Soon, Jack learns the startling truth about himself: He is Weirlind; part of an underground society of magical people who live among us. At the head of this magical society sit the feuding houses of the Red Rose and the White Rose, whose power is determined by playing The Game—a magical tournament in which each house sponsors a warrior to fight to the death. The winning house rules the Weir.
As if his bizarre magical heritage isn’t enough, Jack finds out that he’s not just another member of Weirlind—he’s one of the last of the warriors—at a time when both houses are scouting for a player.
**********
This is one of my all time favorite books to share with kids who have read all of the Percy Jacksons, The Pendragons and Ranger Apprentice's. My book talk goes something like this:
Jack is an ordinary boy who has to take his medicine every day because if he doesn't he'll get really sick. Sicker and weaker than he usually is. Well. One day he doesn't take his meds and whoa--not the result you'd think. He's fast, he's strong--killer strength in fact. He finds out his medicine isn't for making him strong it's for keeping him weak--and hidden because he's one of the last Weirland Warriors...
Usually I don't get much further than that--it's grabbed from my hand and off it goes, sometimes with the next two in the series. And if the reader doesn't take the next two they are back in soon enough. And the best part is, I've given this to many a parent or grandparent of reluctant readers-they come back wanting more, sometimes with the boy or girl because they _loved_ it and want more. And once they've read all three they still come back because now you've got their trust that maybe, just maybe you can help them find similar books they might like.
Learn more about the Cinda Williams Chima and the entire series (which you will want to read!) on her website. AND-I just read that she has been contracted to write two more for this series!
Jack is an ordinary boy who has to take his medicine every day because if he doesn't he'll get really sick. Sicker and weaker than he usually is. Well. One day he doesn't take his meds and whoa--not the result you'd think. He's fast, he's strong--killer strength in fact. He finds out his medicine isn't for making him strong it's for keeping him weak--and hidden because he's one of the last Weirland Warriors...
Usually I don't get much further than that--it's grabbed from my hand and off it goes, sometimes with the next two in the series. And if the reader doesn't take the next two they are back in soon enough. And the best part is, I've given this to many a parent or grandparent of reluctant readers-they come back wanting more, sometimes with the boy or girl because they _loved_ it and want more. And once they've read all three they still come back because now you've got their trust that maybe, just maybe you can help them find similar books they might like.
Learn more about the Cinda Williams Chima and the entire series (which you will want to read!) on her website. AND-I just read that she has been contracted to write two more for this series!
Happy MMGM, all. And don't forget to check out more posts, including the one who started it all, Shannon Whitney Messenger!
Joanne Fritz-My Brain on Books
Shannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Shannon Whitney Messenger-Ramblings of a Wannabe Scribe
Shannon O'Donnell-Book Dreaming
Myrna Foster-The Night Writer
Sherrie Petersen- Write About Now
Natalie Aguirre-Literary Rambles
Brooke Favero-Somewhere in the Middle
Ally Beecher- Kid Lit Frenzy
Barbara Watson-Novel and Nouveau
Anita Laydon Miller-her middle grade blog
Michael G-G-Middle Grade Mafioso
Jessica Lei-her blog
Pam Torres-So I'm Fifty
Oooo! My son loves both Percy Jackson (and both of the new series too) and Ranger's Apprentice series are among his favorite books ever, so this would be something for him. Thanks for the word on it!
ReplyDeleteI've got these in my (ridiculously huge) TBR pile - maybe I should move them up!
ReplyDeleteMy son is just finishing off the Percy Jacksons--perhaps this should be next on his list?
ReplyDeleteYou know, I liked this book, but I think her Seven Realms series is much better. Although that series seems aimed at a slightly older audience - it's more complex / richer.
ReplyDelete