Puddlejumpers by Mark jean & Christopher C. Carlson

Wow, I really enjoyed this book. This is definitely one of the better books I have read this year. It reminds me a lot of of a really good bedtime story. It does a great job of balancing its fantasy with the thrill of very present danger. The villains are just described enough to be really creepy if you have a good imagination, and are just the right amount of bad, which means entirely bad. The heroes, an orphaned reprobate and a irascible tomboy, are in over their heads, and might not make it out alive as they try to stop the incarnation of evil. It sounds like fun doesn’t it?

Ernie Banks is an orphan who is constantly getting into trouble. He gets one last reprieve when he is sent to work on a farm instead of being sent to Juvenile Hall. Ernie isn’t a bad kid, just stubborn, fiercely independent, and loathes authority. No wonder he is in constant trouble, right? He has lived his entire life in an orphanage and only has a crystal acorn that he wears around his neck as a mysterious sign of his origin. Unbeknownst to him, Ernie is actually a participant in a war between Puddlejumpers and Troggs. Puddlejumpers are small creatures much like pixies or brownies, who live deep underground, care for mother nature, and can teleport themselves to the Up Above by jumping through puddles. Troggs on the other hand seek destruction, misery, and the enslavement of all puddlejumpers. Fortunately there can be an end in the battle between the two, because Ernie’s birth was actually foretold in Puddlejumper lore as a child who would be destined to journey to the heart of the Most Dark and make it rain. On top of all this Ernie will also face himself, and discover where he came from and where he belongs.

Like I said above, I really enjoyed this book. Another aspect I liked was that the novel deals deals with environmentalism tangentially, and never in a preachy or ham handed way. The environmental message is there (if you look for it) yet the story is never sacrificed to get this issue across. It’s more of a tacit suggestion. The book is appropriate for all ages, and would recommend it for everyone. It’s a great read.

Posted under a librarian reads, review

Into the Wild by Erin Hunter
This book deserves 5 stars

This is a great adventure about warring clans of warrior cats and the house cat who joins them. It’s suspenseful with a lot of action and great for cat-lovers.

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The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
This book deserves 3 stars

This book was about the two main characters, prince brat and his whipping boy who ran away from the prince’s castle and set off on an adventure. It wasn’t long on their journey until they were abducted and by the end of the book, both characters have changed their lives.

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The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler
This book deserves 4 stars

This exciting, thrilling tale talks about a girl named Emily Windsnap who turns into a mermaid by swimming. She discovers new worlds and tries to get her mother and father back together. Anybody small or tall would enjoy this book!!

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Eldest by Christopher Paolini
This book deserves 5 Stars

The suspenseful sequel to Eragon. Eragon travels to Ellesmeria to resume trainig. Danger lurks around every corner, and Eragon and Saphria are in more danger than ever before. This book truly deserves 5 stars.

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A week in the Woods by  Andrew Clements
This book deserves 3 stars

In A Week in the Woods Mark, the main character, is a rich boy that lives in a mansion.  On his first day at his new school he finds out that all the Kids in his class are so excited to go on a field trip.  The field trip would be a week in the woods. So Mark finally decides to go and he gets in trouble because on the packing list they said no knives. So Mark saw someone with a knife and took it away. Then his science teacher saw Mark with the knife and he got in trouble for it. Later on his teacher has to take Mark back home.  But then Mark escapes and he doesn’t really get lost in the woods but his friends think he is.  After a long day Mark hears his teacher. They find each other and Mark helps his teacher because he had hurt his foot very badly!  His teacher apologizes because he realized that the knife wasn’t really his.  A Week in the Woods is a good book for you if you’re into survival!!!!

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The Monster Series by David Wellington

I am going to admit off the bat that I love David Wellington’s Monster series. Originally, these books were published as online serials. You can find the links off his homepage here. If that wasn’t cool enough, the books are actually really good. Like incredibly good. Like read them now good. But be warned, these novels aren’t for the faint of heart. The VBG level (violence, blood, gore) is at an all time high. So if that’s not your bag and you gross out easily then you should probably find something else on the shelf. But for those who do read these books you will find lots pf action, plenty of survival adventure, and really good character development. These books are recommended for anyone who loves zombies, and are appropriate for ages 14 and up.
More Zombie Fun

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