Linda Ashman
Children's Book Author

Sir Michael Sevenson, a man of noble blood, leaves home and the promise of being a steward to follow a profession centuries out of date: a Knight Errant. Going on adventures with the man he redeemed of a crime (aka his "squire," Fisk), the two make a terrible mistake. As a result, they are put in the position of having to track down a murderess, apologize to a liege lord, and when finished, Sir Michael will have to go back home to the job he left a year ago: being his brother's steward.

If he fails in any part of the quest, Sir Michael will have the tattoos of an unredeemed man on his wrists, and will never have any respect or help again.

As you follow the two through many an awkward, or nail-biting predicament, the surprises keep coming. Hilari Bell weaves two great stories, keeping you guessing, laughing, and enjoying the whole time.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5: two outstanding books.

In this trilogy, Djinni (or spirit, or demon) Bartimaeus is summoned by a London magician named Nathaniel, also known as John Mandrake. As Bartimaeus carries out the orders that Nathaniel gives him, the two find multiple plots, fight rebelling "commoners" and keep readers at the edge of their seat. The longer the two stay together, the more you learn about Bartimaeus' past, the more trusting the two get (even though they often get in fights). In the final book, Nathaniel and his friend Kitty put the ultimate amount of trust in Bartimaeus, and Nathaniel gives Bartimaeus one final gift, that was given to Bartimaeus thousands of years before.

This was a trilogy that I simply could not put down. The books were very well written, and were laugh-out-loud funny, with thrilling action that seemingly never ceased, and back-stabbing friends and government. This is a series that is as good as any, and will keep readers wanting more, and finding themselves sad when they read the end of the third book, with the great series coming to an end.

RATING: 5 out of 5. Great series!

Artemis' mother is terribly sick, and when Artemis uses magic to try to heal her, it only gets worse. So Artemis calls one of his fairy friends, Holly Short. But he needs more. Artemis needs No. 1--the very powerful demon warlock.

With the help of Foaly the centaur, they find out that Artemis' mother has an illness that is not curable--almost. There was an outbreak of it in the fairy world, and Opal Koboi was able to find a cure. With the Silky Sifaka Lemur. And now, Angeline Fowl's only chance of surviving is that lemur. Oh, one problem- the lemur is extinct, the last one sold to a group called The Extinctionists eight years earlier. By none other than the ten year old Artemis for money so he could try to find his then-lost father.

Artemis needs No. 1 to cast a time spell, so he can save the lemur from his younger self, but Foaly will not allow Holly to go with Artemis. Artemis lies, to try to get Holly to go with him. It works but he regrets having to tell the lie which made Holly come along.

In their adventure to eight years earlier, the plan goes awry, and Artemis can't seem to remember anything. The younger Artemis captures the team of two, and when they thought that it would go easy they need the help of a younger Mulch Diggums. They get the lemur back, but Butler gets something else.

Eoin Colfer's series is outstanding, incredible, enjoyable and very fun to read. Artemis' adventures and plans make for great reads. THE TIME PARADOX, along with all the other books in the series, are books that when you finish you just want to go back to the beginning, and enjoy it again. THE TIME PARADOX is another success from Eoin Colfer.


RATING: 5 OUT OF 5-PERFECT!

Artemis Fowl is a twelve year old criminal mastermind. When he hatches a plan to get gold, he and Butler (his servant) travel across continents in search of a vital part of his plan. What he needs is The Book, a fairy book. A bible of sorts.

When he finally finds it, there is no stopping Artemis. Everything he planned works. But eventually he will make a mistake. And will he really be able to complete the most important part? Does he know enough about fairies to outsmart them, and get out alive?

From page one, Eoin Colfer keeps you turning the pages. You stay on the edge of your seat as this gripping tale unfolds. A book that seems completely real, ARTEMIS FOWL keeps you guessing page after page. A book generations will enjoy. In my opinion, one of the best fairy tales ever written.

After reading this book, read THE ARCTIC INCIDENT, the next book in the series.


RATING: 5 out of 5. A must read!!

Percy and his friend Annabeth are in the woods, playing a camp game. When they suddenly need to hide, they go into a rock cluster...and the two fall down a hole into a mysterious new place. Annabeth finds the mark of Daedalus, and the friends are able to get back to Camp Half-Blood, but the camp is terrified. Annabeth and Percy had been in the Labyrinth.

The camp is so scared because their enemy, Luke, could get right into camp. And they wouldn't have to cross the magical borders that protect the camp from monsters. The huge army could just pop up, out of the ground-if they can find the entrance. Percy, Annabeth, Grover and Tyson journey into the Labyrinth to try to make sure that Luke's army can't.

Riordan out does himself again. This book is suspenseful, funny, and a great read for all ages. This series just gets better and better, and many fans will be sad when they finish the last book. This series lets you enjoy each book and also learn about Greek mythology.

RATING: 5 out of 5. This series is INCREDIBLE!!!

After 9th grader Jack Perdu has a serious accident, he needs to go to see a doctor in New York. Before he leaves, he makes a new friend at the subway station- a girl Jack's age named Euri. Euri offers to show Jack around the station before he leaves on his train, and he follows her.

As they go down in to the subway station's secret places, Jack notices something weird about Euri. As they venture ever deeper towards the heart of the station, he learns more about the mysterious girl. And he learns that she might be able to help find Jack's dead mother. But time for the two is running out.

Katherine Marsh locks you in from page one. She keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering if Jack and Euri will ever leave the station alive. A very good read for everyone who is into suspense. All said, this book is a bright star in every library, and will be enjoyed for many years to come.

RATING: 5 out of 5.

When Percy Jackson and some of his half-blood friends get an emergency call to a school from his best friend Grover, they find out that there are two half-bloods at the school...and a monster. The monster is a Manticore--a dangerous creature who uses its tail to throw poisonous spikes. When the half-bloods that Grover found disappear, Percy goes to look for them. And he finds them, too. Except they're with the Manticore.

Percy tries to fight the monster, but is overpowered and needs help from his friends. He contacts them, and they come, but they aren't alone. The Hunters of Artemis also show up. Together they are able to keep the monster at bay. But when Artemis leaves on a mission and gets captured, the Oracle at camp gives a quest to Zoe Nightshade, a very important hunter. As Percy joins the quest, he journeys through many places, and searches for Artemis. But he also goes along on the quest for another reason.

Can everything end well??

Riordan does it again, crafting yet another incredible book. As Percy journeys, you get many laughs, and find yourself flipping page after page, so caught up in the great plot. Another must-read by Rick Riordan.

RATING:5 OUT OF 5--THIS SERIES IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH IN THE BOOK WORLD!!!!

Percy is one day away from finishing his 7th grade year. There have been no monster attacks, and he hasn't gotten expelled. Yet. When his mom tells him bad news about Camp Half-Blood, and some new kids come to school, it all changes. Percy is forced to go to camp, even though it isn't safe for him.

When he arrives at camp, it is in horrible condition. There is only one thing he can do to save it. Travel into a Cyclops' lair, and steal the golden fleece. Did I mention that the lair is in the Sea of Monsters? Surprises come, and the only thing Percy can do is try to stay alive. Will this leave him enough time????

Riordan again writes an incredible book--the perfect follow-up to THE LIGHTNING THIEF. A riveting plot and great characters lead to yet another fantastic read. This book is another page turner. Riordan has crafted a series that gives even Harry Potter a run for its money.

Rating: 5 out of 5. WELL DONE.

This is the last book in one of the best series that I have ever read. The action doesn't stop until the series has come to a great end.

In the book, it is the final battle. While the gods are all away fighting a monster, Kronos attacks, leaving Percy and his friends from Camp Half-Blood to defend Mount Olympus. One of Percy's friends, Nico--the son of Hades--has an idea.

The idea might kill Percy, but if he agrees to do it, he would become virtually indestructible.

This book engages you from the start, and doesn't let you put it down until you have come to the end of another classic. It has everything that a series ending book should have. It is satisfying, and doesn't leave any questions unanswered. I look for many more great books from Rick Riordan.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Avery has super powers. He can fly. He has super strength. There's only one problem. He can't tell anyone.

When a strange woman contacts Avery, and says she can make him better, the best he can be, Avery doesn't know what to do. At Avery's new school, there are two people that seem to be super. Just like him. When one of the two people invites Avery to a party, where there will be other people with super powers, Avery is amazed.

Avery learns things, and can only wonder if the stuff he hears is true.

Dull Boy is laugh-out-loud funny, and a great book for older readers.

Rating: 5 out of 5.


WARNING!!!!!!!!!! THIS BOOK HAS SOME LANGUAGE THAT MAY BE OFFENSIVE.

Meet Percy Jackson, a kid who has bad things happen to him constantly, especially on field trips. The Saratoga Battlefield: He accidentally blew up a school bus with a Revolutionary War cannon; Marine World shark pool: Percy accidentally hits the wrong lever and his class takes a bath. And on the latest field trip: His pre-algebra teacher attacks him. That's how he finds out he's a "half blood".

He goes to Camp Half-Blood: a safe place for people like him--a son of a Greek god and a mortal. When Zeus's symbol of power gets stolen, he is chosen to confront the suspect: Hades.

Rick Riordan keeps you reading and excited the whole way. A laugh out loud book, it makes you want to learn more about all the gods and goddesses. When this book is finished, you will be very sad until you read the next three books. A thrilling, action packed series-starter that makes you want more. One of the best books I have ever read, I think this book will never run out of good laughs even if you read it 5 or 6 times.

Rating: 5 out of 5 (I would give it a 30 but the rating system only goes up to 5).