Category: Young Adult

Books for Young Adults

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M.C. Higgins the Great by Virginia Hamilton

Synopsis

Set in Appalachia of northern Kentucky along the Ohio River,  M.C. Higgins is the oldest son in an African American family, proud of his great grandmother’s mountain and proud of his skills as a swimmer, a hunter-tracker, and how he can shimmy up his forty-foot steel pole to view the hills. Then two strangers enter his domain. The first might be able to make M.C.’s mother a famous singer. The second is a girl who lives the kind of freedom M.C. never considered aiming for.

Over all of them, hover the age-old superstitions handed down through the generations and the brewing storm of strip miners laying bare Sarah’s Mountain. M.C. will soon need to make a choice: stay on his mountain as the coal industry destroys it, or move off the mountain and join the modern world.

Pros

  1. The setting may be more of a main character than M.C. Higgins. Virginia Hamilton’s descriptive imagery is superb.
  2. Readers will gain a solid sense of the culture that has inhabited Appalachia for centuries.
  3. While this is a coming-of-age story during a specific era in a specific setting, it goes beyond race bias and evil coal mine owners. This is M.C.’s story and what happens between him and his parents, between him and his siblings, and between him and the strangers who visit his mountain.

Cons

  1. The setting may be more of a main character than M.C. Higgins. Hamilton’s descriptive imagery and literary style will cause the average juvenile reader to close the book by page 10. I was a voracious reader as a child, but this book would not have held my interest. I would have skipped all the amazing prose to get to the action.
  2. The relationship between M.C. and his father bothered me. They loved each other, respected one another, but the way each challenged the other bordered on generating feelings of hate and disrespect.

Conclusion

M.C. Higgins the Great was a novel I appreciated for its literary excellence. It painted a portrait of one specific area of the United States with a brush that allowed me to become immersed in the setting using every one of my senses. However, I believe it’s a novel geared toward adults, not youth. It takes an especially thoughtful young reader to enjoy what M.C. Higgins has to offer.

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The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie Reeder

Fans of The Greatest Showman will love The Electrical Menagerie

I kind of fell in love with Sylvester and Huxley and the story world. I read an ARC of The Electrical Menageries, and when the blog tour sign ups came around, I raised my hand. I’m not one for rereading books but The Electrical Menagerie is one I’ve already read twice and will likely read again.

Synopsis

The Electrical Menagerie, one-of-a-kind robotic roadshow, is bankrupt.

Sylvester Carthage, illusionist and engineer, has the eccentric imagination the Menagerie needs to succeed creatively — but none of the people skills. Fast-talking Arbrook Huxley, meanwhile, has all the savvy the Menagerie needs to succeed commercially — but none of the scruples.

To save their show, Carthage & Huxley risk everything in a royal talent competition, vying for the chance to perform for the Future Celestial Queen. In this stardust-and-spark-powered empire of floating islands and flying trains, a shot at fame and fortune means weathering the glamorous and cutthroat world of critics, high society, and rival magicians —but with real conspiracy lurking beneath tabloid controversy, there’s more at stake in this contest than the prize.

Behind the glittery haze of flash paper and mirrors, every competitor has something to hide… and it’s the lies Carthage & Huxley tell each other that may cost them everything.

Pros

  • Sylvester and Huxley are interesting characters; I love that Sylvester is in his 40s and Huxley in his 20s. This aspect reminded me of The Greatest Showman as did the premise of a struggling circus. Fans of the musical will enjoy this book
  • Great world building with islands in space, stardust, and magic
  • The electrical characters, trains, and other inventions are fascinating
  • There is no sexual content beyond a kiss
  • Action is exciting but not violent
  • Overall it’s a clean read for all age levels

Cons

  • No cons based on the story itself – it’s a tight story with great pacing, interesting characters and story world
  • There is murder and crime
  • One character gets drugged and there is some alcohol use by the main characters; drunkenness and drugs are not glorified
  • The characters lie and conceal their pasts

Discussion Questions

  1. Sylvester had a crippling illness as a child. How do you think his childhood and adolescence affected his outlook on life as an adult?
  2. How do you think Huxley’s upbringing affected his outlook on life as an adult?
  3. If you could have an electrical, what would you choose a performer, a companion, or a worker?
  4. Which of the other acts did you think sounded the coolest (you can’t choose the electrical menagerie)?
  5. Which character did you identify with the most?
  6. How do you think Sylvester’s health will come to play in the sequel?
  7.  How do you think Huxley’s past will factor into the sequel?

 

 Purchase Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Electrical-Menagerie-Celestial-Isles-Book-ebook/dp/B07D5TM5VS

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39719906-the-electrical-menagerie

 

About the Author

Mollie Reeder

Mollie’s first job was with a major theme park, where she operated a roller coaster, fixed parade floats, and helped Scooby-Doo put on his head. Now, Mollie is a movie producer and the author of character-driven science fiction/fantasy novels for adults who never outgrew imagination. Her favorite things include Jesus, dinosaurs, and telling cinematic stories that blend glitter and grit.

Social Media Links

Website — Twitter — Instagram

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Heartless by Marissa Meyers

 

Heartless by Marissa Meyers

Before she was the Queen of Hearts she was just a girl in love…

Synopsis:

In Heartless, Catherine just wants to open a bakery with her best friend. But the King of Hearts wants her as his wife. How can she keep hold of her dream when her parents are convinced that this marriage is best for her and the kingdom?

When she meets Jest, the very irreverant and handsome court jester, she is drawn to him like a magnet. She falls in love and realizes that she would sacrifice everything to be with him.

However, in a land of magic of madness fate might have other ideas.

Pros:

  • Meyers writes in very rich details with great world building.
  • Great believable characters
  • Heartless has a unique plot line that has many twists and turns despite the fact we all know the ending

Cons:

  • The land of Heartless is the Wonderland that Alice visited and it contains absurd magic just like the original which some people might not enjoy.
  • Initially I found Catherine very distant but I think that is intentional. As I read further I warmed to her and saw the tragedy of the story.

Conclusion:

I loved Heartless!!! The rich details really drew me into this story. I have to admit that Alice in Wonderland is not one of my favourite stories but Meyers gives it new life. There are many twists and turns in this story where we all know the ending. It’s also fun to find the “origins” of many of the things that are in the original Lewis Carroll classic.

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Geekerella by Ashley Poston

A Fairy Tale Retelling Set in the World of Geek Culture and Cons

A Cinderella retelling for fans of geek culture. Cinderella has always been one of my favorite fairy tales. I remember seeing it in the theatre as a little girl. The 2015 version ranks as one of my top three all-time favorite movies. Geekerella is a retelling set in the world of science fiction fandoms.

I’m also a geek or rather GEKE. Literally, those are my initials, so I absolutely, no questions asked, had to read (or in this case listen to) Geekerella.

Synopsis

Danielle (Elle) is an orphan being raised by her stepmother and twin step sisters. They’re country club popular girls and pretty. Their summers are filled with tennis lessons and lunches at the club. Elle works in a vegan food truck painted like a giant pumpking with the eccentric Sage and writes a blog about the science fiction cult hit Starfield, a show that connects Elle to her late parents.

Darien is best known for his hot body and the character he plays on a teen soap opera. But under his buff exterior beats the heart of a geek who escapes his overbearing father, a fixture among the Hollywood elite and his absentee socialite mother.

Darien is cast as Federation Prince Carmindor in the Starfield reboot. On a morning show, he throws the answer to a trivia question so he can be dunked in a dunk tank and rip off his shirt. He is angry about how he’s being portrayed and refuses to do a “meet and greet” at an upcoming convention. In anger, he texts the venue coordinator, Elle’s late father. Elle, who has inherited her dad’s phone receives his texts.

Elle and Darien survive their very different summers through an ongoing relationship through texts focused around their mutual love of Starfield with neither one knowing the other’s identity. The story unwinds with classic Cinderella elements, in this case destroyed cosplay costumes and a leaky attic. But add the drama of a Hollywood set and gives nearly equal time to the prince’s story, not unlike the 2015 movie that shows more of Kit’s life along with Ella’s.

Pros

  • It’s a fun and funny twist on the classic fairytale
  • Individuality and “being yourself” are treated as virtues
  • The characters evolve and learn to stand up for themselves
  • There’s a strong message about standing up for others
  • Elle and Darien both learn to overcome their fears
  • The characters are fun and unique
  • There is no sexual content; nothing beyond hand holding and kissing
  • Violence is limited to punches and movie stunts
  • Elle and Darien for the most part honor their unreasonable step-parents/parents and generally show respect to other adults who don’t reciprocate

Cons

  • There is some swearing. I’m not one to really count up instances but maybe in the dozen range of objectionable words like s***. There may some inappropriate uses of God’s name but if so, it’s not frequent
  • A couple of the supporting characters are homosexual, which may be offensive to some; they don’t do anything more than hold hands
  • It is implied that 18-year-old Darien sips/drinks a glass of champagne in celebration
  • The characters sneak around parents and lie
  • From a craft standpoint, I thought the tension between Elle and her stepmother wasn’t developed enough. The same with Darien and his absentee mother. There were some hints that maybe there was more to her dad’s story but then it pulled back. A couple of other back stories didn’t feel fully developed either
  • One of the things about Darien and Federation Prince Carmindor was that they were people of color; I personally found it frustrating that there was no hint beyond that he had dark curly hair and brown skin. Maybe that was the point, but I would have liked to have known a bit more about his ethnic heritage so I could better picture him. The same for Elle. I could have sworn she made a comment she was overweight at the beginning of the story and nothing more was mentioned of her size other than she is short. Ditto with her glasses. I’m not sure her much-needed glasses are mentioned until the later chapters.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you have a favorite fandom?
  2. Would it bother you if a “pretty boy” or “it girl” were cast in roles you see reserved for “true fans”?
  3. What do you think about how Elle and Darien handled having difficult and often unreasonable parents?
  4. Would you rather have Elle or Darien’s life?
  5. Did Cal’s evolution surprise you?
  6. If you could go to a con, who would you dress up as?
  7. What do you think Elle and Darien look like?

Conclusion

Geekerella is a humorous retelling and a light YA read I’d recommend to teens who love fairy tale retellings and/or geek culture. The book was written in 2017 and is on point with the current culture. However, I think this book will be dated fairly soon. I give the book 3.7 stars. It’s not quite an awesome 4 or 5 star book but is one I’d consider checking out of the library again to listen to. What can I say, I’m a sucker for Cinderella stories and geeky heroes and heroines.

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The Story Peddler

What If You Had to lie for a living?

Tanwen is gifted at telling stories and weaves colorful tales about the godesses and King Gareth, crown-approved stories. In the end, her tales produce pretty crystal trinkets, which she sells. Her goal is to become the royal storyteller. There is a problem. Her stomach twitches as she tells these approved tales. Something about them about doesn’t quite ring true and threads of white light glitches out of her. The royal guards take notice. Tanwen’s cruel mentor abandons her. She returns home and is promptly kidnapped by a group who may very well be her salvation. Or until a bounty is placed on her head.

Pros

  • The imagery is gorgeous, especially how Tanwen’s stories spin colored threads into the crystal figurines related to the story she tells.
  • The Story Peddler is a Christian story and there are threads (pun intended) of this throughout although it’s not stated. I love that. Tanwen’s culture is based on godess worship, but she’s having doubts about their religion. Other characters come along and mention a solitary Creator.
  • There are some themes that will make for great inward reflection or good discussion topics for a book club or reading in class.
  • There isn’t a strong romance theme.

Cons

  • It took me a couple of chapters to feel fully engaged in the story.
  • There was a bit of drawing of information, especially related to Tanwen’s questions about her father.

Personal Opinion

I honestly didn’t get too engaged in the story at first. This is likely because straight up fantasy isn’t my favorite genre. Tanwen’s storytelling was intriguing. Once I got into the story, I was hooked and I really enjoyed it. This is a book I enjoyed more for theme than plot. One of the characters is literally going mad because she’s had to supress her talent. There’s a lot packed into the various characters’ backstories. It’s almost an ensemble cast even though the story is primarily told through Tanwen’s eyes. I like that. The book is well-written and the writing is creative and engaging. Also, there is so much to discuss, that this is a perfect book club read.

Discussion Questions

  1. Tanwen questions the truth in the stories she tells. What would you do if your job or school assignment forced you to lie?
  2. Tanwen has the chance to choose adventure or a stable life with Brac. Which would you choose and why?
  3. Braith must choose between honoring her father or doing what she thinks is right. What would you do if you had an immoral parent or authority figure in your life?
  4. Gryfelle’s health is suffering because she’s had to suppress your talent. How do you think this relates to using your gifts and talents to honor God?
  5. Are you Team Brac or Team Mor? Or do you like both or neither?
  6. What do you think of Cameria’s choice to serve King Gareth? [Answer this one after you’ve read the entire book]

Purchase Links

Amazon — Barnes & Noble — Books-A-Million — ChristianBook.com

 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36327140-the-story-peddler

Giveaway Link & HTML

About the Author

Lindsay A. Franklin is an award-winning author, award-winning freelance editor, and homeschooling mom of three. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. She spends a lot of time in made-up worlds, and she’s passionate about sparking imagination through stories of infinite possibility. Her debut fantasy novel, The Story Peddler, releases in 2018. When she’s not exploring the fantastical, she’s exploring the Bible and encouraging young women through her devotional books (click here for more information on Adored).

Lindsay lives in her native San Diego with her husband (master of the dad joke), their awesomely nerdy kids, two thunder pillows (AKA cats), and a stuffed wombat with his own Instagram following (@therealwombatman). You can find Lindsay on social media, too, if Wombatman hasn’t hijacked all her accounts. She’s @LinzyAFranklin on Instagram and Twitter, and she Facebooks at www.facebook.com/LindsayAFranklin.

Email list sign-up link: http://eepurl.com/bwF64j

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, April 24th  

 

Wednesday, April 25th  

 

Thursday, April 26th  

 

Friday, April 27th  

 

Saturday, April 28th  

 

Monday, April 30th  

 

Tuesday, May 1st  

 

Wednesday, May 2nd  

 

 

 

Want to dive into a new world or in need of a good book? Use the link below to enter to win a signed print copy of The Story Peddler (not pictured), a blue strand book sleeve (not pictured), custom Story Peddler bookmark, a fluffhopper sticker, and a set of five mini Story Peddler art prints! (US only.)

 

Link: giveawaytools2.com/giveaway.php?sk=57705600234

Facebook Party Information

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/162545804573276/

 

Calling all book readers! Join authors Lindsay A. Franklin and Sara Ella to celebrate the releases of their novels, The Story Peddler and Unbreakable, on May 1st!

Grab your favorite drink and snack and be prepared for a fun time of chatting with Lindsay and Sara, games, and giveaways.

The party starts at 8 PM EST (7 PM CST and 5 PM PST). Can’t wait to see you there!

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It’s Addicting by Laura L. Smith

 

It’s Addicting by Laura L. Smith is the third book in the Status Updates series, suitable for ages sixteen and up. Check out Kathrese McKee’s review of the series’ first book, It’s Complicated, and my review of the second installment, It’s Over. Again, I’m placing book #3 in both the Young Adult and New Adult categories.

Synopsis:

Obsessing over status, grades, exercise or a boyfriend could never become an addiction…could it? The third installment of the Status Updates series finds four college sophomore roommates finally getting comfy with the routines of dorm life. But Kat, Claire, Palmer, and Hannah soon begin to feel the nagging ache of innocent addictions pulling them away from their true selves. Hang out with these four roomies to see if they can–or even want to–ditch these sneaky little hang-ups before they take over their lives.

Pros:

  • As I gushed about in the review of It’s Over, this is Christian New Adult. Proof positive that New Adult fiction can (and should!) be so much more than sexed-up YA. Kudos to Laura L. Smith for taking on the nay-sayers and creating a realisitic NA series that is clean.
  • The real world greets the roommates as each branches out into her own niche. THE REAL WORLD. No sanitized Christian fiction here. Yet nothing explicit, excessive, or gratuitous, either.
  • I liked how the roomies depended on each other, but each moved forward pursuing their unique talents and interest, going in different directions but remaining solid friends.
  • About that friendship. It wouldn’t be “real life” if potholes didn’t spring up along the friendship journey. They do but no spoilers here.
  • They faced realistic “addictions”. The kind every college student will stumble upon. The true power of fiction is revealed when readers see themselves between the covers of a book and find hope and inspiration for tackling their own life issues. It’s Addicting hits that mark.

Cons: 

  • If situations involving alcohol concern you, be alerted underage drinking occurs. But it is in no way gratuitous or excessive. Rather, it’s extremely reality-based and fitting to the story. Actually, to me this is a “pro” rather than a “con”. The temptation to drink is HUGE for college-aged kids. What a perfect opportunity for parents and and heading-to-college teenagers to discuss this issue together.

Personal thoughts:

This was my favorite of the series so far. I’m a huge fan of realistic contemporary Christian YA/NA fiction because I believe in the power of story to transform lives. As noted on her website, Laura writes “real stories for real girls”. And that she does. Way to go, Laura! Will there be a book #4 in the Status Updates Series? My vote–if I get one–is YES.

Discussion questions:

  • Which of the addictions the girls faced can you most identify with?
  • Which issue do you think you would be/are the most vulnerable to?
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The Milk of Birds by Sylvia Whitman

 

When a tree leans, it will rest on its sister.

Synopsis:

Fifteen-year-old NAWRA from Darfur lives in a camp for refugees displaced by the Janjaweed’s trail of murder and destruction. She can’t read or write but when an organization called “Save the Girls” pairs her with a girl in the states, she gets her best friend to be her scribe her thoughts and experiences.

K.C., an American teen in Virginia hates reading and writing. But when she receives letters  from Nawra she is forced to look beyond her own struggles.

Through the letters the girls form a bond that bridges two continents. Both girls find that strength is found in numbers and together they can fight for a brighter future.

Pros:

  • informative book about the atrocities of Darfur
  • Nawra and her experience in Darfur are very relatable
  • addresses issues of learning issues and how it doesn’t mean a person isn’t intelligent just because they don’t learn like everyone else.

Cons:

  • I found the character of K.C. was written a little stilted (stereotypical teenager)
  • there is rape in the book however the author doesn’t dwell on the details of it.

Conclusion:

I was instantly attracted by the cover and the saying on the front cover of this book. It is a book full of rich details about Darfur. It did keep my turning the page although I often found K.C. to be not as full of a character compared to Nawra. If you have teens who want to know more about world affairs and how they can help this is a great book.

Discussion Questions:

There are reading group questions inside. 🙂

 

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Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

Fawkes is a stand-alone YA historical fantasy. 

Synopsis

Thomas Fawkes is turning to stone, and the only cure to the Stone Plague is to join his father’s plot to assassinate the king of England.

Silent wars leave the most carnage. The wars that are never declared, but are carried out in dark alleys with masks and hidden knives. Wars where color power alters the natural rhythm of 17th century London. And when the king calls for peace, no one listens until he finally calls for death.

But what if death finds him first?

Keepers think the Igniters caused the plague. Igniters think the Keepers did it. But all Thomas knows is that the Stone Plague infecting his eye is spreading. And if he doesn’t do something soon, he’ll be a lifeless statue. So when his Keeper father, Guy Fawkes, invites him to join the Gunpowder Plot—claiming it will put an end to the plague—Thomas is in.

The plan: use 36 barrels of gunpowder to blow up the Igniter King.

The problem: Doing so will destroy the family of the girl Thomas loves. But backing out of the plot will send his father and the other plotters to the gallows. To save one, Thomas will lose the other.

No matter Thomas’s choice, one thing is clear: once the decision is made and the color masks have been put on, there’s no turning back.

Pros

  • A fresh spin on history. As a homeschool parent, I could see assigning this story when studying this period of history and then challenging students to write a report comparing the story’s events against the historical record.
  • The author uses magic (color power) as an allegory to represent the different ways historical English religions (Catholic and Reformed Protestant) interacted with God. I love the way her character, Thomas, searches for truth and ultimately learns that God desires a relationship with us first and foremost.
  • I enjoyed the mystery behind the Stone Plague. It added more complexity to the plot and was a clever concept.

Cons

  • It took me a long time to warm up to the main character (Thomas Fawkes). I almost stopped reading the book because I didn’t like him or identify with him. That would have been a mistake, because I loved him by the end of the book. But be warned – it might take you a bit to like him too.

Final Word

Worth Reading.

Discussion Questions

 
  1. The Gunpowder Plot is a real historic event. Do a little research and see how the author changed the events to fit the story.
  2. Emma Areben and Guy Fawkes both refused to be seen without their masks, but both for different reasons. Have you ever wished you could hide behind a mask? Who do you allow to see the real you?
  3. The Igniters and Keepers had different views of the White Light. Which viewpoint was correct? Or was the answer somewhere in between?
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Refugee by Alan Gratz

 

Refugee is a book about three families searching for a new home. It is appropriate for older teens as it has mature themes.

Synopsis

Three kids travel to find refuge…

JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. After his father is released from a concentration camp his family must board a ship to flee to the other side of the world…

ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety in America . . .

MAHMOUD is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe . . .

They all face terror and death but they believe that there is something better out there. A place where they can live in peace. And although these children are separated by continents and time their stories of hope are bound together.

Pros:

  • amazing stories that show the humanity behind the word “refugee”.
  • well paced, riveting book that kept me turning the pages.
  • had many historical details in it which is good for students to discuss.
  • each one of the three voices are unique.

Cons:

  • traumatic experiences are had by all the children and may be hard for the more sensitive reader.
  • the story jumps between three points of view which some people may find annoying.

Conclusion:

Honestly, I would recommend this book to everyone. It really helped me see past the generic term “refugee” and acknowledge the people/victims behind this very real crisis. Although this is a piece of fiction the author has remained true to the historical catalysts that set each of the great voyages in motion. Although at some points in time it is hard to read it is a story of hope and it really blessed me.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Did this book change your idea about what a refugee is? Why or why not?
  2. Many people in both the Canada and the US have refugees in their family tree. Talk to your family/friend and find out more about their trip to find a new home.
  3. Brainstorm some ways that we can help refugees as they travel and when they arrive to their new homes.
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The Grey King by Susan Cooper

 

The Grey King had been recommended to me some time ago by a lover of high fantasy. Since it’s a Newbery Medal winner, I was willing to try it out, and if I liked it, I’d read the whole series: The Dark Is Rising Sequence.

My fellow Scriblerian, Tim, will not be happy with me.  And no, he was not the one who recommended that I read the series.

I can see why it won the Newbery back in the Seventies, but as a Christian, I had trouble with it. A disturbing trinity of Lords most definitely does NOT represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as I would expect Christian-based fantasy to symbolize. I found the concept of “Old Ones” confusing –in this case, a young boy who truly has been born into a family, but his soul is “old”—it smacks of reincarnation. So if I found it confusing, what goes on in the minds of young readers as they take in this world of  fantastical spirit mixed with humanity?

Synopsis

Of course, the setting is Wales, with lots of unintelligible spellings, swirling mists, and magical doors. Thank goodness the main characters have simple names like Will, Bran, and John. It is up to young Will, the last born of the Old Ones, to save the world from the forces of evil led by the Grey Wolf. To succeed, Will must wake up Six Sleepers with a magical golden harp. The humans are unaware of the danger except for Bran, a boy close to Will’s age who was transported through time by another of the Old Ones.

Pros

  1. Loads of action for boys’ tastes. (Have you ever noticed that girls are happy to read action stories, but boys rarely peruse a sweet romance?)
  2. Susan Cooper spends a good deal of time teaching her readers how to pronounce Welsh words. I’ve never understood Welsh phonics, so I had a great time sounding out words as I learned the rules.
  3. Spoiler: the good guys win. On to the next book of the series, Silver on the Tree.

Cons

  1. If you are a parent wanting easily identifiable, Christian symbolism for your child to understand, you won’t get it here.
  2. With forty-plus years of high fantasy novels following The Dark Is Rising Sequence, the plot may seem trite to twenty-first century readers.

Conclusion

The vocabulary is geared toward the more capable reading ability, and definitely not for anyone under the age of nine. Because the writing is so good, I won’t pan the series, but if my sons had read the book, I would’ve wanted to discuss it chapter by chapter.