The Sea of Monsters

by Rick Riordan

Usually, if I'm doing a series, I'll start with the first book, but in this case, I've loaned the first one (Lightning Thief) to my Grandma, who has taken it home to read it. She lives far away. I'll review the first one when I get it back. It's easier when I've got the book with me.

Anyways, I've got the second book here, so I'm going to review that instead.

This book is about three adventurers named Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and Grover Underwood. They venture across the land to find the Golden Fleece, the only thing that can save camp Half-blood's magical borders from being overrun by monsters. On their way, they meet and evil sorceress and a full-grown Centaur who tries to blast them to bits! Will they get the fleece???? Read this fantastic story to find out!

I like these books so much because the stories are very unique. Instead of witches and wizards, they are based upon the legends of ancient greece.

It looks like they have a boxed set of the first three books over at Amazon.com. I'd recommend getting this, because after you read the first one, you're not going to want to stop!

Nightmare Academy / Monster Hunters

by Dean Lorey

This book is about a young boy who calls monsters in his sleep. One night, three very strange people come and take him away to a place called Nightmare Academy where he trains and learns to control his powers. There are two kinds of powers that people have. Nethermancers, who open portals, and Banishers, who fight the Nethercreatures/monsters. Oh I almost forgot. Some people can do both, such as Charlie. Charlie is also extremely powerful, and opens portals straight into the heart of Nether where evil is plotting to take over the world!

I would suggest this book any time. However, I think it is meant for kids 8 and up.

I realized after writing this review that the book is now available under a new title: Nightmare Academy : Monster Hunters. The sequel is called Nightmare Academy : Monster Madness. I haven't read that one yet, but I'd like to order it. I'll review the sequel if I ever get my hands on it. Here's a picture of the new cover:

***** IMPORTANT UPDATE !!!!! ******

Check out the comment that was left by the author - Dean Lorey!!!!!

Isn't that cool? I can't wait to show my teacher when I get back to school!!!

A few more things to add:

Here is Dean Lorey's Nighmare Academy Website.

And here's a cool video:

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

by Lewis Carroll

I usually select a cover that matches the book that I read, but I couldn't find one in this case. My copy was published in 1946. My grandma gave it to me.

Anyway, this is a unique story of a girl who finds herself falling down a rabbit hole. She discovers that not all places are logical as she deals with the strange people and animals she encounters on her journey in Wonderland.

Many strange things happen to her, like when she almost drowns in a pool of her own tears. She also discovers that when you eat in this strange land, you grow taller. And when you drink, you shrink! Alice is very confused, and she sets upon the frustrating task of finding her way home.

This is such a great book that my school is going to do a play about it. And guess what? I'm the Duchess!

Anyways, I would recommend this book to all that love a great tale.

My Dad and I just found something interesting. There's a website called Project Gutenburg that produces free electronic books. You can actually go to this page to get your free copy. It looks like a great way to read books without paying anything. Like the library!

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

by Robert C. O'Brien

Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. Her youngest child, Timothy is sick and cannot be move to their summer home without dying. If they don't find a way to get to their summer home, they will be plowed up by the farmer. Mrs. Frisby is faced with a terrible decision. She calls on a friend to take her to a wise owl who suggests the "Rats of NIMH".

The rats of NIMH are bigger and more secretive than all other rats. Nevertheless, Mrs. Frisby sets out on a breathtaking adventure, and finds out what happened to her beloved husband about a year before.

I really got wrapped up in this story. I was very concerned about the well being of Mrs. Frisby and her son, Timothy.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH was on a list of recommended books by my teacher. It's one of my favorites. I would definitely recommend this book to kids of all ages.

Here's a link to Amazon.com.

Nancy Drew - The Clue of the Leaning Chimney

by Carolyn Keene

In this tale, Nancy Drew solves several mysteries. She needs to find a thief who stole a rare vase from the Ming dynasty. It was stolen from the antique store owned by Dick Milton, the cousin of one of her friends.

The vase actually belonged to an elderly man named Mr. Soong. In order to repay Mr. Soong, Dick asks Nancy to find the valuable pottery clay, which is supposed to be hidden inside of a Leaning Chimney. Nancy must also uncover clues to solve the mysterious disappearance of Eng Moy, a pottery expert, and his daughter Lei.

In this adventure, Nancy uses her young mind to solve this baffling case. She runs into trouble when she meets up with a dangerous crook.

I've read many of the Nancy Drew books, and I thought that this one was pretty good. It kept me interested all the way through.

Readers 8 and up would enjoy these mysteries the most. The Clue of the Leaning Chimney is hard to find by itself, but you can buy it as part of a set of books. In my case, it was available at the local library.

Princess Academy

By Shannon Hale

I've been looking forward to reviewing this one!

This book is about a fourteen year old girl named Miri, who lives in a community on a mountain called Mount Eskel. Most of the people in this community work in a quarry, producing "linder" for the whole kingdom. To their amazement, they learn that the next princess will be selected from Mount Eskel. In the kingdom, people who live on the mountain are not considered to be as smart and sophisticated as "low-landers".

An academy is set up about 3 hour's walk from the village. Girls aged 12-16 are taken to the academy, in which they learn to behave like princesses. Eventually, the prince will come to personally pick one of the girls to actually become a princess.

Their tutor, Olana, is very strict. She lashes the girls' palms for uttering a word, and locks them in a closet with a rat. ewwwww.

There's more. During the winter they are captured by a horrible band of thieves, who want to kidnap the princess-to-be, for a ransom.

Miri is one of my personal favorite heroines from literature. She's clever and funny, and she never gives up. She shows people how to be a leader in their community, and how special it is to be from the mountain.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to girls who love a great story. Here's a link to amazon.com.