The Dragon in the Sock Drawer by Kate Klimo

The Dragon in the Sock Drawer by Kate Klimo

Review by Erica Moore

"Jesse! Jesse, let me out!” Jesse looked around, he was alone except for the rocks on top of High Peak. He could see his cousin and uncle in the distance but this voice was very close. “Jesse!” Jesse looked down at the rock in his hand. The voice was coming from the rock, if that was even possible. It was just like those magic adventure stories Jesse and his cousin Daisy read. Could something like this happen to them?

Jesse and his cousin Daisy take home the rock from High Peak only to discover it’s really a dragon’s egg with a baby dragon named Emmy inside. Jesse and Daisy search the internet and find a site named foundadragon.org with a mysterious professor that offers advice on feeding Emmy and the dangerous St. George who hunts dragons.

This book is well suited for kids 3rd to 5th grade, and there are lots of mishaps in the story line placing the kids or dragon in danger only to be saved in the nick of time by each other. Grown-ups are well meaning but oblivious to what’s really going on except for the evil St. George. This is an interesting take on the St. George character and curious kids might want to investigate the story of St. George. There are also unusual vocabulary words sprinkled in thanks to the mysterious and cranky professor Andersson at foundadragon.org. It might facilitate a trip to the dictionary to discover their meanings which professor Andersson would approve. It’s possible to visit the website foundadragon.org and meet professor Andersson too.

There are many unexplained threads in the book, but this won’t bother younger readers and it does leave much to be explained in future books. This is perfect for middle to upper elementary kids craving stories about dragons and magic.

What Other Bloggers are Saying:

Bobbi's Book Nook: "This book is adorable and young children will love its unique and modern twists." (read more...)

Cheryl Rainfield: "Klimo keeps readers turning pages through the fun of the magic, and also the thread of danger that is woven throughout the story, as Emmy is threatened by the dragon slayer." (read more...)


More Info:

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (July 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375855874
• ISBN-13: 978-0375855870
• Source: Review copy from publisher
  

The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau

The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau
Reviewed by Sheila Jones (Greenridge Chronicles)


When I first picked up The Diamond of Darkhold, I knew nothing about The City of Ember , or indeed any of the other titles in Jeanne DuPrau’s Ember series. I looked at the cover (which, judging from the bland frontispiece, seemed more intent on advertising the upcoming film) and thought “Hmmm.”

Then I started the first chapter, The Vault:

“Around the middle of the twenty-first century, when it seemed that a great catastrophe was about to engulf the world, an underground city was built as a last refuge for the human race. It was called the city of Ember.”

Okay, I thought, post-apocalyptic fiction. Fun. I read on:

“When the people emerge from the city,” [the builder] said, “they will find themselves in a devastated world.”
“Unfortunately true,” said his assistant.

The Builder and his assistant cook up a plan to stock some essential “head start” articles for the people of this city, to be hidden in a vault in a hillside near to where they would emerge, when the Earth is once again safe to roam about on. Only one catch:

The people of Ember came out of their underground city somewhat later than planned. Because they were in a state of bewilderment and exhaustion when they emerged, and because trees had grown up where trees hadn’t been before, they failed to notice the door to the vault.

Oh darn. They missed the vault for the trees. But wait, someone else finds the vault. Someone who is obviously unsuitable. Someone who can’t read and has a bad temper. And thus begins The Diamond of Darkhold.

I should start by saying that I don’t believe you need to have read the first three books in this series. It will help for some of the more obscure-and-never-explained-even-at-the-end moments, but most of what you need is in that initial chapter: apocalyptic events threaten Earth, quick-thinking and very anonymous people develop a secret underground city and stock it with food, greenhouses, clothing, and buildings, not to mention a generator to power this underground city for at least 200 years, then lead selected adults and infants down to the city, where they are to form a new society, one to survive the apocalypse. Of course, I say this because I read Darkhold first, instead of last, but there was never a moment when I thought “Ugh, I wish I’d read the others before this one.” Never.

Darkhold takes up the story several months after the people of Ember have emerged from what we are told was a malfunctioning and slowly dying city. The people of Ember are not the only people to have survived the apocalypse, though; shortly after emerging they come across a town called Sparks, with a small but determined group of inhabitants living a hardscrabble life, and the Emberites set to work to assimilate into the sometimes resentful town. Life is hard for everyone, and more so for the Emberites, not having experienced things like wind and rain and cold. Plus, they didn’t bring much with them when they left Ember, and the people of Sparks are at times ambivalent about sharing what little they have. People get sick, people die, crops fail, and there is no real medicine to speak of. Someone needs to do something, and fortunately, someone does. Someone from the city of Ember. This is the story of The Diamond of Darkhold.

I was quite enchanted with this book. In fact, I could hardly put it down, it was so gripping. DuPrau has a clear, crisp style that details in the sparest of ways, leaving one with the feeling that the reading was like having been on a roller coaster. The action moves along briskly, never lingering, the characters are vivid, their dialogue genuine, and even the bleakest moments zip along with a sort of breathlessness. I was left with the feeling that I’d just read a book written by an old pro.

And when I’d finished it, I went immediately to the library and took out The City of Ember .


What Other Bloggers Are Saying:

Wands and Worlds: "There's plenty of excitement and suspense and adventure. And I really liked that what they found in Ember was different than what they - and the reader - expected. Fans of the Ember series will definitely want to read it. " (read more...)

A Patchwork of Books: "A few new characters make their way into the ever exciting mix, as do all the favorites, in what turned out to be a pretty great adventure. The beginning moved slightly slower than I typically enjoy, but being a fourth book in a series a lot of back information was given for possible newcomers to the books. " (read more...)

HomeschoolBuzz.com "There is some action with the adventure, and the author places an emphasis on teamwork, creative thinking, and the acceptance of each other. " (read more...)

Becky's Book Reviews: "While The People of Sparks and The Prophet of Yonwood are more about ideas and philosophies, this one is pure action and adventure." (read more...) Also see an interview with the author at Becky's Book Reviews.

More Info:

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (August 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375855718
• ISBN-13: 978-0375855719
• Source: Review copy from publisher
  

Other Ember Books in the series:

The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein

The Crossroads by Chris Grabenstein
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (May 27, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0375846972
ISBN-13: 978-0375846977



What do you get when you cross a bit of mystery and suspense, a little fright, and a whole lot of ghosts? A great new summer read that boys and girls alike will enjoy. Chris Grabenstein's first children's novel, The Crossroads will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time you're reading the book.

Eleven-year-old Zack Jennings has just moved from New York City with his father and new stepmother to his father's hometown in Connecticut. While Zack was looking forward to a fresh start and getting away from the ghost of his dead mother, he didn't realize he was going to come face to face with many more ghosts. You see, 50 years ago, there was a horrific accident that occurred at the crossroads near Zack's house, killing 41 people. But why are their ghosts still around, and why is one intent on killing Zack?

From the get-go, the novel draws you in:

"Have you ever seen a face hidden in the bark of a tree and known that the man trapped inside wanted to hurt you?" (p. 1)

This spooky and intriguing intro draws you into this fast-paced novel, divided into short chapters that tell the stories of both the living and dead. Grabenstein does a masterful job of interweaving everyone's story leading up to a dramatic and chilling climax. He also introduces us to some wonderful characters along the way: the shy Zack who really only wants to fit in; Judy, the cool, caring, and understanding stepmother; Gerda Spratling, the mysterious, eccentric, and evil woman who has been putting flowers at a roadside memorial for decades; Ms. Emerson, the quirky librarian; Davy, Zack's new friend from Kentucky; and of course, the evil ghost Clint whose mind is set on revenge.

Grabenstein also does a wonderful job of developing the relationship between Zack and his stepmother Judy, and the heartwarming ending conveys a positive outlook for this family.

I recommend this book for kids who are into ghosts and mystery.

The next JK Rowling?

Move over JK…there’s a new kid in town, and she’s been creating quite a buzz. Nineteen year old Catherine Banner’s debut novel, The Eyes of a King , the first in a trilogy was just released. I received a review copy from the publisher a couple of weeks ago and stayed up way too late last night finishing the book. And all I have to say is “WOW WOW WOW.” I don’t remember feeling this excited about a book and such anticipation for the next in the series since, well, Harry Potter.

In a nutshell,The Eyes of a King , is the story of 15-year old Leo who lives with his grandmother and younger brother in the country of Malonia, which 10 years earlier was overtaken by the tyrant Lucien. Before the revolution, Malonia was peaceful, creativity such as writing, dancing, and singing, was encouraged, and the great magicians were revered. Now, it’s pretty much a dictatorship, a Soldier-making factory, and completely stifling. The powerful magicians, except for the evil Talitha, have been exiled or forced into hiding. Leo and his brother go to a harsh military school where they are abused by the volatile Sergeant Markey. And Leo has special powers that he must hide.

One day he finds a magical book where writing mysteriously appears. While Leo’s world is falling apart around him, he is engulfed in the story of Malonia, the revolution, a powerful relative, and two teenagers, Ryan and Anna. But is it just a story? Leo soon learns how everything weaves together to bring the old Malonia back.

The Eyes of a King is a book with mystery, suspense, love, grief, heartache, selfishness, and selflessness. Catherine Banner’s masterful storytelling leaves no doubt that she is a force to be reckoned with in the writing industry. But is she the next JK Rowling? Both authors are British, and both write stories with a bit of magic, but I do think the comparisons stop there.

As a complete Harry Potter fan, I dare to say that Catherine Banner is better. Her book has a level of maturity and realism that Rowling was never able to achieve through Harry Potter. There are no cutesy “accio” spells, chocolate frogs, or nosebleed nougats.

And when I say realism, I’m talking about the ability to realistically convey the thoughts and feelings of teenagers. Perhaps the least favorite book in the Harry Potter series is The Order of the Phoenix. In this book, Harry is an angst-ridden teenager and a bit obnoxious, and readers didn’t like this Harry. However, I think there would have been a more positive reception if Rowling could have more effectively conveyed this and made him seem more like a real teenager. In The Eyes of a King , on the other hand, Leo is also ridden with angst and deals with some pretty emotional stuff, but his thoughts, feelings, and actions are completely believable. I identified with him, I cried with him, I felt angry with him. At one point in the book, I actually wept, and I’m not talking eyes tearing up here. I’m talking humunga-junga crocodile tears, a splotchy red face, and sobs—UGLY crying. When an author can elicit that sort of emotion from a reader, you know she’s done something right.

But let’s look at it this way…Rowling and Banner have obviously different stories and different audiences, which makes comparing the two a little obsolete. The protagonist in The Eyes of a King is 15 years old, so already we’re starting with an older readership here. Harry had just turned 11 in the first book—a HUGE age difference. Ten year olds probably won’t like The Eyes of a King as much as Harry Potter, and teenagers will probably like The Eyes of a King more. So, do I think Catherine Banner is the next JK Rowling? Absolutely not. Is she a better writer? Yes. Will she achieve the fame and fortune of JK Rowling? It’s hard to say—the Harry Potter phenomena was huge.

One thing is for sure…she has earned my deepest respect, and I can’t wait until the next book in the trilogy comes out.

*Oh and I did I mention that Catherine Banner is 19, and that she started writing The Eyes of a King when she was 14? A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!

Read an excerpt from the book

Information about The Eyes of a King

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375838759
• ISBN-13: 978-0375838750
• Source of book: Review copy from publisher