Title: The Emerald Atlas (Books of Beginning #1)
Author: John Stephens
Publisher: Knopf
Date of Release: April 5th, 2011
Number of Pages: 432
Level: Middle Grade
Summary From Goodreads:
Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage.
Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about.
Until now.
Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey to dangerous and secret corners of the world...a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And—if an ancient prophesy is correct—what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right.
The Emerald Atlas brims with humor and action as it charts Kate, Michael, and Emma's extraordinary adventures through an unforgettable, enchanted world.
Review: Well I have not read a Middle Grade book since elementary school, so I was not sure what to expect. This novel was amazing.
I laughed multiple times at the 3 kids bickering. It was so like regular kids would fight it was comical. The age range was lovely, this book covers so many different ages since the children’s ages were not the same. I liked this for I could relate to Kate the oldest the most, but also Emma and Michael, for I have been that age.
I was not expecting how dark this book was at times. I was kind of surprised to have a guy being cut in half described to me. I didn’t mind it though, it was just the age level it was for, I didn’t expect it to happen. I think John Stephens writing is brilliant for I can see a definite appeal to reluctant readers especially young boys even though it is mostly in a female perspective.
I can definitely see the similarities in ideas and epic plans to C.S. Lewis and Lemony Snicket. If you know what I mean then you probably realize how excited I was.
This book sounds awesome! Like you, I haven't picked up a middle grade book for many years, but it's good to hear that there are still fantastic ones out there!
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading this one last week and like you I really loved it! I definitely think The Emerald Atlas will appeal to the Harry Potter, Lemony Snicket & C.S. Lewis crowd but I also think it has lots of crossover adult appeal.
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