The Kingdom Keepers : Disney after dark by Ridley Pearson

Published

September 1st 2005 by Disney Editions

Hardcover, 336 pages

isbn13: 9780786854448

‘Disney’ ….. a word that is recognizable in what ever language and being an avid Disney fan, I naturally gravitated towards this book by Ridley Pearson.

This story ‘Disney after dark’, is the first in the series “Kingdom  Keepers”.  It is not a story that will  envoke the warm and fuzzy feeling that one usually associates with ‘Disney’!  Action, suspense, fantasy and threats taunt and plague the five young characters that are central in this story.  These five teens find themselves pitted against all the traditional and not so traditional villianous characters that inhabit Disney. Being that this is the 21st century, technology now plays a vital role for these protagonists,  but it ends up leaving them with unexpected side effects!

 If you never have had the opportunity of experiencing the Magic Kingdom…then you are in for a wonderful ‘magical ride’ in Ridley Pearson’s book   “The Kingdom Keepers.”

  

Genre: Fantasy/Thriller/ Suspense 

Interest Level: Grade 6 to 9

Book Weblink: http://www.thekingdomkeepers.com/

 Author Talk about the Book:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb-X4uPjqnk&feature=youtu.be

You Tube Keepers Movie tr:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtQOdGj7A1g&NR=1

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npCAlQwiL_0&feature=related

Skeleton Key: The Graphic Novel by Antony Johnston and Anthony Horowitz

Grade Level: 6 – 8

Fountas and Pinnell Level: O

Theme:  Adventure, Good and Evil

Genre: Science Fiction, Action

Alex Rider is hired by the CIA to divert attention from his “mom and dad” spies.  He, however, sees himself as more of an accomplice until the real spies are killed, and he willingly takes over.  This action-packed graphic novel comes filled with everything from atomic bombs to James Bond gadgets such as expanding chewing gum. 

This was actually the first graphic novel I’d ever read.  I found it a very quick and enjoyable read, although it took me a little while to get used to “reading” the pictures as well as the text.  My students enjoyed the action of this book, and very few of them abandoned this great story.

ISBN-13: 978-0399254185

The Roar by Emma Clayton

Despite the lack luster cover this science fiction/fantasy debut novel by Emma Clayton is a fast paced thriller that takes place in a very bleak- near future.  Human  survival depended upon ‘The Wall’ that was built …to protect the population  from the highly televised and dreaded Animal Plague, which caused all of nature to be destroyed. The world is now one of concrete and chemicals, poverty and a new government controlling the human population.

 In the opening chapter we see a young girl trying to escape the the clutches of  her kidnapper, Mal Gorman after she has learned “The Secret”.  Only moments away from her home she is unfortunately  re-captured. It is at the location of  re-capture that we are then introduced to her twin brother Mika…..unknowingly the two share thoughts and feelings. Mika’s twin sister, Ellie, was kidnapped over a year ago and even their parents have given up hope and declared her dead. But Mika has always been able to feel that Ellie was alive somewhere. A series of circumstances develop and Mika begins his quest  searching for his ’dead’ sister.

  I was hooked from the opening chapter in this page turner. Clayton has filled this novel with  descriptive passages and has enough of the supernatural, suspense, drama and adventure mixed in with scenes of  pod fighters battles, attacks by animal borgs, strange mental powers,  that it will entice even the most reluctant reader!

This is a powerful book that will definitely get any reader thinking about mass media manipulation, ecology, environmentalism and technology.

Reading Level:  Grade 6,7,8 (Junior, intermediate)

Genre: Science fiction; Fantasy; Suspense

Theme: Environmentalism; Technology; Video Games; Ecology; Government; Mass Media; Virtual reality

Similar Books:  Gone by  Grant;  The Hunger Games by Collins; Ender’s Game by O. Scott Card; The Giver by Lowery; The Golden Compass by Pullman

and for younger readers: The Shadow Children series by Haddix

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqZFvrP9CL0&feature=related

Night Runner by Max Turner

From the Publisher: For Zack Thomson, living in the Nicholls Ward isn’t so bad. After his parents died, he developed strange and severe allergies, and the mental institution was the only place where he could be properly looked after. As strange as it was, it was home.He could watch as much television as he wanted; his best friend Charlie visited him often enough; and Nurse Ophelia the prettiest no-nonsense nurse ever sometimes took him bowling. Of course, that didn’t mean he had it easy. 

Zack has to quickly sort out his life while on the run. This is a terrific book! He has lots to think about and to figure out about his surprising new abilities.  This would be a good book for a literature circle as it is exciting but easy to read

Who would like this?  Middle School Student

Genre: Adventure, Science Fiction

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

This is the story of Kelley Winslow, a 17-year-old girl who has moved to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. Kelley gets an understudy job with a ramshackle repertory company, but in true theatrical-fairy-tale fashion, the lead actress breaks her ankle and Kelley is called upon to play Titania in the upcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Then she meets Sonny Flannery, whose steel-gray eyes mask an equally steely determination to protect her.

Sonny guards the Samhain Gate, which connects the mortal realm with the Faerie’s enchanted, dangerous Otherworld. Usually kept shut by order of icy King Auberon, the Gate stands open but once a year.

This year, as the time approaches when the Samhain Gate will swing wide and nightmarish Fae will fight their way into an unsuspecting human world, something different is happening . . . something wondrous and strange. And Kelley’s eyes are opening not just to the Faerie that surround her but to the heritage that awaits her.

Now Kelley must navigate deadly Faerie treachery—and her growing feelings for Sonny—in this dazzling page-turner filled with luminous romance.

Wondrous Strange is a richly layered tale of love between faerie and mortal, betrayal between kings and queens, and magic . . . between author and reader.

This debut YA novel by Canadian author Lesley Livingston, is a real page turner! 

Reading Ability: Intermediate (mature teen read)

Genre: Fantasy; Science fiction; Magic; Romance

Theme: Friendship; Romance; Good vs Evil; Magic

Who would like this book? Anyone who enjoys a good fantasy mixed with a little romance!

Author Link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BEYY-0BO5g&feature=channel_page&fmt=18