AVERY’S PICK
“MAGNUS CHASE AND THE SWORD OF SUMMER”
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
GENRE: Young Adult Fantasy
AGES: 11+
RATING: 5 starts
SYNOPSIS: Magnus Chase has seen his share of trouble. Ever since that terrible night two years ago when his mother told him to run, he has lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, staying one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.
One day, Magnus learns that someone else is trying to track him down—his uncle Randolph, a man his mother had always warned him about. When Magnus tries to outmaneuver his uncle, he falls right into his clutches. Randolph starts rambling about Norse history and Magnus’s birthright: a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.
The more Randolph talks, the more puzzle pieces fall into place. Stories about the gods of Asgard, wolves, and doomsday bubble up from Magnus’s memory. But he doesn’t have time to consider it all before a fire giant attacks the city, forcing him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents…Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die.
MY FAVORITE QUOTE FROM THIS BOOK IS: “Myths are simply stories about truths we’ve forgotten.”
MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS BOOK IS: The humor with which Riordan writes! Magnus jumped off the page, a true depiction of a silly young boy navigating newly uncertain circumstances with the best intentions.
MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK ARE: Alex and Magnus! Their friendship was endlessly entertaining to read about and was a main force in driving the book forward.
FANS OF THIS BOOK MAY ALSO LIKE:
“The Throne of Fire” by Rick Riordan, “The Storm Runner” by J.C. Cervantes, “Keeper of the Lost Cities” by Shannon Messenger
Farewell, Avery! After three years of sharing her love of books with us at Epic Kids, she’s off to new adventures at Wellesley College in the fall. Her passion and insight have inspired countless young readers. We can’t wait to see the great things she’ll achieve!
MANU’S SELECTIONS
“THE BAREFOOT KING”
AUTHOR: Andrew Jordan Nance
GENRE: Fiction
AGES: 4 – 8
SYNOPSIS: This book is about a king who is easily distracted. One day he stubs his toe because he is not paying attention. As a result, he decides to cover his entire kingdom in leather. As a result, his people get mad at him, and he learns a valuable lesson.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK: I like that this story teaches us that when you start to pay attention then everything can make sense. We can always find creative solutions if something is difficult.
“THE SECRET OF THE SNOW”
AUTHOR: Thea Stilton
GENRE: Fiction
AGES: 7 – 10
SYNOPSIS: This book is about seven mice who go on an adventure. Something is wrong with the land of the lotus flowers. Can the mice save it before it is too late?
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK: I like that this book is adventurous and that they meet many different creatures along the way. They all help each other and use teamwork to save the day.
“ASHOKA THE FIERCE: HOW AN ANGRY PRINCE BECAME INDIA’S EMPEROR OF PEACE”
AUTHOR: Carolyn Kanjuro
GENRE: Non-fiction
AGES: 4 – 8
SYNOPSIS: This is the story of how Ashoka the Fierce became known as Ashoka the Great. He used to get angry easily but now if very calm.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK: I like that when Ashoka does the Buddha teachings, he slowly becomes increasingly calm. Ashoka’s inspiring transformation shows us that we are all capable of overcoming our strongest emotions and make the world a better place.
STANDARD BIO & PHOTO FOR MANU
