Sometimes it's a trial being the brother of a powerful witch--especially when you have no magical gifts yourself. Gwendolen Chant, a witch destined for Great Things, and her brother, Cat, are summoned to Chrestomanci Castle. Here they meet the 'Dark Stranger,' who is to become their guardian. Book one of The Chrestomanci Chronicles.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 3/27/2009

ISBN-10: 0688155464

ISBN-13: 9780688155469

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Jenny, a mysterious dog, shows up on Sam's birthday and is happily taken in. At first, Jenny feels safe in her new home, but then she realizes there's danger about. She pulls together a ragtag band of neighborhood dogs to help her in her quest to prevent the destruction of the world.

Reviewed by: sc

Date read: 5/19/2009

ISBN-10: 0399243569

ISBN-13: 9780399243561

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Ember is a city with no lights. The residents think they have found the way out! This suspenseful book will keep you reading for hours. And check out the sequels, The People of Ember, The Prophet of Yonwood, and the Diamond of Darkhold.

Reviewed by: St. Charles Reader

Date read: 10/22/2009

ISBN-10: 0375822747

ISBN-13: 9780375822742

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Coraline and her parents have just moved into a new house. The neighbors are extremely odd but friendly: one neighbor trains mice, and two elderly neighbors give her tea and read her fortune. Despite this she is terribly bored, especially since her parents aren't paying any attention to her. Coraline discovers that there is an empty space in the building next to her apartment, and becomes curious about it. When she finally figures out how to get through the door to the other side, she finds herself in a strange new world. It is awfully like her world, but not quite right. At first it seems great, with delicious foods, marvelous toys, and attentive new parents who look just like her regular parents but have shiny black buttons for eyes. The new parents want her to stay. They want to change her, but she decides to leave. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. There are other children trapped there too, and Coraline must use her wits and anything else she can find to free them all and get back to her ordinary life. This book is a great, spooky adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Similar authors: Garth Nix; China Mieville; Lewis Carroll

Similar books: M is for Magic by Neil Gaiman; Troubletwisters by Garth Nix and Sean Williams; Un Lun Dun by China Mieville; Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Reviewed by: lauraf

Date read: 5/9/2012

ISBN-10: 0380977788

ISBN-13: 9780380977789

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Courtney Crumrin just doesn't fit in. All the kids in her junior high school think she's poor and weird, and the fact that she and her parents have moved in with creepy and mysterious Uncle Aloysius doesn't help. At night she hears strange noises in her bedroom, and sees small creatures in the shadows. Courtney decides to investigate, so she sneaks into her Uncle's private study. Inside it's like a wizard's den, filled with amulets, mystical books, and other strange objects. The more she reads from her Uncle's books, the more 'Night Things' she begins to see in the world around her. Courtney tries her hand at a little magic, makes deals with a otherworldly creatures, and even visits the Goblin Market. Throughout the book, the black and white pictures vividly illustrate the eerie and magical world that Courtney is being drawn into. Will she ever fit in? Will the Night Things ever leave her alone?

Similar authors: Neil Gaiman; Jennifer L. Holm; Kate Egan

Similar books: Coraline by Neil Gaiman; Babymouse: Queen of the World by Jennifer L. Holm

Reviewed by: lauraf

Date read: 5/8/2012

ISBN-10: 1929998600

ISBN-13: 9781929998609

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