Kids Books - Science Fiction
Among the Free (Shadow Children)
By Margaret Peterson Haddix
Among the Free by Margaret Peterson Haddix is an interesting book that really makes you realize how lucky you can be. It is also a bit mysterious. Like when the main character's enemy/frenemy seems to be up to something. Overall it is a pretty good book and i would recommend it to kids ages 8-10.
The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns
By Chris Colfer
Have you ever wondered what the backstory of the evil enchantress from Sleeping Beauty is like? From first glance, she might seem completely evil, but clearly, Chris Colfer, author of Land of Stories thinks there’s more to it. Here’s a short summary: After Alex’s mom got kidnapped by the enchantress she had to stay cooped up. She goes to her grandma’s house and then falls but in time her brother caught her. When they reached their grandma’s house they found a way to go to the fairy tale world. They meet an old friend Froggy and they go to Red Riding Hood's castle. When they heard the enchantress was taking over the world they thought they needed to do something. They started to go get the things for the wand of wonderment. When they got the Snow queen’s scepter she prophesied out of the 4 travellers 1 would stay. After the harp went into the wand Jack, Goldie, Red, Froggy, and Conner got trapped by the vines. Alex started to get determined and she needed the enchantress' anger. After she got some by talking to her she got blasted by the enchantress. She came back and dropped the wand on purpose and started beating the enchantress. She was beating the enchantress by words. The enchantress started to lose her power. But then the enchantress got the wand. Conner got Goldielocks’s sword and cut it in half. Some things I appreciated about the book were the themes, characters, and worldbuilding. A theme that I discovered while embarking on a journey with Alex and Connor in Book 2 is to never give up because you never know what is going to happen. I know because when Alex beat the Enchantress she never knew it was going to end like that. There was also some significant character development. In the first book Conner never paid attention to the class. But in the second book he became a good writer after he experienced the fairy tale world. Alex on the other hand she stayed the same and is still a straight A student. Lastly, I was intrigued by what happened in the fantasy world that Colfer created. In the fairy tale world there is castles, caves, villages, Kingdoms, Towers Overall, I’d rate the book 5 stars because it doesn’t have any confusing parts. It is also a very imaginative book. I would recommend this book to third graders because it seems like it would be popular among that age group because the fantasy aspect is very engaging.
The Brightest Night (Wings of Fire, Book 5)
By Tui T. Sutherland
I think this is one of the most brilliant books to come of the series. The ending was truly satisfying. (SPOILED ALERT) but I think it was the perfect ending for all the chracters. I think Winter going off to Santuary and really finding himself is so important for him in terms of chracter growth and finding yourself. His whole life has been about the circles and rank and nobility, Now he's this free dragon that sudden;y doesn't really have a place in this world. And as frusturating as it was to see WInter join the fight, it totally makes sense and it shouldn't have gone any other way, Of course he's going to be loyal to his family. That's his whole ideology. And for Quibli. I think it was just perfect for the Jade Mountain Prophecy series to end with his POV becasie Quibliis just such a complex, intresting chracter that we get to explore as readers in this book, The fact that so much happens in just one book is incredible by itself but the readers POV is not one full of rage and revenge like WInter or Peril or scared and full of constant doubt like Turtle. I feel like this is a very close feel to the OG Dragonet Prophecy series. (Both are amazing though not comparing). And the fact that Moon chooses Quibli. We see although he's a very smart character, he still has the normal doubt over whether a girl likes him or the other dashing hero. Of course his mind would go to WInter although he's obviously in love with Moon as we can see when they arrive at the old NIght Kingdom. I think he's also the better choice for Moon because he really sees Mooon for who she is. And the fact that it leaves off on a cliffhanger. This book has so many layers and so mnay things that I can talk about this book for hours. But to sum all this up, Darkness of Dragons is one of the best books (in my opinion) out of all the WIngs of FIre books and might even be on my all time favorite list.
This Shattered World: A Starbound Novel
By Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner
This started out a little slow, but as the story wore on, I began to become invested in the plot, and now I can't wait to read the end to this trio!
The Hive Queen (Wings of Fire, Book 12)
By Tui T. Sutherland
Getting close to the end and I'm sad. In this book we learn a lot about Cricket and her life before she met her friends. We learn why she's different and how she really feels about Blue. Lots of twists and turns abound in this installation of the story, and there is no lacking for suspense in this one either. My favorite part only gives away a small portion of the plot line but I have to mention it. They end up caring for a baby dragonet that hatches on their watch and it becomes attached to the grumpy Sundew. So much cuteness and hilariousness ensues! I so love that part of the story! Can't wait to see how it develops and if it does in the next book, which I could only get in hardcover and is sitting next to me. A wonderful series and I love it. For such a short Wings of Fire book, I found myself clinging to the pages, eager to see what was going to happen next. This series hasn't disappointed me yet, and this book certainly didn't let me down. The characters are all so lovable, especially sweet bookworm Cricket and Sundew, who grew on me as the book progressed. But what I really like about this particular arc of the Wings of Fire series is just how serious these books get. This one deals with slavery and neglectful parents in a way that I believe any reader could understand and draw their own conclusions from. And of course, what I always love about this series are the epilogues. This book's epilogue was chilling, and I cannot wait to read book 13 to see what happens next.
The Siege of Macindaw (Ranger's Apprentice)
By John A. Flanagan
Ranger51
BEST SERIES EVER!! Book 6 was kind of a continuation of Book 5, where it suddenly twists it at the end - like in the movies, where the guy you think is the good guy turns out to be the murderer in the end! Well, it turned out like this kind of in the book (although not with murderers but with taking over kingdoms and castles and locking people up and stuff like that!) Well, Will calls on the help of his friends Halt and Horace to round up an army to retake Castle Macindaw! Except, if they don't have enough men all they can do is use some brilliant genius to make up a big trick!! (Or hire some Skandians to help!... or is it Skandinavians... I forgot... ;P) Or maybe he'll do both! Really, read this book!! (and check out my other reviews on books earlier on in the series!)
The Egypt Game
By Zilpha Keatley Snyder
In this book, six sixth-graders form their own secret society devoted to Egypt-related things. In the beginning, April moves from Hollywood to an unspecified Californian city famous for its university–her mother is busy pursuing a career as an esteemed actress. April, considered eccentric by many, makes friends with Melanie, who lives in April's grandmother's apartment; they discover their shared interest for imagining, and they invent the titular Egypt Game. Melanie's younger brother, a girl living in the apartment, and two boys from school all become involved in the Egypt game. But soon, a murder occurs, and the children are all cautioned to stay indoors–and the main suspect is the Professor, the reclusive man, in whose storage yard the Egyptians worship Egyptian Gods. Who is this strange human? And, who is the real criminal? This is a great book, full of good dialogue and realistic characters. It's witty and the writing is good too, but at times it seems a little dated, such as when the characters say "fink" and other weird words (this was written in 1967). I would recommend this book to people who like realistic fiction, as it focuses more on the friendships developing between the Egyptians than the actual mystery, though it is still important to the plot.
These Broken Stars
By Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner
This book was incredible. I cannot believe that the sequel will pass this up! For fans of Skyward, Defy the Stars, or space romance!
Zombie in Love
By Kelly DiPucchio
I like this book because the Zombie is looking for a date for the ball. he looks for one from day to night and still can't find one. Spoiler: He goes to the ball anyway and he finds one he was in love. so that is why I give this book five stars.
The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings) (Vol 2)
By J. R. R. Tolkien
If you liked the first Lord of the Rings book, you'll love the sequel. The book The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien is set somewhere in the year 3023 In the fictional land of Middle-Earth. The major protagonist would be Frodo Baggins, son of Drogo. He has to destroy the accursed Ring of Power in Mount Doom, right under the nose of the major antagonist, Sauron. Lots of minor skirmishes happen, but the most intense battles are the storming of Isengard, and the battle of Helm's Deep. One of the turning points in the book might be when Frodo and Sam had decided to leave the Fellowship, and travel to Mordor alone. Through many dangers, the book shows the loyalty of Sam, and how the main characters are able to reach the mountains. And as if it wasn't pressure enough, their friends are on the other side of the world, fighting a war they cannot win. Frodo must reach Mordor before Rohan and Gondor fail. I like the book, because despite the fact that there are many kingdoms, Tolkien is consistent in direction.