Monday, March 19, 2012

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday - Crater Lake


Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

Shannon Whitney Messenger decided it was time to give middle grade stories the attention they deserve, and "Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays" was born.  

Crater Lake: 
Battle for Wizard island
by Steve Westover


Crater Lake

Goodreads Blurb:
While visiting his crazy Uncle Bart at Crater Lake National Park, thirteen-year-old Ethan's world collapses when all the adults at Crater Lake disappear, including his parents. Now Ethan must rally his new friends and decipher the legends of Crater Lake to find the key to rescuing his parents from their earthen prison before he's captured too and their captivity becomes permanent.

I realized a long time ago that I usually enjoy MG titles from Cedar Fort Publishing. I only review books I like well enough to recommend, and last year from Cedar Fort I reviewed multiple strong MG stories including: Guardians of the Hidden Scepter, The Last Archangel, Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure, Skipping Stones at the center of the Earth, and more recently, Time Gangsters.

Crater Lake is another story I can gladly add to that list. I love the setting of this story. The kids (from different groups at first) are originally visiting Crater Lake National Park, some with parents and some with a scout troop. When things go big-time crazy, it's up to the kids to save their parents and return things to normal. They do that with a combination of courage, magic, friendship, and teamwork. The combination of wilderness adventure, Native American folklore, and local legend make this a very fun read.




** Others who can be counted on for MMGM: **
And today Sheri Larsen is highlighting BEYONDERS at Writer's Alley. Be sure to stop by!

 Happy Monday!
 

20 comments:

Susan R. Mills said...

Another one for my son! I love your reviews because he's such a picky reader and I've found several books for him from reading your blog. Thanks!

Catherine Denton said...

I love when books are connected to a local legend; it seems to make the story more believable for me somehow.
Catherine Denton

Karen Harrington said...

This does sound good. I'm reading more MG these days and enjoy your Monday recommendations.

Carolyn V said...

Love it! You have the best reviews. Can't wait to try this one out. ;)

cleemckenzie said...

I've always been a fan of middle grade fantasy--my kids love them, too. I finally wrote one and it's coming out this year. Loved reading your list. Thanks. I'll add them to my TBR.

Anonymous said...

I love the sound of this one and will be sure to check out those other titles.
Thanks, Shannon. Happy MMGM!

Jen said...

Another good one! I swear, with all these good books sitting on my TBR list, I'll never die! I can't! I have to read them all :D

This one just sounds great by the title!

Happy Monday,
Jen

Barbara Watson said...

This sounds like a thrilling adventure! Thank you for featuring it; I hadn't heard of it.

Anonymous said...

agreed about the local legend making it somehow more vivid and real. there's something so magical about bringing them to life :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

This sounds cool. Thanks for sharing another one I'd never heard of.

Old Kitty said...

It sounds like a really amazing adventure story! Yay! Take care
x

Tales of Whimsy said...

Ooooooooooo sounds gooooood!

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss shannon! wow! everything about this book sounds like something i could wanna read. for sure it going on my list.
...hugs from lenny

Joanne R. Fritz said...

I've never heard of this one either. Love your review. Sounds exciting.

Meredith said...

I'm sold on Native American folklore! Sounds like so much fun!

Kelly Polark said...

That sounds like a fun, suspenseful adventure!

Golden Eagle said...

It sounds like a great book!

Jemi Fraser said...

Love stories like this where the kids have the ability to change things for the better! :)

Laurisa White Reyes said...

Sounds like a great read!

DMS said...

I love MG books and this one sounds fascinating. I love the setting of Crater Lake and your review makes me want to get it soon. Thanks for sharing!

~Jess

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