This book was filled with adventure, and mystery, action packed around every corner. If you want to read this book be sure to read The Lightning Thief the first book, then the Sea of Monsters the second book, than The Titans Curse the third book so that you get all the information that you need for the fourth book The Battle Of The Labyrinth comes out May 6, 2008. The Titans Curse is a good book for any age of about fourth grade and up.
by Rebekah
Who would like this book? Pre-teens and teens who like fantasy, mythical creatures (especially fairies), danger, adventure, and some sibling rivalry.
Why? Kendra and Seth’s parents get to go on a vacation and need some place for the kids to stay. After much convincing, their grandfather agrees and the two siblings arrive at the house in the countryside. Kendra and Seth are full of insults for each other and unhappiness over their grandfather’s seemingly arbitrary rules. Seth, of course, has to break them right away and plunges into trouble. Through events that follow, Seth and Kendra discover that their grandfather is the caretaker of “Fablehaven,” a preserve for mythical creatures who are in danger of extinction. Ancient laws hold the preserve in harmony, but the “celebration” of Midsummer Eve threatens to upend this harmony, with perilous consequences for the caretakers, Seth and Kendra. Though some of the plot and characterizations are predictable, developments related to their grandmother and Lena, the housekeeper, lead to some good surprises. Also, I now take a second look at various insects! The Cal Young Library also has the sequel, Fablehaven: The Rise of the Evening Star (2007).
The details: 368 p. 2006
Who would like this book? Teens who like pirates, vampires, the high seas, rogues, sea shanties, swashbuckling…you get the picture.
Why? Saydie already wrote a great review about this book. Find it under “Student Reviews” or go directly to http://blogs.4j.lane.edu/arnold/2008/01/28/vampirates-demons-of-the-ocean-by-justin-somper/
What can I add? The characters that Grace encounters on the Vampirate ship and that Connor encounters on the pirate ship are surprisingly appealing. (I love Miss Flotsam, the “living” figurehead, and Cutlass Cate.) Both Connor and Grace find help in unexpected places, not the least of which is within themselves. The descriptions are vivid, and the plot twists are unexpected and fun, with an ending that begs for a sequel: Vampirates 2: The Tide of Terror. A third book, Vampirates 3: Blood Captain is due out in April (2008).
The details: 330 p. 2006