When Flavia hears about dogs being beheaded by a mysterious stranger she knows that she has to get to the bottom of this mystery. Along with Flavia’s slave, a mute beggar, and her friend Jonathan they set out to find the truth. One person says one thing and another says something else. Who is beheading the dogs?! I give this book 4 out of 5 shields because of the suspense and mystery. WARNING! This book has a few gruesome and gory scenes! Still a good book though.
♦♦♦♦◊ 4 out of 5 shields
Did you know that John Flanagan is releasing a new book? It called the Lost Stories. It is full of Rangers Apprentice Stories. It comes out on October 4, 2011. I can’t wait! 
Here’s a link to his website: http://www.rangersapprentice.com/
It is choosing day for the children of the ward. Will wants to be a warrior, but is too small and skinny. A mysterious Ranger called Halt passes a letter to the Baron and Will sees this and gets curious. Late that night, Will sneaks into the castle and gets caught by Halt. Halt lets Will read the letter. It said “I accept Will as my apprentice”. Will needs to train and learn the ways of the shadowy Rangers. When all seems great, Morgarath, an evil warlord, lets out the Kalkara. The Kalkara are huge dangerous beasts that have already killed grown knights. Can Will stop these terrible beasts?! I give this book 5 out of 5 shields for the action, adventure, and nonstop suspense. I loved this book so much that I could not get out of the car after I got home from the bookstore. This is the first book in the Ranger’s Apprentice series.
♦♦♦♦♦ 5 out of 5 shields
Reynie Muldoon is an orphan. When he sees an ad in the newspaper reading ”Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?”, he heads over to the assesment. He is challenged in many tests. Little does he know, but an evil man named Mr. Curtain is planning to take over the world. When Reynie passes the tests along with some new-found friends he learns that Mr. Benedict is trying to stop Mr. Curtain. Reynie and his friends are sent undercover into Mr. Curtains HQ which is really disguised as an institute. With traps down every corner, will they make it out alive?! I give this book 5 out 5 shields for the fast paced action and puzzles. I couldn’t put this book down. This is the first book in the Mysterious Benedict Society Series.
♦♦♦♦♦ 5 out of 5 shields
There are dark times in London during WWII, so Nick gets sent by his mother to Burma to live at his father’s timber elephant plantation. When Nick finally gets used to how things are, the Japanese attack and take over the plantation! What’s worse is Nick’s father gets captured along with Nick’s friend Indaw. Turns out Mya, a local on the plantation, is being held captive on the plantation with Nick. Their only hope of escaping is on a mysterious monk. Can they get out of Burma?! This book is very well written and I love the suspense and adventure. I give this book 4 out 5 shields for the adventure that feels like your are right there with the character.
♦♦♦♦◊ 4 out 5 shields
The pigeon asks the bus driver if he can drive the bus, but the answer is no, so now he is asking you, the reader if he can drive. Will you let the pigeon drive? He will be your best friend and give you five bucks. I give this book 5 out of 5 shields for the hilarious illustrations and interactiveness.
♦♦♦♦♦ 5 out of 5 shields
If you want your kids to read, make sure they see you reading. Even setting aside a time that the whole family reads together is great. Before bed is a perfect time instead of TV.
Reading is more fun if you have a favorite place to read. I have a place between my bed and bookshelf where it is all nice and cozy. If you haven’t found your nook yet, don’t worry. Somewhere like an armchair is perfect. Wherever is comfortable to you is the best place to read.
When Grace Cahill dies, Dan and Amy are given a choice: either take a million dollars or the first clue to world domination. Can Amy and Dan keep the other teams from being the most powerful being in the world ?! I give this book 4 out of 5 shields for the fast paced action and humor. I love how you get to solve codes and puzzles while you are reading. If you go online to The Thirty Nine Clues website you can hunt for clues just like Dan and Amy.
♦♦♦♦◊ 4 out of 5 shields
Jesse and Gramps look into the fireplace and they go on magical adventures through their imaginations. Can Jesse save Gramps from the fire dragon?! I only gave this book 2 out of 5 shields for the lack of plot and it almost put me to sleep therefore this book is a great bedtime story.
♦♦◊◊◊ 2 out of 5 shields
