Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Guardians of the Hidden Scepter
by Frank L. Cole
Goodreads Blurb:
Amber never dreamed her archaeology class would turn into a top secret mission that would take her across the globe, but when her teacher goes missing, Amber realizes it's up to her to protect the Hidden Scepter or risk unleashing an ancient power too terrifying to imagine. This guaranteed page-turner from the bestselling author of the Hashbrown Winters series is perfect for the adventurer in your family.
I'll be honest; I read this book because James Dashner said we should, and you know I always do what James Dashner says. For some reason I don't love the cover, but you know what? It. Was. Great! I really enjoyed it. And you know what they say about judging books by covers . . .
This is a perfect MG story:
- young, brilliant, and brave characters
- non-stop, Indiana Jones-style storyline (which is doubly true since it's an archaeology adventure)
- biblical myths, hidden treasure, booby traps, scorpions, and faceless beasts
- kidnapping and world traveling
- and ALL things awesome!
It hooked me right away and held me riveted all the way through. I can see this as the perfect book for reluctant boy readers and adventure lovers of ALL reading levels. I am definitely adding it to my classroom library.
* This week Natalie Aguirre has an awesome interview with Nathan Bransford as her MMGM feature. Don't miss it.
*** Others who can be counted on for a great MMGM review each week: ***
- Joanne Fritz @ My Brain on Books
- Ben Langhinrchs @ My Comfy Chair
- Sherrie Petersen @ Write About Now
- Brooke Favero @ Somewhere in the Middle
- Myrna Foster @ Night Writer
- Ally Beecher @ Kid Lit Frenzy
- Barbara Watson @ Novel and Nouveau
- Deb Marshall @ Just Deb!
- Anita Laydon Miller's Middle Grade Blog
- Michael G-G @ Middle Grade Mafioso
Happy Monday!
19 comments:
thanks for another great MG suggestion! (I agree about James Dashner!)
It does sound good. And you're right about the cover. Sometimes we have to look past the cover and just read a bit!
I love stories like this!! The style sounds a lot like the MG I'm currently working on. You've made me excited to get busy writing it!! :)
Thanks Shannon. I think I'm going to really like this one. I'm adding it to my list.
This book slook slike something I would love (or something that I wish I'd written!!)
Kind of agree about the cover..
Shelley
Thanks, Shannon. I think the archeology premise is exciting. When I was in eighth grade, there was a book at the library I kept rejecting. Couldn't stand the cover. But, by summer's end, I was desperate and, so, read "The Purple Palimino." It turned out to be THE best book I read that summer (hency why I remember the name, I suppose.) I remember the librarian saying, "Never judge a book by its cover." Boy, did I ever learn a good lesson!
You know...I agree on the cover. Thank goodness on the insides! I will be sure to get it, read it...book talk it! Thanks, Shannon (and yes on the interview with Nathan, it was soooo good!)
Although my son isn't a reluctant reader, this sounds like something he would love! Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
ANY book that makes archaeology fun and frenetic gets A++++++++ from me!! Yay!!!! Thanks for the info to this book!! Take care
x
Can't believe I haven't heard of this. We don't carry it in the bookstore. Must be a small publisher (?). But you had me at "Indiana Jones-style storyline." Hidden treasure and booby traps are cool too. Sounds great!
And too bad about the cover, but you're right.
This sounds ace! Thanks for doing such a great job highlighting middle grade each and every week.
I have this on NetGalley. Now, I'm even more excited to start reading it.
This does sound awesome! Then again I love mystery and adventure, and one can't go wrong with Indiana Jones like adventure. ;)
Thanks for the review. You are always introducing us to great MG books!
Wow. Sounds great. You won me with bullet #3.
So many great MG posts today! I'm lovin' it. :)
The cover could be cooler. It sounds like an Indiana Jones book. Another one to add to the queue!
I know what you mean about listening to James Dashner. I listen to Neil Gaiman.
One of the boys in my class is pretty much obsessed with this book :)
These sound really good, and I'd never heard of them. Thanks so much!
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