The Sisters Grimm

CATEGORY: Fantasy
TYPE: Novel

I have been captivated by this series since I read book 1!

This series of books centers around two sisters: Sabrina and Daphne Grimm. After their parents mysteriously disappear in book 1, their world is suddenly turned upside-down. When their grandmother (whom they have never even heard of) arrives to take them to live with her, the girls learn several strange things about their family:

1. They are related to the famous Brothers Grimm, who collected the fairy tales we know and love.
   
   
2. The fairy tales that they always thought were "stories" are actually the real histories of magical creatures and beings.
   
   
3. Those magical creatures and beings happen to live in the same town, act as real people, and most are quite unfriendly to the Grimm family.

Each book is filled with mystery, magic, and adventure as the girls try to find their parents and learn more about their family's history.

Because each story builds upon the previous book, readers should definitely start with book 1 and read them in order.

ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
http://www.sistersgrimm.com/newsite/index.html

KEYWORDS: fairy tales, magic, family, grandparents, siblings

Fablehaven

Are you a fan of fantasy? Magic? Stories with good vs. evil? Then get to know the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. In Fablehaven, a whole new world awaits you!

Book 1: Fablehaven
by Brandon Mull

CATEGORY: Fantasy
TYPE: Novel

Kendra and Seth spend the summer with their grandparents (caretakers of a preserve called Fablehaven) and soon discover that Fablehaven is not what it seems. The creatures dwelling in this preserve are creatures of light and dark (fairies, satyrs, witches, etc.) and it is the laws of magic that keep the magical world and the human world of Fablehaven in balance. When these laws are broken, the resulting consequences could very well destroy the structure on which Fablehaven is founded. It's up to Kendra and Seth to discover how they can make things right to return balance to Fablehaven and save their family.

ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Fablehaven website = http://www.fablehaven.com/
Author blog = http://www.brandonmull.com/blog/

KEYWORDS: magic, family, rules, grandparents, siblings


OTHER FABLEHAVEN BOOKS:

Book 2: Rise of the Evening Star

Book 3: Grip of the Shadow Plague

and coming in April 2009... Book 4: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

Love the Library!

Many things are celebrated in the month of February, but one celebration that is really close to my heart this month is the focus to "Love the Library." So, here are a couple of library-related Royal Reads to check out:

The Legend of Spud Murphy
by Eoin Colfer

CATEGORY: Realistic Fiction
TYPE: Novel

Will and Marty are carted off to spend the summer in the library - home of Spud Murphy, the legendary librarian who uses a spud gun on misbehaving children. But as Will and Marty soon discover, books aren't as bad as they had originally thought (and neither is Spud Murphy)!

ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Eoin (pronounced "Owen") Colfer shares his thoughts on this Royal Read:
http://www.meettheauthor.com/bookbites/222.html

Author website

http://www.eoincolfer.com/about/

KEYWORDS: library, reading, brothers, summer, legends

The Library Dragon
by Carmen Agra Deedy

CATEGORY: Fantasy
TYPE: Picture Book

Miss Lotta Scales, a fire-breathing, smoke-blowing dragon, believes it is her job to protect the school's library books from the children and their grubby hands. Things change when a young student, Molly Brickmeyer, helps her realize that books are meant to be read, turning Miss Lotta Scales from overprotective library dragon into Miss Lotty, friendly librarian and storyteller.

ONLINE CONNECTIONS
Listen and read along
http://www.booksprogram.com/readalong/library_dragon.htm

Author website:
http://www.carmendeedy.com/news.html

KEYWORDS: librarian, reading, school, dragons

Royal Reads = Fantasy

Q: What are "Royal Reads?"
A: Books that I have read and recommend to you! Enjoy!

Today's 1st Royal Read:

The Phantom Isles by Stephen Alter

When Courtney, Ming, and Orion break into the library late one night to sneak a closer peek at a book that is supposed to conjure the dead when certain passages are read, they find themselves in the middle of a ghostly adventure that began long ago. At first glance it appears that their recitations from The Compleat Necromancer are ineffective. However, when Alma Parker, local librarian opens the doors of the library the next day, she knows right away that things are not right.

The three friends soon realize that the passages they read aloud did indeed work and they can clearly see several ghostly spirits trapped within the pages of many library books once owned by Professor Hezekiah T. Osgood. With Alma's help (along with some ghostly intervention), the three friends work to release the ghosts who were trapped by the experiments of Professor Osgood many years ago. However, the race to free the spirits hits a frenzied pace as members of the community began to suspect that something is not right in the library.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy mystery and suspense with a ghostly connection. As this story is told in alternating viewpoints and contains footnotes explaining elements of the story, it is most suitable for intermediate readers and older.

KEYWORDS: ghosts, library, friends, mystery


Today's 2nd Royal Read:

Punished by David Lubar

"Just when you thought it was safe to go to the library..."

When Logan and Benedict head to the library to get a head start on the reports they have been assigned, Logan finds himself in trouble when his horseplay causes him to run into a gentleman using the reference section of the library. The gentleman decides Logan must be punished for his rude behavior and Logan soon finds himself sneezing through a thick cloud of dust. When the dust settles, Logan finds himself unable to speak using anything except puns, a different kind of "punishment" then he has ever experienced!

After a day of speaking strictly in puns and unable to bear his punishment, Logan tracks down the gentleman and learns that what he must do to lift his punishment. Determined to succeed, Logan sets off to work. With his best friend Benedict irritated at him, and his family tired of his "punny" talk, Logan is on his own. However, the task is difficult and Logan soon finds himself running out of time.

A fun read filled with lots of "punny" situations, this book can be enjoyed by readers who enjoy and understand word play and literary elements.

KEYWORDS: library, puns, school