School of Wizardry (Circle of Magic, Book 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)In 6th grade I read my first of the Circle of Magic books, the School of Wizardry. It started me into realm of fire breathing dragons, arrogant wizards, and gallant knights. Here I was hiding the book under my notebook at school, because even then I felt embarrassed at the size and childness of the book. The books have the reading level set at the age of 9-12 and because of this many might look over them. Though these books inspired me as a youth to explore the wide variety of literature out there, I feel it can do the same for ANYONE. Debra Doyle has found a way to reach out to ALL audiences. The publicity was down, so thence the sales. But the books themselves are magnificent. As I have not so forcibly made my younger brother read them, he has become a fan at the age of 14. As he checked them out of my old Junior High, I got the chance to read them once more as a Senior in High School. Of course this time I didn't have to hide them, but flaunted them as the occasion permitted. Now this review is quickly becoming unhelpful, but the point I am trying to put across is that these books appeal to ALL ages. I love them. On my list are classics like The Hobbit, A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court, and the Wheel Of Time series. But the circle of magic (though somewhat adolescent) stand out among the best. I can't think of another book I would rather have my children read in the future, and for anyone with the love of fantasy and imagination.

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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 Emerald Tablet (Forgotten Worlds) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Emerald Tablet is a science fiction novel, the first of a trilogy for middle grade readers (target ages 8-14, with an emphasis on 11+, I believe). Anyone who enjoyed discovering the world of magic with Harry Potter will enjoy diving into a different magical world with Benjamin Holt and his friends. The group forms after meeting up at a summer school on the hidden, submerged continent of Lemuria. Can you imagine finding out one day that you have amazing "magical" skills - and that you've come from an underwater continent? What a plot line (and for you Potter fans, the experience is TOTALLY different from Harry's)!
In the midst of developing teleportation, telekenesis, telepathy and other new found skills, Benjamin and his friends discover the magical Emerald Tablet and find they must work together to save the world and battle adversaries from Atlantis (Lemuria's rival hidden continent). This is no easy summer school experience!
Filled with adventure, unusual experiences, plot twists and character trials, The Emerald Tablet is a book readers will not want to put down. Readers will find themselves in a new and exciting world, anxious to learn more about Lemuria and the conflict with Atlantis. Though their dialogue is sometimes lengthy, the characters are likable and easy to identify with: the curious bookworm, the competitive best friend, the confident girl, the shy and uncertain yet strong girl, and the confused but determined protagonist. I look forward to seeing how they continue to develop and what they tackle together in the next book!

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Benjamin and his best friend Andy love being different from the other kids. They like being able to read each others minds and use their telekinesis to play tricks. In fact, they are getting set to spend their entire summer doing just that when Benjamin s mirror starts talking. Suddenly, he s looking at eight weeks of summer school someplace that can only be reached by a teleporter hidden in his hallway. And the summer only gets stranger. At school, Benjamin discovers that he isn t really human but something called a telegen. It turns out that the powers he always thought made him special only make him normal. But then the mysterious Emerald Tablet chooses him as its champion, and all chances of a uneventful (well, as uneventful as summer school on a hidden, submerged continent can be) disappears.

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Witch & Wizard Review

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(More customer reviews)I absolutely love dystopian, end-of-life-as-we-know-it, type of novels. George Orwell's 1984 (Signet Classics) and Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale happen to be two of my favorites. This novel started with great promise...And then it fell short. Very short. The novel is about Wisty and Whit Allgood, two teenage siblings who are kidnapped by the New Order, a form of government that has taken over the world. During this time, Wisty and Whit discover that they have magical powers, and that is why the New Order considers them a threat. The story opens up with Wisty and Whit being led to the gallows in a sports arena, with thousands of people cheering on their hanging. As the proceedings commence, Wisty and Whit take us into the backdrop of the story, how they found themselves condemned to death.
In a trite and oversimplified manner, we learn that our political system crumbled overnight and was replaced by the New Order headed by "The One Who Is the One." As Wisty and Whit continue to battle some of their challenges, they become more aware of the magnitude of their supernatural powers. The story crosses over from Wisty and Whit's time in prison, over to other worldly dimensions (such as the Shadowland where spirits dwell) back to an unrecognizable world overwrought with despair, war, and hopelessness. But none of this is captured with any depth.
What I thought would be a great dystopian story seemed more like a cat-and-mouse fantasy under a dystopian backdrop. I do enjoy fantasies and stories of magic along with mayhem, but there was something missing in this story. It was entertaining in some areas but it lacked the thrilling suspense I would expect in a novel written by Patterson.
This is the first book in a new series and unfortunately, it leaves readers with a rather weak cliffhanger. This series may have some promise and hopefully, the next book will delivery on that.


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Wrapping Paper Romp (Harper Growing Tree) Review

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(More customer reviews)My 2-year-old loves the illustrations and rhymes. Great toddler book! Highly recommended.

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Baby's got a present. A present in a box.It's time to do the wrapping paperWrapping paper romp.Here is a playful poem exploring the simple fun of opening a present. There's lots of colorful paper and ribbons to tear, rustle, and crumple as this toddler and kitten unwrap a gift. And as every baby knows--the packaging is even more fun than what's inside! Adorable and lively illustrations by Jennifer Plecas capture the simple joy and fun of this common experience.

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Don't Tell the Grown-Ups: The Subversive Power of Children's Literature Review

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(More customer reviews)In this excellent overview, Lurie points out the subtle ways that many classic children's authors such as Barrie, Burnett, Milne, Nesbit, and Carroll embedded social criticism within their stories. Lurie has a smooth, intelligent style, and a refreshing dry wit that sets this book apart from much literary criticism. My only complaint is that I would have preferred a bit more focus on the subversive texts themselves, rather than on the life stories of their authors; but then, I'm not too fond of biographical criticism as a whole. All in all, highly recommended.

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In sixteen spirited essays, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Alison Lurie, who is also one of our wittiest and most astute cultural commentators, explores the world of children's literature--from Lewis Carroll to Dr. Seuss, Mark Twain to Beatrix Potter--and shows that the best-loved children's books tend to challenge rather than uphold respectable adult values.

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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Review

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(More customer reviews)Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is an unabridged audiobook production of Lewis Carroll's classic children's storybook of a young girl lost in a magical land of fantasy. Read aloud by Grammy and Audie Award-winning performer Jim Dale, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is a delightful performance that adroitly captures this whimsical spirit of the story. Highly recommended as a giftbook to listeners of all ages, as well as for public library audiobook collections. 3 CDs, 2 hours 57 minutes.

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Dragon Slayers' Academy Treasure Chest Review

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(More customer reviews)I enjoy reading the volumes in this series almost as much as my 5-year-old son enjoys hearing them read. Kate McMullan is a talented writer who displays wonderful wit and skill but also a great deal of heart. The Dragon Slayers' Academy books are a mixture of Harry Potter, Roald Dahl, and even (dare I say it?) the old Harvard Lampoon parody, "Bored of the Rings".
I should warn that my son does occasionally have difficulty following some of the dialogue and narratives (at which points, I simply pause to offer quick explanations or glosses). Also, there have been a couple of spots where gore becomes a concern (for example, the executioner's song in book 3).
The lively illustrations as well as the humorous "DSA Yearbook" (including a "campus" map) are great bonuses.
I think that this book (and the series) is an excellent step along the path toward, say, Harry Potter or the Hobbit, but will also be treasured (and re-read) on its own right.

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Join Wiglaf and the rest of the gang at the Dragon Slayers' Academyand find out what medieval mischief they encounter! Titles include #1The New Kid at School; #2 Revenge of the Dragon Lady; #3 Class Tripto the Cave of Doom; and #4 A Wedding for Wiglaf?

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The Carnival of the Animals (Book and CD) Review

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(More customer reviews)The magical combination of Jack Prelutsky's verse, Camille Saint-Saën's captivating music, and Mary GrandPré's stunning artwork infuse the pages of this book with excitement.
All fourteen movements of Camille Saint-Saën's Le Carnaval des Animaux (The Carnival of the Animals) are included on the CD. The movements are prefaced by Prelutsky's recitation of his poem. The last track on the CD is an uninterrupted, fully orchestrated performance of the piece performed by the Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra.
On each two-page spread is a stunning interpretation of the animals in the Carnival. Mary GrandPré is best known for her illustrations of the American Harry Potter books. The illustrations are vibrant and capture the essence of Saint-Saën's work perfectly.
In the back of the book is a note to parents and educations discussing this work. The Carnival has been long noted as a perfect introductory classical piece for young children. Judith Bachleitner, head of the Rudolf Steiner School music department, notes that "Kindergarten-age children will move with the rhythm of the music, imitating the animals. They'll walk like an elephant, swim like a fish, march like a lion, hop like a kangaroo, and so on." This amazing book would be a perfect addition to any homeschool or classroom shelves!


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Daniel Radcliffe (Blue Banner Biographies) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this book thinking something that when I got it the book wasn't what I thought and I sent it back. It is not an official Biography about his life from birth to now. It had nothing that I didn't know already. One picture of a man and woman was presented as his parents. They are not his parents. The woman is his publisist not his mum.

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All Harry Potter knew was a miserable life with theDursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their hateful son,Dudley. His room was a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs. Hehadn't had a birthday party in eleven years. All that changed inHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.Daniel Radcliffe, on the other hand, the young actor who was chosen toplay Harry Potter, led a comfortable life in London, England. Hisbiggest obstacle was convincing his parents that he was up to thechallenge of playing the role of Harry Potter. Here is the story ofthe young teen and his role of a lifetime.

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LEGO Minifigure Ultimate Sticker Collection (ULTIMATE STICKER COLLECTIONS) Review

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(More customer reviews)This sticker collection is great! It has every lego minifig sticker you could ever want and the last couple of pages there are extra duplicate stickers. My sons are having fun filling the pages with the stickers: lego batman, star wars, indiana jones, harry potter, train, castle, space, adventure, agents, underground. Overall Mom was so happy that sons (ages 6 and 4)spent time putting the reuseable stickers on themselves and enjoyed it. Without fighting. There are that many stickers! Worth the money!

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Thirty years of minifigures are represented in this one-of-a kind sticker collection for LEGO(r) fans young and old alike! With more than 600 reusable stickers, kids of all ages can bring all the minifigures to life in a whole new way! LEGO, the LEGO logo and the minifgure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. (r) 2009 the LEGO Group. Produced by Dorling Kindersley under license from the LEGO Group.

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Kiddie Lit: The Cultural Construction of Children's Literature in America Review

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(More customer reviews)Clark's text is scholarly without alienating the non-scholar. Using familiar authors and texts from the 19th and 20th Centuries, and a super-abundance of critical and popular responses to those texts, she illustrates the rise, fall, and reascension of children's literature as a respected pursuit. Her list of sources is unfathomable; my only occasional complaint was a feeling of, "all right, already, I was sold several quotes ago."

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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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The Dark Is Rising Sequence: Silver on the Tree; The Grey King; Greenwitch; The Dark Is Rising; and Over Sea, Under Stone Review

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(More customer reviews)This series of books made me want to be a writer when I grew up. I remember distinctly reading these books and realizing the power that authors have to create a world and populate it with living characters. Ms. Cooper has created a universe in which magic lives just under the surface of the "real" world--her theme, that the power of magic is accessible to believers, and that we have a responsibility to fight against evil in both the real and magical realms, continues to resonate with me and many other readers.
I highly recommend The Dark is Rising series to children and adults. It's for a slightly older audience than the Harry Potter series, and makes a nice next level for kids who want more.
I am thrilled that the series is still available and I am adding it to my collection in the hope of passing it on to the children in my life. That, and I'm going to re-read them myself-- they're just too good to pass up!

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Scepter of the Ancients (Skulduggery Pleasant) Review

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(More customer reviews)Skulduggery Pleasant is a wonderful name, and the skeletal title character is a fun new addition to the children's fantasy genre. However, when I bought the book, the bookstore clerk told me she thought it read like a TV show, particularly because of its snarky dialogue, and she was right. After an early interlude in which main kid Stephanie seems like a relatively normal child, we discover that the rest of the book is written in that dialect known as Banter, herein practiced by a preternaturally adult child character having snippy-snappy conversations with a childish adult character (Skulduggery).
The clerk also said she's seeing more and more children's books written in this style. Is it because everyone's aiming for a movie someday, like the Harry Potter franchise? Or is it because we have a new generation of writers whose training stems as much from years of TV and movie watching as from reading--writers with an ear for TV-style dialogue and characterization?
The plotting, too, which other Amazon reviewers have described in some detail, feels like a movie or at least a Saturday morning cartoon, albeit a lively one. Evil-villain-takes-over-the-world-with-the-help-of-appropriate-traitors-and-henchmen has been done to death, but Landy does throw in a few fresh twists, though the character of Skulduggery remains his greatest accomplishment. I would like to tell you that I found Stephanie appealing, but her mall-speak didn't quite work for me.
That said, there's obviously a place in the world for rowdy, TVesque books--look at all these rave reviews! Skulduggery Pleasant will be an entertaining read for a lot of kids, and it may yet become a movie or at least a video game. Still, it isn't well crafted in a traditional (award-winning, vanishing-classic, literary) sense. Try Terry Pratchett's Wee Free Men, Tamora Pierce's Terrier, or Jonathan Stroud's Amulet of Samarkind if you want to see what I mean.

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Triumph O/Imag: Jk Rowling (OA) (Overcoming Adversity) Review

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(More customer reviews)I feel as though this book could have given more information about JK Rowling. Only about two of the chapters were about her life in general, the rest of the book was basically about the Harry Potter series and the fame the books are reciving. These other chapters really are of no use to people who want to learn about Rowling's life, it's basically about her writing. Maybe someone who hasn't read the Harry Potter books would find the entire book interesting. If you're a devoted fan, just skip it.

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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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