Tuesday, July 19, 2005

The Whim of the Dragon by Pamela Dean


THE WHIM OF THE DRAGON is the last part in the three part series of The Secret Country. Even though it is the last, it has to be the best out of the three. It's full of adventure and mystery; you won't be able to put it down!

The story starts where the last book, The Hidden Land, left off. Ted, Laura, Ruth, Patrick, and Ellen are summoned back to the secret country to finish the story. (In the past stories, you learned that the group of children made up a story, The Secret Country, and would act it out every summer they got together. But they stumble upon a place actually called The Secret Country, and they were shocked to see that their story had come to life.) When summoned back, they had to face a dragon in order to save their beloved story.

To find out if the five children saved the country, pick up these books, and read them! -Christine Y.

The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber

This fantasy story is one that makes the others seem like nothing. THE WITCH'S BOY has bits and pieces of the classic fairy-tales Jack and Jill , Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, and others. But along with those there is a twist that brings everything together. In a way, it's a whole new approach on the Phantom of the Opera, fantasy style.

The story actually starts out when a witch adopts an ugly, abandoned child. The witch, however, had no experience whatsoever with children, so she gave the responsibility of the child, now called Lump, to a caretaker bear named Ysul. Lump ends up growing hateful and bitter, because the witch always seemed to have something to do or somewhere else to be. Lump wreaks havoc at a nearby village for revenge, causing the witch to lose magic and job. They end up moving to a new town, scraping by with what they can. As Lump grows older, his heart grows harder, but he still manages to fall in love with the vainest girl in town, Aude.

What will happen to Lump? Will he get the girl of his dreams? Will his heart finally melt? Not only a good story but a good lesson as well in it . If you wanna know the ending of this fantastic story, go pick up the book now! -Christine Y.

A Wrinkle in Time

A WRINKLE IN TIME begins with Meg getting in trouble at school. This happens often. She gets home and has dinner with her brothers, Denny and Sandy (twins) and Charles Wallace, and her mother. Their father is working for the government and has disappeared. That night, Meg comes down to find Charles Wallace making hot chocolate. Her mom comes in and the three have hot chocolate together. A stranger comes in and talks to Charles Wallace as though they are friends (which they are). Later the next day, Meg and Charles are on their way to the stranger's house. They run into Calvin O'Keefe. They talk together and all continue to their walk to a stranger's house. They meet the stranger, Mrs. Whatsit, and her friend, Mrs. Who. After talking to them for a while, she tells them to come back later. That evening, Calvin, Charles, Meg, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Who and their friend, Mrs. Which, all meet together. They travel through space to the planet where Meg's and Charles ' father is. He is trapped by a huge brain named I.T. After several adventures, they get him out of his prison. All of them escape, except Charles Wallace who had his mind controlled by I.T. Meg returns and rescues Charles by saying that she loves him They escape together and return home for a big family reunion.This is a very good, but confusing, book. You should read it. -Josh M.

The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer

THE OPAL DECEPTION is the fourth book in the Artemis Fowl series. It starts with Artemis trying to steal a prized painting and being unsuccessful. He has been brainwashed, so he remembers nothing of the fairies. He meets Holly after an attempt on his live Opal Koboi. Opal has already killed Jullies. Holly is on the run because the Leps think she killed Jullies. Butler is left behind, and he runs into Mulch Diggums who gives him a disk that not only refreshes his memory but he immediately knows what danger they are in. They rescue Holly and Artemis from Opal and figure out the plan to give up fairies to the human race. They immediately set out to stop it and do they get Holly's good name back and get Opal. This is a really good book, and I am sure you will enjoy it. -Josh M.