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

The Fallen (and Leviathan) by Thomas E. Sniegoski

The stark simplicity of the black and white photo and the singular title is what captured my attention as I scanned the book racks looking for another interesting read….a quest for redemption and a mystery… to me this became an irresistable combination and a must have read!  I was NOT to be disappointed!!

The Fallen 1 and Leviathan are the  first two books in a four- book series by author Thomas Sniegoski.

Usually I am a little leary of books that have angels in the forefront….but this author truly surprised me !   The angels in these series of four books are like no angels that I had ever read about.   Angel mythology and prophecies…and very potent combination in my opinion!    

As an onlooker you see how over time human vices such as jealousy, prejudice, indecision, anger impact upon the ‘Fallen Angels’ and this then sets the stage for conflict and possible resolution. 

Orphaned since birth, Aaron Corbet has finely found a measure of security with the Stanleys and their autistic son Stevie.    Aaron has just turned 18 and is plagued by intense, vivid and often violent dreams — that upon waking leave him disturbed and shaking.  It is the power of these unsettling dreams that have Aaron begin to question  his sanity and he tries to dismiss the heavy foreboding feelings that begin to plague him.  He wants to confide in someone, like Vilma the cute girl in his class, but his fears keep him silent.  He copes by working at his after school job, the  West Lynn Veterinary Hospital and talking to Gabriel, his attention craving yellow retriever. Then two  mysterious strangers approach him, telling him that he has a destiny like no one else…. that he is the chosen one …  the one that was prophesied  millenia ago…that his role will be as a liaison between angels, mortals, and Powers both good and evil ….  it is not a destiny that he wants and he fights to remain a normal teenager! 

 Sniegoski skillfully keeps this wonderful  plot moving by sprinkling great action scenes throughout.  I was really connecting with Aaron and Gabe and definately ‘boooing’ Verchiel, the angel that put himself incharge of hunting Aaron down.  I am very glad that I had the the two-in-one version of the book — and am almost finished with the second two-in-one “ The Fallen 2 : Aerie and Reckoning “!   

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants  to read about angels in another light… so to speak!!

Author Wedsite:  http://www.sniegoski.com/fallen/

Added Reviews and discussions:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7171880-the-fallen-2

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

Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City

Name of book: Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City by Kirsten Miller

Themes: Adventure, girl power, middle school, fun

At first I didn’t think that I would enjoy this book, however after the first chapter which I found a little shaky,  I really started to enjoy the originality of the characters and plot.  Kirsten Miller has created a fabulous book for middle school girls, and of course adults too, her group of Irregulars are entertaining to say the least. The Irregulars are a misfit band of outcasts from the Girl Scouts, all with interesting talents and abilities.  Kirsten used the name Irregulars “as a tribute to another group of young delinquents — Sherlock Holmes’s Baker Street Irregulars. The original Irregulars were Victorian street urchins who worked as spies and errand boys for the world’s most famous detective. They were given the tasks no adult could perform.” While Sherlock’s group was missing a female presence,  we are fortunate to have Kirsten give us  a group of strong, curious and  intelligent girls who are ready to take on any adventure.

This book will definitely develop devotees among middle school girls, the writing is witty and engaging and the lists that the narrator, Ananka Fishbein, makes are terrific! Check-out http://www.kikistrike.com/

Escape under the forever sky by Eve Yohalem

Escape under a forever sky by Eve Yohalem is a gripping read that captured my attention right from the beginning!  This  story of  thirteen year-old  Lucy  and her US Ambassador mother takes place in Ethiopia. The  over protectiveness of Lucy’s mother eventually leads Lucy to rebel and the consequences lead to the kidnapping of Lucy. Digging deep within herself, Lucy finds the courage and tenacity that allow her to escape her captors and  her survival in the harsh sub-African Savannah.  At one point the reader becomes as mesmerized as Lucy herself when she encounters a pride of lions on her flight to freedom. Despite Lucy’s ordeal, she is still awed by the  power of  the beauty of Africa and all the wildlife!  

What is even amazing is that this adventure story is loosely based on an actual event from 2005.

Reading ability:  Junior, grade 5, 6 and up

Genre: Adventure; Survival;  Africa

Theme: Realistic fiction; Kidnapping; Ethiopia; Africa; Courage

Similiar Books:  Alexandria of Africa by Eric Walters

Who would like this book?  Any girl or boy from Grade 5 up wanting to read about life on the African savanah, the people and wildlife.

Similar Read: The White Giraffe by Lauren St. John

Book Trailer:

http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,kids/products_id,7950/