Dragon Castle by Joseph Bruchac - ADVISABLE

Bruchac, Joseph Dragon Castle, 333 pgs. Penguin Group, 2011. Language - G, Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG; Prince Rashko is the only sensible member of the royal family. Unfortunately, his older brother Prince Paulek is in charge when questionable guests arrive and he lets them right in. Now the guests are using enchantments to control Paulek and are abusing their freedom to reek havoc within the castle walls. It's up to Rashko to save the kingdom from the evil plans of their guests by using the power of his ancestor Pavol. But first he has to get back into the castle. 

It was slow at first, but after the evil-doers showed up it finally picked up. I liked switching between Rashko's story of saving the kingdom versus his ancestor Pavol's own heroic story. The last chapter put a fun twist on the story that made it end on such a good note that I already want to read it again. 

MS, HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

The Dark City by Catherine Fisher - OPTIONAL

Fisher, Catherine Relic Master: The Dark City, 372 pgs. The Penguin Group, 2011. Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - G; Raffi is the pupil of a reckless keeper, Galen Harn. Although they should stay in hiding, Galen leads them into another risky situation, and this one is a trap. Half by force of their trappers and half of their own will, Raffi and Galen are going to the city where their enemies rule. What could go wrong? 

Adventure, despair, betrayal, and surprises, this book has it all. I was not captivated in the beginning, but it has a way of drawing you in slowly. By the end of the book, I was caught hook, line, and sinker. Now I just need the second one. 

MS, HS - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: CCH

Last of the Gullivers by Carter Crocker - OPTIONAL

Crocker, Carter Last of the Gullivers, 224 p. Philomel (Penguin), 2012.  $17.  Content: G.  Michael, 12, is headed straight to trouble.  His first try to enter the local gang and he is caught red-handed.  As penance he goes to work for the local grocer, and a chance delivery leads him to meet the village oddity – Lem Gulliver – who introduces him to the Lilliputians, who have lived for generations in the Gulliver’s backyard.  Problems are brewing  - in the village, as the gang tries to exert control over Michael and among the Lilliputians, as a seedy character tries to take control.  Everyone has huge decisions to make.  

As much as I enjoyed the essence of this book, there are too many people over too short of a book so it feels very crowded and complicated.  On the other hand - I think this would make a great movie!  Somebody alert Jack Black!  EL – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher

Ultimate Magic by T.A. Barron - ADVISABLE

Barron, T.A. Merlin’s Dragon: Ultimate Magic, 223 pgs. Philomel Books, 2010. Language – G, Sexual Content – G; Violence – PG; There is about to be yet another battle for Avalon. Basilgarrad stands with meager forces up against a trained army both in the air and on the ground. He feels alone and overwhelmed as he fights for the land he loves, but fights hard in order to live through this battle in order to fight one more. The battle that will end in defeat of the monster responsible for it all or saying goodbye to Avalon. Overwhelming despair is triumphed by wisdom and a bit of luck at the very moment that death seems to be inevitable. This and the always present touching scenes about the lives of the most daring characters made this book fun to read. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I wanted to, though, because I haven’t read the first two. The absence of those books made it confusing, but only took a little from the otherwise enjoyable tale. MS – ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: CCH

The Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle by Deva Fagan - ADVISABLE

Fagan, Deva The Magical Misadventures of Prunella Bogthistle, 263 pgs. Henry Holt and Company, 2010. Language – G, Sexual Content – G; Violence – G; Prunella isn’t a normal Bogthistle worthy of the name-especially when she helps an Uplander. Being banished just makes her more determined to prove herself to her grandmother. On the run with Uplander Barnaby not only helps her to prove herself, but to save everyone from the villain in disguise. I was surprised by this spectacular story. Discovering yourself is hard, just like Prunella and Barnaby find out along their adventure. It was a magical tale that kept me until the very end. I hope there’s a sequel because I’m not ready to let go of these characters. MS, HS – ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Nielsen, Jennifer A. The False Prince, 352 p. Scholatic, APRIL 2012.  $17. Violence: PG (one death, some bullying). Sage has made a life for himself in the orphanage; his cunning and skills have served him well.  Now, however, a devious man has acquired Sage – and three other orphan boys – to use in a plot that extends all of the way to the king and his palace.  Sage is smart enough and cunning enough to fill the role Connor’s plan, but does he want to give up his own freedom and his own life to do it?  A nice novel for beginning fantasy readers While the end resolution was obvious to me, I don’t think it will be as obvious for younger readers.  EL, MS – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher

The Wizard of Dark Street by Shawn Odyssey - ADVISABLE

Odyssey, Shawn Thomas The Wizard of Dark Street, 346 pgs. Egmont, 2011. $17.00 Language: PG.  (1 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content – G; Violence: PG; Oona Crate is a twelve-year-old girl who has been training to be a wizard by her uncle. Since her true desire is to be a detective, Oona asks her uncle to find a new wizard apprentice to replace her. As a new apprentice is about to be named, her uncle mysteriously vanishes. Oona must use both magic and some investigative skills to find her uncle and his attacker before magical glass gates swing open and mankind is taken over by faeries. The magical descriptions are fun, but at times became so tedious I longed for some kind of action to occur—especially at the beginning of the book. There is also a problem with the author trying to cram so many details into the story that some were unclear to me until the end. With that being said, this book is a fun mystery that left me wondering who the villain was until the end. Oona is a bright and resourceful heroine and her sidekicks Deacon (a bird) and Samuligan (a faerie servant) are likable characters. EL-MS – ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Michele