The Familiars

Authors: Adam Jay Epstien and Andrew Jacobson
Illustrators: Peter Chan and Kei Acedera
Narrator: Lincoln Hoppe
Publisher: New York: Harper, 2011
Series: The Familiars
Book number: 1/4

Audiobook Available : Playaway Digital Audio: Findaway World, LLC 2010 

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This fantasy fiction and animal fantasy series is set in a magical world filled with good and evil, wizards, child wizards and women rulers. Adventurous rescues abound as animal, human and wizards set out to save the land of Vastia in this action packed story.

A cat named Aldwwyn pretends he's magical to win his new owner Jack's affection. The other magical cats must be convinced too. Jack is in danger and the magical pets and Aldwyn the cat go on an adventure to same him and the other wizards. A secret is revealed in the end and destiny is at play in this story full of mystery.

Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson's work on this internationally bestselling series shows that they work well together in this genre bringing adventurous mysterious stories to children globally.


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adamjayepstein.com- Blurb About the Author
 

Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail

Author: Kate Messner
Illustrations: Kelley McMorris
Publisher: Scholastic press, New York, 2015
Series: Ranger in Time
Book number: 1/14

This early chapter book is an illustrated adventure with both animals and human characters. Ranger's time slip will keep readers turning the pages to find out what year he travels to and where he goes. Black and white detailed illustrations are throughout the chapters for readers to enjoy. A perfect fantasy fiction book for 9-12 year olds and ages adjacent.

Search and rescue dog Ranger is playful and curious. Ranger finds an object in the garden and slips through time. He ends up in the year 1850 and meets a boy named Sam Abbott. They go on a dangerous adventure together on the Oregon trail as they migrate west.
Ranger becomes a huge help as he navigates this adventure with his new friend.

Kate Messner is a fiction and non-fiction author. She specialises in books for chilren and young readers. She has been nominated for the E.B.White Read Aloud Aware, Golden Kit and Crystal Kite Awards and many more.  She also writes science themed books and frequently speaks at conferences and visits schools to speak about literature.

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KateMessner.com - Blurb About the Author

Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer

Author and Illustrator: Gillian Goerz
Publisher:
Dial Books for Young Readers, New York, 2020

 

Come along on the suspenseful summer adventures of Jamila and Shirley as this author's attention grabbing writing style pulls you in. This atmospheric comic mystery is chock full of action and various story lines. Bold, cartoony and colorful illustrations take the reader along on the most exciting summer adventure with this culturally diverse character duo.

When Jamila Waheed meets Shirley Bones in her new neighborhood, they form a bond and immediately learn the other is also being sent to camp this summer. They don't agree with their parents' ideas to send them to camp and both work to convince their parents to allow them to stay home and spend their summer together. They are successful in escaping camp and begin to meet at a local basketball court. Shirley and Jamila soon begin doing detective work together. The new friendship they create is tested bringing them closer together as their cases become challenging time and time again. One case in particular about a missing gecko comes into their case load. Will they be able to solve this case and keep their friendship?

Gillian Goerz' writing and illustrations in this mystery comic are ideal for the 9-12 reading group. Younger advanced readers can also enjoy this colorful comic/graphic novel. Well-developed characters keep the reader attentive as they guess the next turn the plot will take.

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