Book Reviews by Kids - July & Aug 2008

Elantris

by Brandon Sanderson

Elantris was once the most beautiful city in the world, and its godlike inhabitants were almost just as beautiful with their glowing white skin and strange magical powers. At random, people in nearby cities would sometimes transform into these fantastic beings overnight, and then went to Elantris to live. However, one day the incredible city was suddenly transformed into a decaying, rotting, mess and the once beautiful occupants were changed into ugly, pathetic creatures with none of the powers they previously possessed. In addition, people were still being transformed into Elantrians, only this time into their deformed state; the change had become a curse. One day, Raoden, Prince of Arelon, is taken by the transformation and exiled to Elantris, but to save himself from embarrassment, his father spreads the rumor that he has died. His fiancée Princess Sarene from the neighboring country of Teod then journeys to Arelon to try to unravel the mystery of the prince, while Raoden works to uncover the secret of what happened to Elantris. 

In this amazing book Brandon Sanderson has created a full cast of distinct, believable characters that make the story extremely fun to read, as well as constructing a fantastic, original idea for the plot that will leave readers asking for more the moment they put it down. An excellent book choice for fantasy lovers, this book will entertain readers everywhere for many years to come.

Reviewed by Dude Man - age 16

Boots and the Seven Leaguers

by Jane Yolen

Gog, an average teenage troll, has always dreamed of going to a concert performed by his favorite band, Boots and the Seven Leaguers. When the band finally comes to the kingdom to perform he finds a problem in his hands, he doesn’t have tickets to the now sold out concert. Now there is only one way to get in and that’s using magic. But, unfortunately magic always has its consequences, and within minutes of Gog and his best friend Pook finally getting into the concert Gog’s little brother Magog disappears. Soon Gog forgets all about the concert and leaves to rescue Magog, and catch his brother’s evil kidnapper.

This book is filled with thrills, adventures, and normal teenage problems slightly altered into ‘troll style.’ My favorite thing about this book is how the author can always keep someone on his or her toes and make them laugh at the same time.  

Reviewed by Peach - Age 13

If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon

by Ellen Levine and Elroy Freem 

This book is about the pioneers. The pioneers were a group of people who came from Nauvoo, Illinois, who came to Utah because a mob forced them out. In this book it talks about some of the supplies you would need to travel west in a covered wagon. It talks about the food  you would take, the clothes you would take, etc. You would need a lot of stuff because you would be traveling for about six months.

It was interesting to me that they only took two changes of clothes for the whole entire trip. They would wear one change of clothes one day and then the next day they wore the other pair clothes, and washed the change of clothes they word the day before. I learned a lot of stuff in this book.

Reviewed by Sports Guy - Age 11

The Bunny of Bluebell Hill

by Tim Preston

The Bunny of Bluebell Hill is about a bunny who wants to find a new home, but then she finds out her old home is the perfect place for her. I really like it because it tells that what you have is the best thing for you. The rabbit is one of my favorite animals and I really like bluebells. It’s a really good book.

Reviewed by Dancing Flower - Age 6