Linda Ashman
Children's Book Author

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!

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!!!

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!!!!

Junior lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation. He went to school there, also. That is, until he nailed his teacher with a book. That prompted his teacher to visit Junior. There, he persuaded Junior to go to a school in a nearby town. With WHITE kids. When Junior tells Rowdy, his best friend, about his decision Rowdy instantly hates him. And Junior loses the only person who stands up for him--his only friend.

At his new school, Junior makes some friends. He also makes the basketball team. His team's first game is back at the reservation where most people hate Junior. They don't try to hide it at the game. By the time the game ends, Junior has had three stitches, and a concussion--courtesy of Rowdy. But still more tragedy is in store for Junior and his family.

Sherman Alexie's book is both sad and funny. It won the NATIONAL BOOK AWARD, and is well deserving of the honor. This story gives you a first-hand look at the sadness that a poor Indian must live with, and deserves every honor and every bit of praise it has gotten. All said, it is one of the best books I have read.

Rating:5 out of 5--A near perfect book.



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

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).