http://www.slj.com The world's largest reviewer of books, multimedia, and technology for children and teens Thu, 19 Sep 2013 04:10:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 http://www.slj.com/2013/01/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-the-fire-chronicle-the-books-of-beginning-bk-2-audiobook/ http://www.slj.com/2013/01/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-the-fire-chronicle-the-books-of-beginning-bk-2-audiobook/#comments Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:00:07 +0000 SLJ http://www.slj.com/?p=28083 The Fire Chronicle: The Books of Beginning, Book 2. By John Stephens. 10 CDs. 12:22 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-307-87982-0. $37. Gr 4-7–In The Emerald Atlas (2011), the first book in John Stephens’s series, we met Kate, Michael, and Emma who were searching for their missing parents and got caught up in a magical adventure that nearly turned deadly, tested their family bonds, and gained them the first Book. In this second [...]]]> The Fire Chronicle: The Books of Beginning, Book 2. By John Stephens. 10 CDs. 12:22 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2012. ISBN 978-0-307-87982-0. $37.
Gr 4-7–In The Emerald Atlas (2011), the first book in John Stephens’s series, we met Kate, Michael, and Emma who were searching for their missing parents and got caught up in a magical adventure that nearly turned deadly, tested their family bonds, and gained them the first Book. In this second title (2012, both Knopf), the children are back and older sister, Kate, is hurled backwards through time to the day when the magic and the mundane worlds separated. Her new friend is not all that he seems. In the meantime, Michael and Emma go to the South Pole and discover a strange world hidden underground. Michael rescues a princess, discovers that elves can be annoying but make useful allies, faces a dragon, and finds himself the master of the Book of Life. This enables him to perform acts of amazing mercy and magic, but at a tremendous personal cost. There is great joy, and great loss. The fantastic Jim Dale narrates the story with élan, creating not only unique voices but complete personalities for each character. He keeps things moving along at a brisk pace, immersing listeners in the narrative and bringing it all to life. Fans are sure to enjoy this fabulous production.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

]]> http://www.slj.com/2013/01/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-the-fire-chronicle-the-books-of-beginning-bk-2-audiobook/feed/ 0 http://www.slj.com/2012/10/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-the-fire-chronicle/ http://www.slj.com/2012/10/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-the-fire-chronicle/#comments Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:16:18 +0000 SLJ http://www.slj.com/?p=17800 STEPHENS, John. The Fire Chronicle. Bk. 2. 436p. (The Books of Beginning Series). Knopf. Oct. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86871-9; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96871-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89956-0. Gr 4-7–Fifteen-year-old Kate, almost 13-year-old Michael, and 12-year-old Emma don’t know why Dr. Pym sent them back to the dreadful orphanage at the end of The Emerald Atlas (Knopf, 2011), but Kate, who learned to control the power of the Atlas to travel through time, knows they need to leave as soon as [...]]]> STEPHENS, John. The Fire Chronicle. Bk. 2. 436p. (The Books of Beginning Series). Knopf. Oct. 2012. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-0-375-86871-9; PLB $20.99. ISBN 978-0-375-96871-6; ebook $10.99. ISBN 978-0-375-89956-0.
Gr 4-7–Fifteen-year-old Kate, almost 13-year-old Michael, and 12-year-old Emma don’t know why Dr. Pym sent them back to the dreadful orphanage at the end of The Emerald Atlas (Knopf, 2011), but Kate, who learned to control the power of the Atlas to travel through time, knows they need to leave as soon as possible. In the first chapter of Chronicle, a monstrous Screecher attacks, and Kate lures it into the past at the exact moment Dr. Pym appears to retrieve Michael and Emma. While Kate deals with the Dickensian world of 1899 New York on the eve of Separation, when the magical and mundane worlds will split for good, Michael, Emma, and Pym search for information about the other two books in a variety of unlikely places. This is a roller-coaster ride of a story, which includes old friends and new, a visit to Antarctica, the rescue of an Elf Princess (who is sometimes a dragon), a touch of doomed romance, a generous leavening of humor, life, death, betrayal, and (just a warning) a nasty little cliff-hanger of an ending. It is really Michael’s story–he deals with unimaginable challenges with humor, courage, and insight. Knowledge of the first book is suggested; readers who start with this one will definitely want to backtrack. Fans of the first book won’t be disappointed, and will eagerly anticipate the next one. The Emerald Atlas was very good. This one is even better.–Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

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