A Corner of White and The Cracks in the Kingdom

Moriarty, Jaclyn. A Corner of White.  Arthur A. Levine Books, New York: 2013.  373 pages Tr. $17.99 ISBN 9780545397360

Plot Summary
Madeline Tully used to be a rich girl, living all over the world, but now she and her mother, Holly, live in a little flat in Cambridge where Madeline is homeschooled with her friends Jack and Belle.  Madeline misses her old life and she is concerned that her mother might be seriously ill.  One day Madeline finds a note sticking out of a broken parking meter and decides to respond by writing a letter about her troubles.  In the Kingdom of Cello Elliot Baranski finds Madeline's note in broken T.V. set.  Right away Elliot realizes that Madeline is writing from the World and that he has found a crack between Cello and the World.  Curious Elliot responds to Madeline, telling her about Cello, beginning a strange and wonderful friendship between two teen from different worlds.

Critical Review
A Corner of White is a lovely tale of a friendship between two teens.  Both Elliot and Madeline face enormous challenges and tragedies in the story and in part persevere because of their shared correspondence.  Moriarty's novel is both funny and sad, at once entirely real and completely magical.  A charming a fantastical novel, I loved every page!

WARNING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS
Moriarty, Jaclyn. The Cracks in the Kingdom.  Arthur A. Levine Books, New York: 2014.  480 pages Tr. $18.99 ISBN 9780545397384 
Reviewed from electronic galley obtained via Netgalley.com

Plot 
The Cracks in the Kingdom is the second in The Colors of Madeline series by Jaclyn Moriarty.  The book opens with Elliot having just been made a member of the Royal Youth Alliance, which is actual a front for a group led by the Princess Ko to find the missing members of the Cello royal family.  A year earlier all the members of the royal family were kidnapped and taken to the World except for Princess Ko, who has been running the country and simultaneously hiding the disappearance of her family from the country.  Elliot's assignment is to convince his friend in the World, Madeline, to help locate the missing monarchs and to find a way to cross over to the world.  While he and Madeline work on breaching the crack they continue to growing closer, confiding in and relying on each other's presence.

Critical Review
A fabulous follow-up to A Corner of White!  Moriarty has upped the suspend with the kidnapping of the royal family and provided Elliot and Madeline a reason to continue their correspondence, which they were on the brink of ceasing.  Moriarty character development is masterful; giving her characters very realistic obstacles and human flaws.  Cellos is a remarkable place, full of Colors, magic, and ever changing seasons; if only I could find my own crack!  The Cracks in the Kingdom is a charming fantasy and just as touching and beautiful as A Corner of White.

Genre
Fantasy

Reading/Interest Level
Grades 7 and up

Author's Website
http://www.jaclynmoriarty.com/

Anya's Ghost

Brosgol, Vera. Anya’s Ghost. First Second, 2011. 221 pages, $19.99 ISBN: 9780316056212 (trade) 

Plot Summary:

Walking to school one day Anya stumbles into an open pit, where she encounters the remains and the ghost of the last person to fall down the pit.  Lucky for Anya she is rescued, but the ghost hitches a ride when one of her bones ends up in Anya’s bag.  Initially Anya is annoyed by the ghosts hitchhiking, but when she helps Anya cheat on her test and impresses Anya’s crush, Anya changes her mind about having the ghost around.  That is until the ghost starts getting demanding and Anya discovers the true nature of her dead friend and how she really died.  

Critical Review:

Brosgol’s first book is a stunning graphic novel.  Anya is a funny and clever narrator struggling with fitting in without betraying her Russian and Jewish heritage.  Like many teens Anya feels like an outsider and yearns to fit in and be accepted by her classmates.  Brosgol’s graphic style of drawing is similar to the style of artist and writer Marjane Satrapi. 

Genre:

Graphic Novel

Fantasy

Multicultural

Interest Level:

Grades 7 and up

Similar Books:

Persepolis Marjane Satrapi

Subjects/Themes:

Ghosts

Teenage girls

High School

Judaism

Awards/Honors:

ALA Notable Children’s Books 2012

Cybil Award 2011

School Library Journal Best Books 2011

YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2012

YALSA Top 10 Graphic Novels for Teens 2012

Author’s Website:

http://verabee.com/

Annotation:

After falling down an old well Anya meets a ghost who returns home with her and becomes her new friend. 

Ghostopolis

TenNapel, Doug. Ghostopolis. Scholastic, 2010. 262 pages, $24.99 ISBN: 9780545210270 (trade)

Plot Summary:

TenNapel’s graphic novel revolves around Garth, a terminally ill teen who is accidentally sent to the afterlife by affable ghost hunter Frank Gallows.  Determined to rescue Garth, Frank enlists the help of his ex-girlfriend and ghost Claire Voyent to help him travel to the afterlife.  Meanwhile, Garth finds himself in a strange land with only a ghost horse named Skinny as a friend until he runs into someone who knows him, his grandfather.  With the help of Skinny and his grandfather Garth makes it to the capitol of Ghostopolis, where he meets up with Frank and Claire who have recently landed in the afterlife.  Unbeknownst to Garth, the ruler of Ghostopolis, Vaugner sees the living boy as a threat and enlists his minions to capture him and his accomplices.  In order to return home Garth must defeat the evil Vaugner and restore peace to the afterlife. 

Critical Review:

Doug TenNapel has created a classic hero tale in his boldly illustrated graphic novel Ghostopolis.  Garth’s sudden appearance in the afterlife and his mission to defeat the evil overlord and bring peace coincides with the classic hero archetype.  TenNapel’s characters are well developed and his illustrations are bright and beautifully colored.  Ghostopolis is an edgy, fast paced, tongue in cheek tale that will leave readers wanting more. 

Genre:

Graphic Novel

Fantasy

Adventure

Interest Level:

Grades 9 and up

Similar Books:

Anya’s Ghost Vera Brosgol

Subjects/Themes:

Death/dying

Tyranny

Author’s Website:

http://tennapel.com/

Annotation:

Ghostopolis is an edgy graphic novel in which teen Garth must defeat the evil overlord of the afterlife and bring peace to Ghostopolis. 

The One and Only Ivan

Applegate, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan. Harper, New York, 2012. 305 pages.  Tr. $16.99 ISBN 9780061992254

Plot Description:

Ivan is a silver back gorilla who has spent most of his life living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall.  Though Ivan was born in the wild, he does not remember much about his parents or his sister, since he was captured and sold as a baby.  When Ivan was young and cute he drew a large crowd at the Exit 8 mall, but now he mostly spends his days in his domain watching television or drawing picture to be sold in the gift shop.  Ivan’s only friends are Bob and stray dog, Stella the elephant in the cage next to his and Julia, the daughter of the janitor, who comes into work with her father and draws with Ivan.  Then one day the Exit 8 mall gets a new resident, a baby elephant named Ruby.  Ruby is understandably scared, but Stella immediately takes to the younger elephant.  But Stella is sick and knows she will die soon, so she charges Ivan with taking care of Ruby and he makes it his mission to find a better home for Ruby. 

Review:

Applegate’s The One and Only Ivan is a sweet tale about friendship and love.  The One and Only Ivan is a quick read that will pull at your heartstrings and when you read about how Ivan, Stella, and Ruby are mistreated.  Despite the emotional element in Applegate’s Newberry winning novel, I did not feel particularly attached to the characters and believe Applegate could have done more to develop the personalities of the animals.  While Applegate could have developed her characters a bit more, the overall tone of the story is charming, which is accentuated by the cute illustrations by Patricia Castelao.

Genre:

Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest Level:

Grades 4-7

Similar Books:

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Awards/Honors:

ALA Notable Children’s Book 2013

Newbery Award 2013

Author’s Website:

http://theoneandonlyivan.com/

Scumble

Law, Ingrid. Scumble. 2010. Dial Books for Young Readers, 400 pages. $16.99 ISBN: 9780803733077

Plot Summary:

Ledger, Ledge, Kale and his family are on their way to his Uncle Autry’s ranch in Wyoming for his cousin Fish Beaumont’s wedding. Ledge spends the trip sitting in the back of the minivan trying not to blow the whole car apart. You see, Ledge and his family are special, savvy special. A savvy is a unique magical ability that manifests at age 13 in Ledge’s family and Ledge just turned 13 the week before. Ledge is disappointed in his savvy and his new found ability to break any man-made object and is having a hard time controlling his new power which is evident to the whole family when Ledge takes down his Uncle Autry’s barn on top of them all. Ledge’s parents decide Ledge and his sister should spend the summer at the ranch while Ledge learns to scumble or control his new power. Trouble ensues when Ledge meets local girl Sarah Jane and gets caught up in her tall tales.

Critical Review:

Scumble is Law’s companion to her previous novel, Savvy and is just as good as its predecessor. Scumble takes place eight years after Savvy and Mibs Beaumonts memorable thirteenth birthday and centers around her cousin Ledge. Scumble brings back old characters, but the story is all Ledge’s, though I did enjoy knowing how things turned out for Mibs and Will. Ledge is a frustrated teenager and spends a lot of his time running away from his savvy and himself and being afraid of his new power. Scumble is another winning coming of age story with just as much adventure and twists and turns as Savvy.

Genre:

Fantasy

Interest/Reading Level:

4^th grade to 7^th grade

Similar Books:

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Author’s Website:

http://www.ingridlaw.com/

Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword

Deutsch, Barry. Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword. 2010. Abrams, 137 pages. $15.95 ISBN: 9780810984226

Plot Summary:

Mirka likes her stepmother, Fruma, despite that Fruma is extremely argumentative. In fact Mirka sometimes argues with her stepmother for amusement. One day Mirka loses her way and stumbles upon the house of a witch. Later she brings her siblings and Mirka eats one of the witch’s grapes and is then attacked by a monster. The monster is actually a very ferocious pig, but seeing as no one in Hereville eats pork, being a Jewish town, Mirka has never seen a pig before and understandable mistakes this particular vicious pig for a monster. The pig continues to harass her and steal her homework, until finally Mirka confronts the pig. Not expecting an answer Mirka is surprised when the pig tells her that she is guilty of stealing from the pig’s mistress and that the pig will continue to harass Mirka in punishment. Not one to back down Mirka tries to trap the pig and after almost drowning each other, Mirka and the pig come to a truce.

Later in the day Mirka stumbles upon the pig again, only this time he has been trapped by some older boys. Mirka rescues the pig and as a reward the witch tells Mirka where can find her own sword. The only catch is that the sword is guarded by a troll that Mirka must defeat. The witch does not tell Mirka how to defeat the witch, but tells her that her stepmother has all the information Mirka needs. Mirka is determined to learn how to defeat the troll and get a sword of her own.

Critical Review:

Hereville is based on the hit web comic of the same name, but with all new artwork and an extended story. Mirka is an unstoppable and courageous heroine. Hereville is not only a comedic adventure, but also informative about the Orthodox Jewish faith. Deutsch describes the weekly celebration of Shabbos. This was a fun graphic novel, filled with humor. My favorite part was Mirka’s battle with the pig, which Deutsch successfully sold as a monster.

Genre:

Humorous Fiction

Graphic Novel

Fantasy

Interest/Reading Level:

5^th to 7^th grades

Similar Books:

Into the Volcano by Don Wood

Rapunzle’s Revenge by Shannon Hale

Awards/Honors:

Andre Norton Award Nominee 2010

Eisner Nomination 2011

YALSA Best Graphic Novels for Teens 2011

Author’s Website:

http://www.amptoons.com/

Book Website:

http://www.hereville.com/webcomic/

The Magic Thief

Prineas, Sarah. The Magic Thief. 2008. Harper Collins Publishers, 419 pages. $16.99 ISBN: 9780061375873.

Plot Summary:

When Conn an orphaned pickpocket steals the wizard Nevery’s locus magicalicus and is unharmed Nevery takes Conn on as an apprentice. As an apprentice Conn is sent to school at the Acedemicos where he becomes friends with Rowan. Conn is given a month to find a locus stone of his own and spends days searching the city. During this time Conn is also gathering evidence on the problem Nevery was investigating, about who is stealing the city’s magic. Though Nevery does not believe it, Conn is convinced that Underlord Crowe is involved with the missing magic. It is not until he searches the Sunrise district of the city that Conn finds his locus stone in the form of the Duchess’s emerald. With help from Nevery the Duchess relinquishes her emerald to Conn, who proves to be a powerful wizard with a locus magicalicus to focus his spells. When Conn is attacked by the Underlord’s minion’s he is even more convinced that Underlord Crowe is involved in the missing magic and sets out to prove it.

Critical Review:

Prineas weaves an intriguing mystery in The Magic Thief. The missing magic is not the only mystery Prineas presents, Conn himself is a mystery and the reader learns something new about the hero with every page. It seems that adults never listen to Conn, something many readers might relate to. Conn is constantly underestimated by friends and enemies alike, but in the end he proves to be smart, resourceful and powerful.

Genre:

Mystery

Fantasy

Interest/Reading Level:

4^th to 6^th grades

Similar Books:

Fablehaven by Brandon Mull

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach

Awards:

2008 Cybil Award Finalist

Author’s Website:http://www.sarah-prineas.com/

Book Website:

http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/kids/gamesandcontests/features/magicthief/

Ella Enchanted

Levine, Gail. Ella Enchanted. 1997. Harper Trophy, 232 pages. $16.99 ISBN 0060275111

Plot Summary:

Ella of Frell has been cursed since birth when meddling fairy Lucinda gave Ella the “gift” of obedience. Ever since Ella has to obey any command she is given. Only two people know about Ella’s curse: her mother and beloved fairy godmother Mandy. When Ella’s mother passes away her father sends her to finishing school with the obnoxious daughters of Dame Olga, Hattie and Olive. It does not take Hattie long to figure out Ella’s secret and she proceeds to make Ella’s life miserable until Ella runs away from school determined to find Lucinda and put an end to her terrible curse. Along the way Ella encounters Prince Charmont, or Char, with whom she develops a friendship that continues through letters and eventually turns into more.

Unable to contact Lucinda, Ella returns home to find her father broke and proposing marriage to the Dame Olga. So much for escaping Hattie’s torture; with her father travelling constantly, Ella is now forced to become a servant in her own home. When Ella realizes her curse could be used against Prince Char she knows she must find a way to break the curse or give up the man she loves.

Critical Review:

In Ella Enchanted Levine puts a new spin on Cinderella. Despite her curse of obedience, Ella is free thinking and a little bit rebellious! Ella is independent and in the end determines not to be used and bullied by others. Ella does not wait around to be saved, she realizes that the only person who can control her fate is herself.

Genre:

Fantasy

Interest/Reading Level:

5^th to 8^th grade

Similar Books:

Savvy by Ingrid Law

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

The Tale of the Frog Princess by E.D. Baker

Awards:

Newberry Honor Medal 1998

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 1998

Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children’s Literature 1999 Finalist

ALA Notable Children’s Book 1998

Author’s Website:

http://www.gailcarsonlevine.com/

The Mostly True Story of Jack

Barnhill, Kelly. The Mostly True Story of Jack. Little Brown and Company, New York, 2011. 323 pages.  Tr. $16.99 ISBN 9780316056700

Plot Description:

Jack is not excited about the prospects of his summer vacation; because of his parent’s divorce he is being shipped off to spend the summer in Hazelwood, Iowa with the aunt and uncle he has never met.  Hazelwood is a strange place, for starters people in Hazelwood seem to notice Jack; in the past Jack has always faded into the background and was easily overlooked by those around him.  Not only is the whole town aware of Jack’s arrival, for the first time in his life he has friends.  The longer Jack stays in Hazelwood the more strange things begin to happen and Jack begins to realize this may not be his first time in Hazelwood after all and the everything he thought he knew is wrong.

Review:

The Mostly True Story of Jack is a complexly woven story of false identities and magical bargains.  Anyone who has ever felt like an outsider will relate to Jack and will rejoice in his discovery of finding a place where he feels like he belongs.  Barnhill’s debut children’s novel is a bit slow to start, but readers are quickly caught up in uncovering Jack’s mysterious connection to Hazelwood.  The Mostly True Story of Jack is a welcome and wondrous stand alone fantasy novel. 

   

Genre:

Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest Level:

Grades 5-7

Similar Books:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Scumble by Ingrid Law

Author’s Website:

http://kellybarnhill.wordpress.com/

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of her own Making

Valente, Catherynne M. Ana Juan, Illustrator. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her own Making. 2011. Feiwel and Friends, 247 pages. $16.99 ISBN 9780312649616

Plot Summary:

September is whisked away from Omaha by the Green Wind upon the Leopard of Gentle Breezes. The Green Wind leaves September at the borderland of Fairyland with a warning not to eat any fairy food and a wish for her to enjoy herself. Right away September meets a trio of witches and agrees to retrieve their magic spoon from the evil Marquess who stole it because the spoon tells the future. On her way to confront the Marquess in the capitol Pandemonium, September meets a wyverary (part wyvern part library) library named A through L, Ell for short. Ell is walking to Pandemonium to meet his grandfather the Municipal City Library and joins September in her travels. September’s quest is really just beginning when she is brought before the Marquess, who sends September on a quest to retrieve a sword from the Autumn realms in exchange for the spoon the live of Ell. Upon leaving the Marquess September picks up another friend, Saturday, who September frees from the Marquess. Together with Ell and Saturday, September set out for Autumn on a quest that will take them farther than they ever imagined.

Critical Review:

Valente’s first foray into children’s literature is an imaginative quest through Fairyland. The story itself is told beautifully and September is a lovable and stalwart heroine. The interest level is more juvenile than the reading level. This would be a great book for a teacher to read to her class and she could do vocabulary lessons using some of the more difficult words in the book. I would also recommend this for younger middle grade readers who are looking for something with a slightly more challenging reading level.

Genre:

Fantasy

Interest Level:

4^th to 7^th grade

Similar Books:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Awards/Honors:

Andre Norton Award 2010

Author’s Website:

http://www.catherynnemvalente.com/

http://www.catherynnemvalente.com/fairyland/

http://us.macmillan.com/thegirlwhocircumnavigatedfairylandinashipofherownmaking/CatherynneMValente

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Lin, Grace. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. 2009. Little Brown and Company Books for Young Readers, 278 pages. $16.99. ISBN: 9780316114271

Plot Summary:

Minli has grown up listening to her father’s stories of Old Man of the Moon and Never Ending Mountain. After a magic goldfish tells Minli how to find Never Ending Mountain, Minli sets out to change the fortune of her impoverished family. Along the way Minli meets Dragon, who wishes to learn how to fly and join Minli on her journey. Along the way Minli and Dragon make many friends and hear many stories. When Minli finally meets Old Man of the Moon she is only allowed one question and she must decide whether to ask the Dragon’s question or how to change her family’s fortune.

Critical Review:

In Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Grace Lin elegantly interweaves together folklore and fantasy in this original story. Lin incorporates short stories about the different characters Minli meets into Minli’s story. Minli is a brave and open hearted heroine who is not shy about sticking up for the less fortunate and proves to be a loyal friend. Lin also contributes beautiful fully colored paintings to Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. This is sure to be a cherished classic for years to come.

Genre:

Fantasy

Adventure

Reading Level:

3^rd to 6^th grade

Similar Books:

The Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum

Awards/Honors:

2010 Newbery Honor Book

2010 ALA Notable Children’s Book

2009 Cybil Award Finalist

Author’s Website:

http://www.gracelin.com/

Liesl and Po

Oliver, Lauren. Illustrator, Acedera, Kei Liesl and Po. 2011. Harper, 307 pages. TR. $16.99 ISBN: 9780062014511

Plot Summary:

Liesl wants nothing more than to put her father to rest and escape the house of her stepmother where she is locked in the attic day and night. Po and Bundle are ghosts who wander the other side, one night they are drawn to cross over and visit Liesl as she looks so sad and lonely. Will passes by Liesl’s window every night as he does his work for his master the alchemist. Little do the children know everything is about to change and it all starts when Will mixes up his package of magic he is suppose to deliver to the Lady Premiere with the package of Liesl’s father’s ashes waiting to be delivered.

Liesl with the help of Po and Bundle, escapes the attic and steals the package of what she believes to be her father’s ashes, but in reality is the great magic. At the same time Will is on the run from the Lady Premiere and the alchemist, who have discovered his mistake and are furious, convinced Will stole the magic for himself. Both on the run, the children join together and commence an incredible journey.

Review:

In Liesl and Po, Oliver creates a fairytale complete with magic, neglected orphans, and evil step-mothers. Oliver weaves a complex and exciting story that will keep readers engaged. Delightful illustrations by Kei Acedera are interspersed throughout the novel, bringing life to Oliver’s words. At times the plot and number of characters are hard to follow, but all loose ends are woven together brilliantly and all is revealed in the end of this charming novel.

Genre:

Fantasy

Reading Level:

4^th to 7^th grade

Similar Books:

Magic Thief by Sarah Prineas

Author’s Website:

http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/

The Apothecary

Meloy, Maile. The Apothecary. G.P. Putnam’s Sons New York, 12012. 353 pages.  Tr. $16.99 ISBN 9780399256271

Plot Description:

The Apothecary is a historical fantasy that takes place at the height of McCarthyism in America.  Janie and her parents, who are both screen writers, are forced to move from Hollywood to rainy London, in order to avoid being blacklisted.  Janie finds it difficult to adjust to life in England until she meets Benjamin, the local apothecary’s son and Janie’s schoolmate.  Benjamin teaches Janie the intricacies of chess and tells her about his aspirations to work for MI-5 as a spy.  Soon, Janie is drawn into Benjamin’s amateur spying, but things become serious when they spy Benjamin’s father with a suspected Russian spy.  Soon after Benjamin’s father disappears and the apothecary is ransacked by Communist soldiers.  Before he disappeared, Benjamin’s father entrusted him with a strange book full of recipes for spells and charms.  It does not take long for Janie and Benjamin to realize the Russians are after a lot more than government secrets and that Benjamin’s father is intimately involved. 

Review:

Meloy’s first children’s novel is a wonderfully imaginative adventure and take on history.  Meloy recreated the terror of the Cold War, but in Meloy’s world there is not only the threat of nuclear weapons to worry about, but magic as well.  Meloy develops her characters carefully and builds the tension of the Cold War gradually before picking up the pace of the adventure.  The Apothecary is a novel like no other and readers will be left in anticipation of a sequel. 

Genre:

Fantasy

Historical Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level:

Grades 5-8

Similar Books:

The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer

Awards/Honors:

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2012

Author’s Website:

http://www.mailemeloy.com/mailemeloy/Home.html

The Mark of Athena

Riordan, Rick. The Mark of Athena. Disney Hyperion Books, New York, 2012. 586 pages.  Tr. $19.99 ISBN 9781423140603

Plot Description:

The Mark of Athena begins as Annabeth and Percy are reunited at last, after months of separation thanks to the meddling of Hera/Juno.  Annabeth along with fellow demigods, Piper, Leo, and Jason, arrives in New Rome in the Argo II, a flying ship with a fire breathing, bronze, dragon figurehead.  The Romans perceive the Greeks as a threat and the Greeks barely have time to explain that the Greeks and Romans must join forces if they are to defeat Gaia’s minions and prevent her from awakening.  Percy and the Roman demigods, Hazel and Frank join the quest as the rest of the Romans drive the Argo II out of New Rome and the heroes head from the original Rome.  In Rome the heroes aim to rescue Hazel’s brother and fellow demigod Nico D’Angelo, the son of Hades, who is being held hostage by Gaia’s minions.  Annabeth, however, has her own mission in Rome, assigned to her by her mother, Athena.  Annabeth is meant to follow the mark of Athena and fight an unknown and undefeated foe in order to right and ancient slight the Roman’s committed against Athena.

Review:

The Mark of Athena is the third book in Rick Riordan’s Heroes of Olympus series and picks up right where The Son of Neptune ended.  With The Mark of Athena, Riordan delivers another fast-paced adventure fantasy that will not leave readers disappointed.  Riordan will gain new fans with this series and will please Percy Jackson fans with the return of favorite characters Percy and Annabeth.  In addition to a thrilling adventure story, readers will also learn much about figures from Greek and Roman mythology in Riordan’s latest middle grade novel.

Genre:

Adventure

Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest Level:

Grades 6-9/Grades 4-10

Similar Books:

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan

Author's Website:
http://www.rickriordan.com/home.aspx