Author Tamora Pierce is known for her marvelous fantasy stories featuring tales of magic and heroism, usually featuring brave and mighty girls. In 'Sandry's Book' she delivers the first in a quartet of books about a group of remarkable children who each possess a unique magical ability. Each of them is an outcast in their own way, and under the strict guidance of the teachers at the Winding Earth Temple where they have come to live they learn to work their magic. A noble girl, Sandry's magic is in weaving. Street thief Briar can communicate with and influence plants and growing things. Daja, an orphaned Trader, has a magical connection to metal, and the moody, prickly Tris has a relationship with the weather that unsettles even her. When a looming disaster threatens the group, they must learn to overcome their differences and work together in order to save themselves.

Similar books: Alanna by Tamora Pierce; Magic Steps by Tamora Pierce

Reviewed by: lauraf

Date read: 9/27/2012

ISBN-10: 0613179358

ISBN-13: 9780613179355

Check the library catalog

What would it be like to have a unicorn as your own special friend? Meet Sarah who lives in the forest with her Aunt Mag. Aunt Mag used to be a nice witch until a magic spell blew up in her face and turned her heart into stone. Now all Aunt Mag thinks about is being a powerful witch and making Sarah's life miserable. One night, while gathering toads and spiders in the woods for Aunt Mag, Sarah discovers a beautiful unicorn who fills her nights with adventure and joy. What will Aunt Mag do if she discovers her secret friend whose horn is magical? This book has an easy-to-read story with detailed black and white illustrations that will delight the reader.

Similar books: The Foolish Giant by Bruce and Katherine Coville

Reviewed by: mb

Date read: 7/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0397318731

ISBN-13: 9780397318735

Check the library catalog

Mississippi (Mibs for short) Beaumont awaits her thirteenth birthday with great anticipation and anxiety. At thirteen, members of her family get their 'savvy.' No one knows what their savvy will be. Her brother Rocket causes electricity to explode whenever he passes. Fish can cause huge thunderstorms whenever he is near a body of water. Her mother does everything perfectly. Two days before her birthday, her father is in a car accident and falls into a coma. On the morning of her birthday, Mibs is sure that her savvy is to wake things up, so she just has to get to her father as soon as possible. She stows away on a pink, bible-delivery bus and finds her own Wizard of Oz adventure. This book won a Newbery honor award in 2009.

Similar authors: Kate DiCamillo

Awards nominated: Rebecca Caudill Award 2011

Awards won: Newbery Honor book 2009

Reviewed by: vverscaj

Date read: 8/20/2009

ISBN-10: 0803733062

ISBN-13: 9780803733060

Check the library catalog

Commenter: Ann, grade 8

Commenter: Anya, grade 5

After Jack becomes apprenticed to a Druid bard, who has taken refuge in his village, he, and his little sister, Lucy, are captured by Viking Berserkers, and taken to the home of King Ivar the Boneless, and his half-troll queen. In order to save Lucy, Jack must undertake a dangerous quest to Jotunheim, home of the trolls. Sequel: Land of the Silver Apple.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0689867468

ISBN-13: 9780689867460

Check the library catalog

This tale of a non-funny jester, a talking Buffalope, and a Golmiran Captain very small in stature is spiced with humor from start to finish. The trio encounter brigands,lupers, an evil King, and it all revolves around Kerin, a lovely princess who will become Queen in one year. However, her Uncle has no intention of giving up the throne and devises plot after plot to ensure Kerin will not take her rightful place as Queen. Sebastion's adventures continue in Sebastian Darke: Prince of Pirates.

Reviewed by: adf

Date read: 6/5/2009

ISBN-10: 0385734670

ISBN-13: 9780385734677

Check the library catalog