availible now.
Movie Review.

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Trapped

"The Day the Blizzard Started,
No One Knew that it was Going to Keep Snowing for a Week.
That for Those in its Path,
it Would Become not Just a Matter of Keeping Warm, 
But of Staying Alive."

Bookworm's Ranking - 2 Worms

Storyline - When a blizzard strikes the small town Scotty lives in, he remains behind to help his friend on a project. But soon things become worse than they thought and becomes one of seven stranded at the school for days. Not long after, power slowly goes, heat slowly goes, food becomes scarce, and the snow is ever rising. Can they live through this? Or will they all be lost to the storm?

Author - Michael Northrop

Publisher - Scholastic

Age Group - 16 and up

Content - Hints at teens being together and other such crass stuff. Made some disrespectful comments concerning religion. Scotty helps his friends and turns to God for help. He also helps his friend and stands by them.

Personal Opinion - I didn't enjoy this book that much. Maybe because I felt that Scotty just told you what was happening or because of the characters hinting at being together or making jokes like that. I thought much of what was happening with the character didn't seem completely realistic for what was happening around them. Such as flirting with a girl when you have no power, no heat, and have to live on the second floor because the snow covered all the windows on the first floor. I did like how Scotty stands by his friends and how they became a bit more serious in the end. The adventure about the snow piling up did get more exciting but I still didn't get into this book.
Video -

Awards - Spring 2011 Indie Next List selection, Barnes and Nobel "Must Read for Teens," 2012 TAYSHAS (Texas) High School Reading List selection, and some good reviews by several big name places.

Links - Learn more about the book and author at: http://michaelnorthrop.net/?page_id=7

To read, comment, and rate this and other reviews, stop by http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Bookworm's Ranking - 3.5 Worms

Storyline - Harry always thought he was just a regular kid with an aunt and uncle and cousin who didn't like him. But, when a letter arives to Hogwarts, the truth comes out that he is really a wizard. As he makes friends for the first time, he has to deal with teachers who don't like him and getting use to the magic. When mysterious things start happening and the potential of his parents' murderer of coming back, Harry Potter will have do what he can to stop him.

Author - J. K. Rowling

Publisher - Scholastic

Age Group - 13 and up

Content - Harry and his friends stood up for each other and others how needed help but broke rules several times with no consequence (okay, there some consequences). Dumbldore, the wizard in charge of the school, had lots of good advice for Harry. Some adults where portarayed pretty dumb and Harry often wanted revenge on his cousin and other relatives.

Personal Opinion - I never read Harry Potter when I was young so this was my first exposer to the books (I've seen a few of the movies) and I thought it wasn't bad. Yes, Harry wants revenge and disobeys the rules a bunch but I have read worse. Yes, there is also magic but it isn't that bad either. The author told you much the info, which I find irritating usually, but I was pulled into the story well. I have this book at 3 Worms because I'm not sure I can make a complete decision on the book unless I read the others.

Awards - New York Times Best Seller,

Links - Learn more about the books and author at: http://www.jkrowling.com/

To read, comment, and rate this and other reviews, stop by http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/

Closed for the Season

"The Weather-Beaten Sign on the Gate of the Magic Forest Says Closed for the Season"

Bookworm's Ranking - 3 Worms

Storyline - When Logan moves to a new town, he learns that the previous owner of the house his family has moved into was murdered there. The case was never solved. As he and his new friend look into the mystery, they come across a message which leads them into another mystery, one where money disappeared from the old theme park, The Magic Forest, which closed years before. It was believed the murdered woman stole the money but the boys don't think so. As they follow the clues, they wrestle with lies and scary individuals to finally find the truth.

Author - Mary Downing Hahn

Publisher - Sandpiper, Houghton Mifflin Publishing

Age Group - 12 and up

Content - No swearing but several times a character mentions that someone else does. One of the main things the book teaches is that you can't judge a book by the cover because the characters do not follow stereotypes. Logan disobeys his parents and then doesn't get punished for it too much (well the first time he does, it seems like the mom goes over board and the second mentions him getting lectured but it doesn't seem to do much of anything. The mom is actually portrayed as an un-understanding, controlling woman). The boys also steal something.

Personal Opinion - The book had a good story but it seemed disjointed sometimes and didn't flow very nice. The kids disobeyed a lot and, when the mom freaked out about it, you ended up not really liking her. Yet, they were being naughty but everyone else made it seem like not that big of a deal. But the mystery that the author came up with was good and so was the set up for it. I was thankful there wasn't any ghosts in it which I feared when I realized the author also writes ghost stories (not really a ghost story person). Nice book but won't recommend it too much.

Video - (Not exactly a trailer but cool none the less)

Awards - Edger Award for Best Juvenile Mystery

Links - Lean more about the book and author at:

To read, comment, and rate this and other reviews, stop by http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/

Blood of Kings: To Darkness Fled

"Enter Darkness..."

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

Storyline - Achan and Vrell have entered Darkness and are still running for their lives. But as a price is put on their heads, Achan needs to learn decorum and how to be king but is distracted by a suspicion that Vrell is hiding something. Vrell is doing all she can to help Achan and keep her identity a secret but it is getting more dangerous each day. Proposals, battles, growth in Arman, and trials face them as they try to restore Er'Rets.

Author - Jill Williamson

Publisher - Marcher Lord Press

Age Group - 16 and up

Content - Lots of proposals, both by Achan and the women. Disgusting men think inappropriately about  women. Achan learns much of Arman and giving his life to Him and trusting Him which was lovely. Vrell is always watching Achan's back and has to work throw her own deceit.

Personal Opinion - Enjoyed every page of it and then had to order book 3 not long after finishing this book (okay, it was the next day). Great how Achan comes to learn of Armon, decorum (which can be a funny process to behold), and how he wants to be when he is king. He is also kind to others such as strays and wants no one to suffer on account of him. Romance also begins to spark which is wonderful and well put together. The characters really grow and come to life.  Loved it and can't wait to see how it will all be wrapped up (that will also be sad because then it will be over). Well, can't have everything.

Video -

Awards - 2011 Christy Award in the Visionary category.

Links - Learn more about the series and author at: http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/the-blood-of-kings/

Other books: Book 1 review - http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/2011/05/blood-of-kings.html
                     Book 3 review - Coming Soon

To read, comment, and rate this and other reviews, stop by http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

 Bookworm's Ranking - 2 Worms

Storyline - After getting in trouble at his school on the Spokane Reservation, Junior decided that he wants to go to school in Reardan, a white school in the town 22 miles away, to try to make a better life for himself. During his freshman year, he deals with racism, crushes, the hate of his tribe, and loses as he tries to find his way and a place to belong and acceptance.

Author - Sherman Alexie

Publisher - Little, Brown and Company

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - Had some good lessons about fighting for yourself, getting out of bad situations, and forgiveness. He also came to see what revenge really was and showed that you have to work hard to make a better life for yourself but it is what is best in the end. There was also examples about what racisim looked like and how cruel and wrong it can be. But the book also had lots of sexual coments, an insolting comment about Christianity and other Christian religion negatives, and bad language. He blamed God for bad things that were happening, made fun of God, and the only time he thanked God was for something gross. I'm not asking for the character to become Christian but some respect would have been nice. Said he could kill himself and some others but was very depressed at the time from some precious people dying in his life.

Personal Opinion - Even though there were parts I liked, I would hesitate recommending this book because of some of the content within. I would have liked the book more if there had been less sexual content and the negative comments about Christianity hadn't been there but I really enjoyed the snappy comebacks that Junior came up with and the book leaving you with hope that he will make a better life for himself unlike some of the others in his tribe. At times, there was a lot of telling instead of showing in the book but it is in diary format so that works. The way it portrayed how bad drunkenness is and what it can do to you which had a sobering affect. If this is what it is truly like in school systems and for Native Americans, oh boy, it is sad.

Video -

Awards - 2007 National Book Award, 2008 Boston-Globe Horn Book Award, 2009 International Book on Books for Young People Sweden - Peter Pan Prize, 2010 California Young Reader Medal, and Finalis for the 2007 Los Angeles Times Book Prize. It has also been on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Links - Learn more about the book and author at: http://www.fallsapart.com/the_absolutely_true_diary_of_a_part_time_indian (P.S. This is the only book by this author that is for young adults)

To read, comment, and rate this and other reviews, stop by http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/

Blood of Kings

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

Storyline - Book 1 - By Darkness Hid - Achan is a nobody who has nobody. So when a legendary knight of the past offers him a squireship, he is confused, especially since strays are not allowed to serve in the Kingsguard anymore after the king was murdered and half the land went into darkness. When Achan's training is discovered, Sir Gavin disappears and Achan's life takes another unexpected tern. Things start to become confusing and dangerous. But, when the prince goes to the Counsel to receive the kingship, what will be discovered there will turn everyone's world upside down. Something more is going on here then anyone ever expected. Meanwhile, Vrell, a noble girl, is pretending to be a boy to escape the evil prince who wants to make her his queen, even by force. But when two Kingsguard come to take her to a new master for her rare gift, she has no choice but to go and try to continue to hid the truth. But as she starts learning to use her new skill of Bloodvoicing, she sense a powerful one who seems not to know what is going on and is in trouble. Everyone wants this one's gift but how is Vrell suppose to help him? And how long will she be able to keep her secret? And what will become of Achan as his world take an unexpected turn?

Author - Jill Williamson

Age Group - 15 and up (because it is meant for an older age group and it is quite large, intimidating younger people or just making them think "How am I going to read that?" or they might think they will get bored)

Content - The characters portray good traits. Achan does something to save a friend even though it is something that will not make him happy (sorry for being so vague but anymore detail will make it a big spoiler). Vrell tries to help Achan and protect him from those who would use him. Both are willing to help others. The distinction between good and evil are clear. Achan does wish others ill a few times. Vrell is lying about who she is but wants to do the right thing. The bad guys are creepy (but what do you expect). A few things are hinted at that makes this book more appropriate for teens and older.

Personal Opinion - What a great book. I can't believe I took so long in picking it up and read it but, when I did, I was shocked at how fast I went through it considering its size (10 pages short of 500. One of the longest books I have ever read. That is, outside of textbooks). There were a couple of times I thought it was going to get slow or I wanted to be reading about another character but then I would start reading and, within a paragraph to a page, I was hook on what was going on right there.  It took a little while for the Christian analogy stuff to come into the story but the parallels the author made were great but there are still things to learn because one of the characters knows very little of The Way. The characters themselves were wonderful and you really got interested in them and their situations.The pacing keeps the book moving nicely and is not hard to understand but still has great descriptions and well made back stories. I can't wait to read book two and see what happens to the characters and uncover the mysteries that you were left with in the end. This book deserves the award it won. A book I will highly recommend to my friends (one I will also want to discuss and debate with them on).

Awards - Winner of the 2010 Christy Award (http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/2010/06/28/by-darkness-hid-wins-christy-award/)

Links - Learn more about the book series and the author at: http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/the-blood-of-kings/ (you can also take a look at some trailers for the books at: http://jillwilliamson.wordpress.com/book-trailers/).

Other books: Book 2 review - http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/2011/10/blood-of-kings-to-darkness-fled.html
                    
Book 3 review - Coming Soon

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The Case for Christ

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

About - Lee Strobel has a degree in law and journalism and was a reporter for the Chicago Times. But when his wife turned to God, he went into an investigation to see how reliable the gospels were or if they were fake and/or riddled with myth. He sees expert after expert, challenging what the gospels say and what others say to get to the truth about Jesus. After a two year investigation, what he finds leaves him with the ultimate decision. Believe or not.

Author - Lee Strobel

Age Group - Teens and up (just because it is a deep topic and the language used and concepts might be hard for a younger person to grasp)

Writing - Each chapter started with some sort of legal case that the author had covered or knew about and then related that to what he was going to do next in his investigation on Jesus. All the chapters covered something important to show that Jesus is real and that the gospels are true. The book moved along at a good pace, covered each topic completely, and came to moving endings.

Personal Opinion - Wow. This book was great. I knew that people didn't believe in God but I didn't know some of the things they used to discredit the gospels or defenses they used to explain it away. I also never heard a lot of the challenge questions or beliefs before until the author asked them of his expert. But I am excited how the gospels and what is in them was defended by big scholars with PH. D.s and personal investigations. The chapters that moved me the most were the ones on the crucifixion, the Jewish convert's story, and the authors decision in the end. The author also gives good advise about if you are wanting to do some investigation of your own. It works well for a defense for any denomination of the faith on Jesus. There were a couple of spots I disagreed with but the only one coming to mind at the moment is how they kept saying that Jesus had a brother named James who was sceptical of him until after the Resurrection. The problem is that Catholics don't believe Jesus had any immediate brothers or sisters but someone would be called one if they were a close cousin. So James could have been related to Jesus but a cousin. But the book was really good and it defended the Christian faith beautifully. I borrowed this book from a friend and now want to get my own copy. With this book, I know more about Jesus and am even stronger in my own faith because of the things I learned.

Awards - The Gold Medallion Book Award

Links - Learn more about the author and book at: http://www.leestrobel.com/ . You can also learn more about the book at the publisher's site at: http://www.zondervan.com/cultures/en-us/Product/ProductDetail.htm?QueryStringSite=Zondervan&ISBN=0310226465 .

To read, comment, and rate this and other reviews, stop by http://bookwormreading.blogspot.com/

The Codebearer Series

Bookworm's Ranking - 5 Worms

Storyline - Book 1 - Hunter Brown and the Secret of the Shadow - When a prank goes south, Hunter is mysteriously sent to this book shop where he ends up with a book. But this is no ordinary book. After reading some of it, he is whisked off to the land of Solandria where he is trained to be a Codebearer and fight the Shadow. Then he is sent on a mission by Aviad, the son of the Author, to recover the Bloodstone. But he doesn't realize how this mission will change him forever. Will Hunter be able to trust the Author, even if it means death?
Book 2 - Hunter Brown and the Consuming Fire - Hunter has returned home and it is the beginning of the school year. But it isn't going very well. His friends and classmates thinks he's weird when he talks about Solandria and no one believes him. But then Hunter gets a message from a Codebearer captain who needs help. He returns to Solandria shortly after to find the Resistance in trouble and sent on a task to deliver the Consuming Fire to the chosen seven. Who are the seven? Will Hunter be able to complete his mission? Will the Shadow be able to reclaim him?
Book 3 - Hunter Brown and the Eye of Ends - Hunter has lost his memory. He can't remember his last trip to Solandria or what happened. Suddenly, he finds himself being chased on all sides and urgently needs to find his missing father, who he has not seen in three years, and return to Solandria. No where is safe. A Watcher is also tracking his every move who wants Hunter's father and what he possesses. The end of the Author's story. Will Hunter find his lost memory? Is what his father saw true? Will the Shadow take control of the story?

Author - The Miller Brothers

Age Group - 12 or 13 and up

Positive - Filled with abundant Christian analogies that I can't begin to list them all. Hunter grows much over the series and learns to trust and be faithful to the  Author and his son, Aviad. He also learns about others and see things in new ways, over coming many trials along the way. Hunter stands up for his friends and what he believes in, even as the temptations and tests get harder and Aviad asks for the biggest sacrifice.

Negative - Out of the entire series, there is only one thing I wish had been done different. There was this one character that had been evil but had turned around but Hunter didn't trust him or forgive him. He did start to come around a little but I wish the book had shown Hunter change his feelings more.

Writing - Funny, original writing. A laugh even during serious times. You can just attach yourself to the characters and understand what they are going through and are feeling. The analogies are original and fresh and give you deeper meaning on different things on the Christian faith. The pace is good and keeps the story going without leaving out details or slowing down even when details are added.  Keeps you laughing and interested and excited and moved through the whole thing. A captivating book series.

Personal Opinion - Okay, take the scene from Tangled were Rupunzel is swinging around the tree by her hair yelling, "Best day ever!" and replace Rupunzel with me and the word "day" with "series" and you pretty much got what I feel for the Codebearer Series. I still laugh when I read the first chapter in the first book (even when I just think about it, a smile comes to my face it is so funny). It is full of humor but it doesn't take anything away from the story, it just adds great laughs. The  characters, back stories, description, analogies, and writing was very well done and not too slow, not too fast, or too much or too little information. I was excited (almost obsessed) with each book that came out and would love more on Solandria. Hunter was a character that you just enjoyed getting to know during his journey and seeing his growth in the Author. I can't remember who said it (me or another fan) but the characters seem like someone you could actually meet, they seem so real (okay, it was probably someone else who said that but I totally agree). The Miller Brothers know how to put a good book together and make characters that you can understand and relate to. Will read everything they write. Recommend to practically everyone because there is something that every person can enjoy. A Chronicles of Narnia for a tiny bit older age group. Via, Veritas, Vita.

Disclaimer - I'm not sure if I have to add this but just in case, I received book 3, Hunter Brown and the Eye of Ends, for free from the publishers for pre-reading and writing a short review for the front of the book. My opinions of this book is exactly as it says.

Links - Learn more about the books and authors at: http://www.millerbrothersbooks.com/ .

Awards - Book 1 - 2009 Bronze Moonbeam Award in Pre-Teen Fiction - Fantasy
Book 2 - 2010 Bronze Moonbeam Award in Pre-Teen Fiction - Fantasy

Special Notes - The book series also has a forum.

The Star Trilogy

Bookworm's Ranking - 3-4 Worms

Storyline - Book 1 - The Dragon Boy -A boy with no name and no place to go is finally about to make his dream come true to work next to the kingdom's dragon, Star. The boy gets a name and begins to make friends and enemies. Soon the boy is given a great task to wash the dragon and learns many secrets, and starts to get a few of his own. But when one of these secrets get out, there's trouble. What will happen to him now?
Book 2 - The Dragon of Two Hearts - Michael, the boy now a man, has heard about a dragon terrorizing the kingdom of Gladur Nock. As he heads that way to face it, he learns about the desperate plight of the people and a cruel king. He is taken to train with other warriors to face the dragon but, when he meets the beautiful princess, he's not too sure if he wants to go to his death. Can he defeat the evil Scorch? And, if he does, how will he concur the evil king?
 
Author - Donald Samson

Age Group - 11 or 12 and up

Positive - Interesting books. Star and the boy have a great love for each other. The boy stands by Star no matter what. When Michael goes after the evil dragon in book 2, he is willing to give up his life in order to save others. He learns great lessons though about who he is and how even he is not as good as he claims to be. He learns other lessons along with that but I will leave some of those for the reader to find.

Negative -I wish the boy hadn't given in to his angry so easily or at least learned that sometimes it isn't right to return the favor in the first book and, in the second, he planed to get even with a bully. I think you are suppose to get that the main character changes in several aspects of himself but it didn't mention this feeling of revenge specifically. Also, I wasn't too big on the idea of a dragon going back and forth of being good, then, after a time, returning to being wild. It just didn't seem right to make it sound that it was okay to go back and forth of being good and evil. They kind of made a point with this but I still wasn't too found of it. Two bad guys also talk about women in terms of what land and status they can get by marring them.

Writing - The books are written with simple wording and easy vocabulary. But the pace do differ between them. The first one was good. It moved at an alright pace and the characters were nicely created (I did find it strange how the boy kept saying "my love" to the dragon because that doesn't seem like something a boy would say but I don't know). Book two, though, seemed like it was a little slow in getting to the main story but their was a lot of information to go through to understand certain things latter on. But it didn't capture my attention very well. When it came to the time after the man fought the dragon, I got more interested and the story picked up pace.

Personal Opinion - I liked book 1 more than book two, mostly because I thought it was slower and it didn't capture my interest as much until much later on in the book. The books are clean and simply told. I kind of wish the main character didn't grow up by book two because I think kids like to read books about kids (at least that is what I assume because of how many book I've read that are for young adults that have young adults as the main character). Even though book two was much slower and less liked than book one, I am curious to see what happens in book 3 so I think I might read it but I am not so excited for it that I will go right out and get it as soon as I can.

Links - Learn more about the books and author at: http://www.thedragonboy.com/ .

Awards - For book 1 - Winner of the Moonbeam Awards gold medal for Best First Book in 2009. For the Mom's Choice Award, silver medal for Fantasy, Myth, and Legends. A finalist for the Eric Hoffer Book Awards in Young Adult Fiction in 2010.
For book 2 - The silver medal in Young Adult Fantasy in the Moonbeam Awards in 2010. For the Mom's Choice Awards, silver medal in Fantasy, Myth, and Legends. In the Austin Waldorf School Children's Choice Award, Silver Medal in the 5th-6th Grades category.

Summer of the Swans

Storyline - Sara is an ordinary teen whose life is falling apart because her shoes are the wrong color and she's not pretty enough. But when her mentally handicap brother goes missing, she learns about what really matters in life and forgiving others, even when it means admitting you were wrong.

Author -Betsy Byars

Age Group - 9 or 10 and up

Positive - Sara learns a lot about family and what is really important in life. She also learns not to make quick assumptions about people and to forgive when found wrong. Aunt informs Sara about an someone who was consumed with hate for certain people to the day he died and told her not to be like him.

Negative - Sara is a little bit of a brat in the beginning but then she wouldn't have a chance to grow. She tries to justify when she takes revenge on people for her handicapped brother but her aunt tries to tell her that holding on to angry will just consume her life. I think she got this in the end.

Finish - A sweet tale about life and a teenager growing up for childish things to seeing the more important things in life and appreciating family. There is an interesting metaphor at the end about life and what we do with it but I'll leave that for your own interpretation.

Links - None but can learn more at wikipedia

Awards - 1971 Newbery Award winner

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The Dragon Boy

A boy with no name and no place to go is finally about to make his dream come true to work next to the kingdom's dragon, Star. The boy gets a name and begins to make friends and enemies. Soon the boy is given a great task to wash the dragon and learns many secrets and starts to get a few of his own. But when one of these secrets get out, the boy gets in trouble. What will happen to him now?

The characters are interesting and I am curious as to what happens next. I wish Star had been a little more protective of the boy and understanding. Once in a while it seemed like he didn't care. But the book does make clear that Star is an animal so that might have something to do with it. I also wish the boy hadn't given in to his angry so easily or at least learned that sometimes it isn't right to return the favor. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes dragons. It's clean, has a good storyline, and leaves you wondering what life has in store for the characters in the future.

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The Berinfell Prophecies

The Berinfell Prophecies tells the story of seven elf lords of Allrya. In the Curse of the Spider King, the elf lords are taken from their birth home and hidden on a strange planet called earth. The enemy hide them there so as to destroy the elf's royal line and obey their master, the Spider King, who wanted them dead. Elves of their land has been searching for them for years but the rescue is a bit of a challenge because the lords are thirteen, think they are humans, have adopted families, and think 'how could the possibly be royalty of another world?'

In book two, Venom and Song, the lords return home to find their people hiding and in danger of being killed if ever found. Also, their is a prophecy saying they are going to kill the Spider King and free the elves. Not a lot to lay on a thirteen year old's shoulder, right? While learning to fight, they discover things about their past and that there is this ancient weapon called the Rainsong that they must find in order to win the coming war.

This book was good. I really enjoyed the characters and the two authors, Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper, know how to put a story together. Each character had their own battle they had to face which brought great examples of forgiveness, sacrifice, trust, and acceptance of one's self. An example of how anger and hate is a destroyer was also in the book. The characters learn about how to trust God even in the most desperate circumstance and that no matter what, no matter what anyone has ever called or treated you as, he loves you (something all of us should remember).The book is meant for those 12 and up and is an excellent book for anyone looking for a decent story for a young adult.

You can learn more about the authors at http://www.enterthedoorwithin.blogspot.com/ and at http://www.christopherhopper.com/.

The book is a silver medalist for the Moonbeam Award in 2009 in the Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy/Sci Fi and is also nominated for the 2010 Clive Staples Award for Christian Speculative Fiction.

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