Origami (Klutz S.) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this book for my 10-year-old daughter, and she loved it. The directions are clear, and the projects are easy, fun, and even useful: an airplane, secret letter, penguin, star box, blow-up bunny, picture frame, parrot, hopping frog, seal, and magic star. Like all Klutz books, it's sturdy and visually appealing. I only wish they had more projects to keep my daughter busy!

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Super-clear instructions for ten simple and satisfying origami creations, from the hopping frog (he really hops!) to the magic star. Comes with enough square origami paper, in variety of colors and patterns, to fold each project over and over and over again.

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The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)Let's face it, fantasy is a well-worn genre, bloated with Tolkein ripoffs, tired generic plots and characters. There seems to be no end to the stuff...and no shortage of readers who'll swallow it. And to this we can add a new type of fantasy that is fast reaching critical mass for younger readers...the Harry Potter clone. Check the young readers section of your local bookstore and you'll find literally dozens of books about young boy and girl wizards. As the saying goes, everyone wants to be the first to do something second.
There is nothing new in fantasy, only old wine in new bottles. So when a new fantasy comes along that actually feels new its a red letter day in my book.
That rant is by way of saying that this wonderful book avoids the pitfalls of many fantasy writers simply by virtue of the writing. A few years back David (and Leigh) Eddings burst onto the fantasy scene with their original Belgariad books. Plot-wise they were simply Tolkein retreads without the epic mthology. But what made them so readable, and so popular, was the original and entertaining voice with which they told their tales.
So it is with Jonathan Stroud. This is a fun, wry, funny, well-charactered piece about a modern London where magicians rule the land and magic comes in the form of controlling various levels of demons (or djinn). Set amidst the political intrigue is a story of a young apprentice magician's quest for revenge via the use of the some-time narrator djinn Bartimeus. He is the main reason to read the book. His amusing, ironic take on events is worth the price of admission alone. The world itself is well drawn and realised, as are all the characters.
Yes there are shades of Harry Potter (a young apprentice wizard in a world of magic where commoners are virtually cattle) and various other genre books (Randall Garratt's Lord Darcy series spring to mind) but it's all done with such verve and charm that it quite rightly transcends its influences and becomes a classic in its own right.
Buy it. Read it. You won't be disappointed. I look forward to the next chapters of this trilogy.

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The Graveyard Book Review

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(More customer reviews)What a fun read. It kept me up 'til 7 in the morning yesterday, and I do not regret it a bit.
The story of Nobody Owens--his adopted name, as this is a wee human child spared the murderous spree of a dreadful assasin, then taken in by a cemetery full of ghosts from assorted centuries, and guarded by them because the assasin has not given up the quest to kill him--is unputdownable. Every adventure as he grows from toddler to teenager mixes wonders and frights and humor. It's just such fun to see him learn ghostly ways and interact with humans and nonhumans.
There's so much to recommend in the story (and my fellow reviewers cover plenty, so I need not repeat it), but I agree that the trip into the world of the ghouls was a wild ride. I have to give props to Gaiman for the total magic that he infused into the chapter on the Danse Macabre. It would have been a terrific short story--that strange, strange day--but it worked wonderfully in the tale, showing us clearly a thing or two about Nobody and his mysterious, powerful Guardian, Silas. (His particular fantasy niche, while never said specifically in so many words is , nevertheless, no great riddle.)
The near-end brings Nobody into confrontation with the horrible killer, and Nobody comes into his own, but it costs him. It's a well-crafted ending that is inevitable given all Nobody's learned as the story progressed. If you don't figure it out pretty well in advance, you werent' paying attention.
The bittersweet--but natural and fitting-- ending made me sad as I closed the book. It feels complete, yes, but I so want to see more written on Nobody Owens. I have no idea if Mr. Gaiman has planned another or several more novels with this character, but I can say that I would very much like to read more on Nobody and Silas.
I should add that there are illustrations scattered throughout, however, I'm not a particular fan of all the included art. I normally really enjoy McKean's partnering with Mr. Gaiman, but several of the illustrations just left me unimpressed. Though, honestly, I was so wrapped up in the tale, I didn't give them that much of a lingering look. So, the fault may lie more with my impatience to read.
A wonderful story. If you enjoyed the award-winning CORALINE, you're in for a treat. This one's better.
Thanks, Mr. G.
MirUPDATE Jan 26, 2009: This book just won Gaiman the prestigious Newbery Medal!

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Being a Christian Without Being an Idiot Review

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(More customer reviews)I had heard Brad Stine's comedy before and even had one of his CDs. Then, I had the pleasure of seeing him in concert last week.
His performance was fabulous. He is not only hilarious; he is extremely bright and relevant.
After his show, I bought some of his material. One of the things I got was, `Being A Christian Without Being An Idiot'. The title is certainly provocative. The material inside is relevant and thought provoking.
The main purpose of this book is to get Christians to think about many things that they consider to be Christian `truths', but which are oftentimes more about cultural and denominational traditions. He makes the point that, `Christians are different from each other in our theology, denominations, and social interaction,' and goes on to contend, `That's AS IT SHOULD BE!'
Some of the `assumed truths' that Stine dissects include the following: Satan causes most of the problems for Christians, drinking and smoking are sins, all `true' Christians will be offended by the same things, and sinners are worse people than I am. There are also several others.
Regarding smoking, he makes several points: 1) the Bible doesn't say anything about smoking, 2) `It does bring up gluttony, though, and our country by far has more health issues with overeating than they do with smoking, 3) many Christians don't drink or smoke, but have serious weight problems. He says, `Some temples have some extra rooms added on that weren't in the original architecture'. He goes on to point out that he is not judging, nor is he trivializing smoking. He uses this example to show that our culture does not take gluttony as seriously as smoking.
He points out such inconsistencies as the intense focus that many Christians have on the gay marriage issue while virtually ignoring the sky high divorce rate for heterosexuals including Christians.
Mr. Stine manages to get his humor in even while making serious points. While discussing the reaction of some Christians to the Harry Potter books, he talks about some book burnings that have occurred. He makes the point that Christians should be working to `draw people to the cross, not send them fleeing in horror.' He says, `I think a good rule of thumb is, if HITLER tried it, you may want to go another direction!'
This is really a terrific book. It is one that will make Christians think about important issues while having fun reading it. I highly recommend it. I also recommend that if you ever have a chance to see Brad Stine in concert, you take advantage of it.


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Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy (The Children of the Red King, Book 3) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book was a really interesting book. When I went to my school fair, and saw this book on the shelf, I just knew I had to buy it. After I read the first two (which I finished in a day) I knew this one would be equally as good. I was right. I couldn't put it down and finished the book in a day. I read til 11 o'clock at night, it was that good.
This book is about a boy, Charlie Bone, and his friends and how they find an invisible boy in the attic, Ollie Sparks. A shape-shifter, Yolanda Yewbeam, takes the form of a 12-year-old-girl named Belle. She tries to stop Charlie Bone and his friends from rescuing Ollie Sparks.
If you have not read the first two books- Midnight for Chanrlie Bone, and Charlie BOne and the Time-Twister- you should read those books before reading this one. OTherwise, you will be a bit clueless about some of the concepts and people in this book. For fans of Harry Potter, you should DEFINITELY read this book and these series.

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The Abhorsen Trilogy Box Set Review

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(More customer reviews)Garth Nix delves into the dark heart of high fantasy in the Abhorsen Trilogy, three interconnected fantasies about a family of necromancers who lay the dead -- and forces of evil -- to rest. Humour, detailed writing and deep characters, along with a richly-realize world, make this a classic-in-the-making.

"Sabriel" is the story of a teenage girl living happily at a girl's school, while her necromancer father (the Abhorsen) roams around putting the dead to rest. All that changes when a sending brings her father's sword and bells, meaning that he is dead or incapacitated. So Sabriel takes on her father's duties, accompanied by a Free Magic cat and a mysterious young prince, and battles the specter of a horrible evil creature that is reaching out from death to snare her.

"Lirael" takes us to the cold citadel of the Clayr, a race of seers. Young Lirael is depressed because she doesn't have the gift of Sight yet, even though everybody else her age does. But things take a sinister turn when she sets a horrifying, bloodthirsty creature loose, and must work -- with the help of the mysterious Disreputable Dog -- to get rid of it. But what Lirael doesn't know is that the outside world is in danger too, from a sinister new enemy.

"Abhorsen" brings the series to an explosive conclusion. Lirael and her nephew Sameth -- along with "cat" Mogget and the Disreputable Dog -- are in danger from the Dead. What's more, the Destroyer Orannis has escaped from his prison and is being assisted by an evil necromancer and the Dead called Chlorr -- and an unfortunate pal of Sameth's. Now Lirael must call on her destiny as the future Abhorsen, and kill the Destroyer.

Garth Nix had only written a couple of books, one of which was an "X-Files" novelization, when the first Abhorsen book burst onto the fantasy scene. Now he's one of the most respected, prolific and well-liked fantasy writers in years, with his single books in print and two hit series for younger readers. But despite his newer works, his tales of the Old Kingdom are still his best.

The Abhorsen Trilogy is a perfect example of dark fantasy, with its grotesque dead zombies that occasionally lurch out to attack the heroes, magical bells, and shadowy beasties that can (sometimes) be restrained. It takes the trappings of high fantasy and lets us see them through a mirror darkly. Not to mention the brilliant concept of the Abhorsen necromancers, who have power over dead and/or magical creatures, and bind them with Charter marks and bells.

Virtually all of Nix's characters are likable -- especially the gutsy Sabriel and nervous teenage Sameth -- and the acid-tongued animals and black humor add a wry spin to the fantastical stories. It takes a bit longer to warm up to Lirael, since she spends several chapters in the same-named book feeling sorry for herself, but once she gets moving she's unstoppable -- and very likable.

Garth Nix gave high fantasy a dark twist in the Abhorsen Trilogy. Full of magic, darkness, death and beauty, this is a classic in the making.

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To preserve life,the Abhorsen must enter Death

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DC Super Heroes: The Ultimate Pop-Up Book Review

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(More customer reviews)From my point of view, this new Super Heroes pop-up book has several things going for it. First, I am a big DC Comic fan; have been since a small lad. (I have a very modest but nice collection of "BlackHawk Comics," my favorite, which I have collected over the years). Secondly, I have a lot of little kid in me and delight in pop-up books of any sort. Third, I am fascinated with shiny, colorful and complicated things like clocks, watches, toasters, chess sets and such stuff. I probably have a lot of raccoon in me.
Well folks, if you are like me, then this new offering is bound to delight. It truly is a marvel! I am fascinated with the fact that Matthew Reinhart was able to come up with the engineering dynamics of this thing...I knew he was good, but I did not realize just how good.
When this book is released from its plastic wrapper it expands to just under four inches. (Note here that all measurements I give in this review are approximate). This includes the heavy bound cover and five pages of pop-ups. Now I say five pages, but there are far more three dimensional offerings than just five...more about that later.
I will go through this page by page so the potential buyer knows precisely what they are getting...anyway, I will attempt it.
The first double page, when you open the book is of course...who else, but Superman. His character stands just a bit over one foot tall and the man of steel's left fist reaches out a full seven inches. He literally leaps from the page. This is the main graphic. On each of the two pages there are two other pop-ups; one features the space craft in which the baby Superman is sent to earth in when his home planet is destroyed. The other smaller pop-up is actually two different characters, one of Superman doing battle with the Doomsday monster and the other is our old evil friend Lex Luthor. These smaller pop-ups stand about 2 ½ inches out from the page. Each features a wonderful text.
The second double page features an extremely complicated and detailed Batman answering the call of the Bat Beacon high on a tower on Gotham City. Note that the Bat Signal here, high in the sky, actually lights up! When fully extended this big pop-up leaps approximately 10 inches from the pages.Again, we have two smaller offerings, one on each page. The first of the inside of the Bat Cave and the second is of the Joker. The Joker pops-up to at least 3 ½ inches. Again, all are accompanied by a wonderfully written text.
The next double page spread, my favorite page in the book, is of the Warrior Goddess herself, Wonder Woman! As you open the book she practically leaps into your lap...about 14 inches tall and expands from the page for a distance of at least seven inches. She is clutching and twirling her golden lasso and looks as if she means business. There are three additional pop-up graphics on these pages, the first features the famous Amazon Refuge...yes, "The Island!" The second shows us Wonder Woman in her invisible space craft off on some mission (which is explained in the text). The third features our Warrior Goddess doing battle with Ares...truly a scary sight to behold. Again, all four models are accompanied by an extremely well written description.
Next we have The Green Lanterns of Earth...all five of them in one pop-up. The swoop from the page as if one...over one foot wide, 14 inches tall and five inches right in your face. Good grief! Two other additions, one on each page feature The Flash and the other Aquaman. The colors on all of these pop-ups stay true to the originals and are quite impressive.
As we turn the page, we are encountered with the horrible Darkseid surrounded by eight of his evil minions. Standing over one foot tall, this outrageous beast is over one foot wide and comes off the page at approximately six inches. The two small pop-ups include Gotham's five most wanted in one and Sinestro doing battle with the Green Lantern in another.
The last page is...oh my...the entire Justice League of America doing battle with numerous villains. The name count here is legend: Adam Strange, Amzao, Aquaman, Atom-Smasher, Batman, Batwoman, Bizarro, Black Adam, Black Canary, Black Lightning, Black Manta, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Captain Marvel, Cheetah, Chemo, Clayface, Deadman, Firestorm, The Flash, Giganta, Gorilla Grodd, Green Arrow, TGreen Lantern, Harley Quinn, The Joker, Krypto, Lex Luthor, Man-Bat, Martian Manhunter, Metallo, Metamorpho, Mister Freeze, Mongul, Nightwing, Plastic Man, Red Tornado, Scarecrow, Silver Banshee, Sinestro, Solomon Grundy, Supergirl, Superman, Wonder woman and Zoom. The main pop up features two towers of fighting action interlinked, standing about 14 inches from the page...straight out! Three small pop-ups feature the first mission of the Justice League, the New Generation of the Justice League and yet another of the Justice Leage together.
Despite the complexity of this book (some of the pop-ups have three and four cards from which the figures are cut, it is quite durable. I am not saying that it could stand extreme handling from little fingers, but this book, for what it is, is very well made.
This book will delight the wee ones and it will delight collectors of such work. I will be honest. I had intended to present this work as a gift to you young 5 year old nephew...but there is little to no chance of my doing it now. I am keeping this puppy for myself!
As advertized, this one does have more than 25 3-D impressions and does indeed light-up with the Bat-Signal. The cosmic Justice League of America battle scene is something to behold...to say nothing of Wonder Woman...sigh.
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks


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The Dark Is Rising (Dark Is Rising Sequence) Review

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(More customer reviews)Susan Cooper has yet to equal "The Dark is Rising," the second book of her classic Dark is Rising Sequence. Independent of the first book "Over Sea Under Stone," this is also darker, more magical, more intense, and one of the most beautifully written fantasy novels in existance.

Will Stanton is an ordinary boy, until his Midwinter eleventh birthday. On that day, he ventures out into a seemingly changed world. There, he encounters a sinister Dark Rider, then a beautiful white horse that leads him to a hidden place, where he finds two of the Old Ones -- the mysterious Lady and Merriman Lyon, one of the stars of the previous book. The Old Ones are immortal, powerful, wise, and it turns out that Will is the last one born.

And as an astonishingly cold winter settles over England, Will is taught some of the ways of the Old Ones, who fight the Dark (forces of evil, like the Dark Rider). He has one of the signs of power, but must get them all: Iron, Bronze, Stone, Wood, Fire and Water. And he must contend with the Dark Rider, his own failings, and a mysterious stranger whose future is inextricably entwined with his...

Susan Cooper is at her peak here. Will Stanton's adventures have a sense of unreal mystery and magic about them, where the slightest actions can have significance, time is easily manipulated, and two kinds of reality intersect. Welsh mythos and legend is interwoven more deeply here, including hints of the Arthurian tilt that was featured more prominently in "Over Sea, Under Stone." At the same time, Cooper accurately displays a more human side of Will, the side that is deeply attached to his family and home.

Her writing also becomes much more detailed here. In her first Dark is Rising novel, Cooper's writing was relatively spare and lacking in detail. Here, she more than makes up for it with intricate details about the halls of the Old Ones, the bustling farmhouse, and the eerie woods where the Walker wanders.

Nowhere to be found is the British-kids-on-holiday atmosphere. It's replaced by an warm atmosphere, and one of shocking, powerful magic. This isn't magic infringing on our world, but rather Will stepping from one to another. Her dialogue is more believable, even the little old lady bleating about the snowstorm; and Will tends to think, act, and talk like an eleven-year-old boy who is aged before his time.

Will himself is an astonishingly three-dimensional character: he flips between being a smart, quiet eleven-year-old to being an Old One, with all the power that suggests. This transition is not one that is handled lightly, as he gradually loses his innocent, boyish outlook and learns more about the battle between evil and good. Merriman Lyon is a more majestic character than in "Over Sea, Under Stone," and the reader gets a saddening view of the sacrifices he's had to make for his battle against the Dark.

Susan Cooper does an astonishing job with "The Dark is Rising," a spellbinding fantasy that secured the Dark is Rising Sequence as a classic. Truly an entrancing, magical novel.

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Daniel Radcliffe: No Ordinary Wizard Review

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(More customer reviews)I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm a huge fan of Harry Potter, the books and the movies, and I had a lot of fun reading this bio. It tells all about Dan - how he got cast as Harry, how he, Emma, and Rupert spend their time on the set, and tons of personal information about Daniel. The author also talked a lot about the filming of the first 3 movies, special effects, and what it was like for Dan to grow up in front of a camera. The book also has a bunch of full-color photos of Dan with his co-stars and J.K. All in all, a really entertaining read about one of my favorite people!

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Meet Daniel Radcliffe: one of the richest, most famous teens in the world. Oh, and let's not forget that he plays one of the most beloved fictional characters of all time: Harry Potter. But before taking on the role of Harry, Daniel was just an ordinary kid. Now with five Harry Potter movies under his belt, and the final three still to come, Daniel has begun to come out of his shell and take on some more eclectic acting roles, both in film and on the stage. This biography includes brand-new, up-to-date photos, and the newest dish on everyone's favorite teenage heartthrob!--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth Review

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(More customer reviews)Books of this type are nothing new. There are probably dozens of encyclopedia-style texts out there dealing with magical creatures and mythical beings, but this one is easily one of the more enjoyable volumes I've had the pleasure of reading. As has been pointed out in another review, this is not a book for those who are longing for visuals over text. This is not one of Froud's Fairy books or one of the Gnome texts. As fun as those books are, there is a heavy if not predominate focus on their original illustrations. Carol Rose's book is focused instead on textual descriptions and summaries. There are plenty of great illustrations in the book, mostly woodcuts from Rose's own private collection, but these are not the key focus of the book. But I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a good, searchable reference guide to creatures of myth and magic.

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So You Want to Be a Wizard: The First Book in the Young Wizards Series Review

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(More customer reviews)"So You Want To Be A Wizard" is the beginning of an exciting and tantalizing series where wizardry and life in the city are a little too close for comfort. Nita, an intelligent but physically unendowed 13-year-old, finds refuge in the kid's section of the library after a particularly bad beating by a group of school bullies - and finds a book that not only tells her that there *is* magic but how to get it, why to get it, and how to use it.
Kit, a 12-year-old Hispanic boy with school troubles similar to hers, teams up with her in a wizardly Ordeal to gain their powers. Shifted "sideways" into an alternate Manhattan, they discover both their wizardly talents and find friends in each other.
I originally read first High Wizardry (the last books in the series), then Deep Wizardry (the second book) and then this, before going on to A Wizard Abroad. I also enjoyed her Feline Wizards series, of which only two books are in print so far. However, other YA readers may not: they are on an adult reading level and you need to appreciate this.
I also recommend other books (most of these are fantasy) by Patricia Wrede (her Dragons series, "Dealing with Dragons", "Talking with Dragons", etc), the Unicorn series by Tamora Pierce ("Black Unicorn", "Red Unicorn"), the "Hero and the Crown" and "The Blue Sword" by Robin McKinley.
All of these books, including (especially!) So You Want To Be A Wizard have strong female protagonists. I am, after all, a 13-year-old girl and really dislike the knight-in-shining-armour- rescues-the-damsel-in-distress stuff.
I believe you will really enjoy So You Want to Be A Wizard. Either buy it here or ask for it at a library. Interlibrary Loan works really well!
Enjoy!

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Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin (Ologies) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a 24 y/o woman but I enjoy reading about mythology, magic and the like. I saw this book at Borders and I just had to pick it up. I don't know what the cover is made from, but the material is soft and screams for you to touch it. Inside the book, I was amazed at how well crafted it is. The thought behind it was genious.
It is portrayed in a manner that the book was created by Merlin from magic, and passed on to the reader, so that the reader may carry on where Merlin left off. All throughout the pages are little flaps and openings, so it is completely interactive. The artwork is amazing and the colors are well thought out. The pages look like old parchment, many drawings are penciled.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Adults will find it enchanting and fun. Children will be able to let their imaginations run wild. I am a Christian, but I gave this to my own children. I helped them to understand the difference between fiction and fantasy, so they can enjoy this book fully without being confused.
I recommend this book! Go to the library and peek it over if you have doubts. You will not be disappointed. I also recommend the other 2 book in the "Ologies" series. Dragnology and Egyptology. Both are written the same way.

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Aspiring wizards can tune in to the age-old wisdom of Merlin with this dazzling compendium of all things magical — unveiling novelty elements throughout. For any apprentice determined to learn the arcane arts of wizardry, could there be a better teacher than . . . Merlin himself? Originally discovered in 1588,this remarkable text by history's most respected wizard is revealed to the world for the very first time.Lavishly illustrated by four delicate artists, WIZARDOLOGY's intricate design even conceals a series of hidden symbols that spell out a secret message when their code is deciphered — if the reader is clever enough to find them. Among WIZARDOLOGY's special features are:-a glittering crystal ball-like jewel on the front cover - a world map showing locations of wizards around the globe- tactile samples of a "fairy flag" with one wish remaining and a phoenix feather to aid in flying charms- booklets explaining the proper use of spells, familiars, and potions- a removable dragon pendant allowing the user to dowse for mythical beasts- a pack of eight removable fortune-tellling cards- a 48-page mini book of divination on the final spread

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J.R.R. Tolkien Boxed Set (The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) Review

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(More customer reviews)Everyone knows the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings are wonderful stories, and I fully agree. The reason for my bad rating of this PARTICULAR edition of JRR Tolkien's works is that the books are riddled with typographical errors, some so severe that they change the meaning of sentences, effectively reversing the author's intent. One example: "The Breelanders locked their doors at night, which was also not unusual in the Shire." The word "unusual" should have been "usual"--i.e., the Shire Hobbits don't usually lock their doors at night. But exactly the opposite idea is conveyed by this typographical error! And there are many more errors where that one came from. I counted THREE errors on ONE PAGE! AVOID THIS EDITION at all costs!

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Why Buffy Matters: The Art of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Review

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(More customer reviews)After you've watched several episodes of the 7-year TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," you begin to suspect that, just as in Sunnydale, something is going on beneath the surface. Wilcox explores the depths, revealing the artistic devices with which the series' creators built their marvelous world. This hardened "Buffy" follower found new insights and observations throughout the book. (Try, for example, the chapters on Buffy/Spike, "The Body," and "Once More, With Feeling.") Wilcox convinced me, too, that there's still much more to think about here - a telling point in the argument that Buffy matters.

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Midnight for Charlie Bone (The Children of the Red King, Book 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)The mysterious powers of the legendary Red King have been passed down through his descendants. No one has been born with all of the Red King's powers; however, one or two of the powers (A.K.A. "gifts" and "endowments") turn up unexpectedly in someone who has no idea where they came from. Some of the people who receive a gift use it for good, some for evil. When a child is found who shows signs of having a power, they are sent to attend the Bloor's Academy.
Charlie Bone was a normal ten-year-old boy. His father has been dead most of his life, or so he and his mother thought. Living with them are both his grandmothers and Uncle Paton. Grandma Bone is snobby and loves to remind everyone that before she married Mr. Bone, she had been a Yewbeam. The Yewbeams were an ancient family, their history littered with artistic people who had more unusual talents. Charlie's family tolerates her only because the Bone family is so poor and Grandma Bone purchased everything for them, including the house. But Grandma Bone stayed close because Charlie's father had been one of those with powerful magic. Even though Charlie never showed signs of having a gift, it did not mean that one would not show up later. This is exactly what happened.
One morning Charlie looked at a photograph and could hear the thoughts of the people in it! Charlie is horrified, but Grandma Bone and his terrible aunts are delighted. This meant Charlie had to attend the Bloor's Academy during the week and only spend the weekends and holidays at home! Once there, Charlie makes a few friends and learns that some of his classmates have equally mysterious powers.
With his new talent, Charlie learns of a baby that had been adopted by mean people. The biological aunt had been searching for the baby girl for years. When Charlie and his friends find out that the girl is someone at the academy, the search is on! But the girl has no idea of her past, so the small team must figure out which student it is, how to bring back her memory, and help her escape her cruel guardians who want to use her powers for evil.
***** Think of this book as a type of Harry Potter for the younger kids. The book is broken down into titled chapters, a chapter book. The students do not learn spells and magic. They learn the same thing normal school kids are taught, but also how to hone their special talent(s). As in real life, good verses evil. Charlie and his friends have to decide what the right thing to do is, and then how to go about doing it, without the bad guys finding out and stopping them.
This seems to be the first of a series. The author, Jenny Nimmo, has written this book so that the story can stand alone, however, the reader is left with a few questions that may be addressed in future adventures with Charlie and his friends. I found this tale to be well written, with very good morals, and extremely entertaining. Highly recommended reading! *****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

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Quidditch Through the Ages Review

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(More customer reviews)This cute little book was actually part of a pair (along with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) produced by J.K. Rowling for the charity Comic Relief. Written in a tongue in cheek manner, this books appears to be straight from the Hogwarts School Library, complete with borrow & due date list that includes one H. Potter! Purportedly written by one Kennilworthy Whisp, this book covers the evolution of Quidditch from its inception, and along the way explains how Quidditch is played.
This is a fun book for any Harry Potter fan to own. It's a good, light-hearted read, and helps explain Quidditch to us muggles, in a manner much more clear than in the regular Harry Potter books. Bet this book!

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Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation Review

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(More customer reviews)"Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation," by Neil Howe and William Strauss, attempts to explain the generation of people born between 1982 and 2002. The authors label this group the Millennials; according to the authors' model, the Millennials follow Generation X (born between 1961 and 1981), the Boomers (1943-60), the Silent Generation (1925-42), and others in a chain of definable generations that stretches back for centuries.
The authors look at some of the cultural forces that have shaped (and, increasingly, are being shaped by) the Millennials. They consider the increasing emphasis on multiculturalism; the impact of "Kinderpolitics," or child-centered politics, on Millennial lives; the school uniform movement; Millennial pop-culture favorites like Harry Potter and Pokemon; the "boy band" surge; the impact of the Columbine massacre; and more.
Ultimately, the authors make some bold predictions. They claim that the Millennials will likely become the latest in a series of "hero generations" that occur every few generations (the last hero generation, according to the authors, was the G.I. Generation, born 1901-1924). They also predict a "Millennial makeover" of American popular culture in the first decade of the 21st century.
The book is fascinating and informative. But the authors' essential conceptual model and conclusions are problematic. It seems to me that the whole "generational" model is an artificial (and, at worst, stereotype-driven) way to break people into easily-labeled groups. In fact, I think things are a lot more complex than the authors seem to believe.
Still, the book is engrossing reading. It was actually recommended to me by a distinguished U.S. Army officer who suggested that the book could give military leaders insights into the wave of young people currently entering the armed services. I believe that many other professionals could also benefit from a critical reading of this book.
The book is full of fascinating sidebar quotes from many sources: periodicals ("U.S. News and World Report," "Spin," etc.); government officials and politicians (Donna Shalala, Bob Dole, etc.); film dialogue ("Cruel Intentions," "Rushmore," etc.); song lyrics (Christina Aguilera's "Genie in a Bottle," Hanson's "MMMBop," etc,); TV show dialogue ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Malcolm in the Middle," etc.); cultural critics and commentators (Camille Paglia, Bill Maher, etc.); and other sources.
Throughout the book are funny and incisive cartoons by R.J. Matson. Charts and poll data also add to the book's appeal. Unfortunately, the lack of an index is a negative point. "Millennials Rising" is not without its problems, but it's definitely worth reading.

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