It is July 1896 and Professor Giles McFarlane is leading a group of archeology students in exploring the remains of what they believe is Redmont Castle. He is hoping to find some shred of evidence that the stories about the mysterious Ranger Corps of Araluen were a reality and not a folktale. What he finds surpasses all of his expectations and it will answer some of the questions fans of the Ranger's Apprentice series were left with after The Emperor of Nihon-Ja. Enjoy this collection of stories that brings this popular series to a close.

Reviewed by: caroll

Date read: 1/10/2012

ISBN-13: 9780399256089

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Unhappy to be the only one in his class who still has not lost a tooth, first-grader, Freddy, works on a remedy for the situation. When eating crunchy vegetables, or tying a string to the doorknob, don't work, he decides to pick a fight with the class bully at recess, to get it knocked out, even if this gets him into trouble. This is book 1 of the Ready Freddy series.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0439555965

ISBN-13: 9780439555968

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Twelve-year-old George's mother died when he was young, and his dad is in search of get rich quick schemes in Florida. So George lives with his pregnant sister, and her husband, in the Versailles trailer park in Ohio. George's brother-in-law works at the town mill, like most of the town residents. One day the mill is closed down due to pollution violations, and George comes home to find his family has driven off in search of a new job. They have left him $50 to follow them. Instead, George decides to live above the pool house of the towns' richest family, whose son George knows from school. When the family discovers him, and he meets and impresses the family's matriarchal grandmother, they invite him to live in the house, at least until the school term is over. George goes from ripped jeans and faded flannels to khakis and polo shirt, from the school bus to a chauffeured Mercedes. It's the life about which George always dreamed. When school is over, the Grandmother wants to legally adopt George- but what does George want- will he stay- or join his sister and brother-in-law?

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 4/29/2009

ISBN-10: 0689831463

ISBN-13: 9780689831461

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Adam's dad has gone to get the deed to the land. While he is away, three men capture Adam, his mom, and his sister. Will they escape? Will Adam's dad come back in time to help them?

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 11/5/2009

ISBN-10: 0823406504

ISBN-13: 9780823406500

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In this first entry into the Time Soldiers series, a group of kids discover a portal to a time past, where they encounter all different kinds of dinosaurs, including a Tyrannosaurus Rex looking for a meal! Lush, full-size images, created using a combination of photography and digital manipulation, make the world appear real. In a picture-book format, but suitable for older readers, this is a great book for any student who loves dinosaurs and stories with a lot of action.

Reviewed by: emc

Date read: 2/26/2010

ISBN-10: 1929945183

ISBN-13: 9781929945184

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