Attack at the Arena

Adventures in Odyssey continues their series with The Imagination Station series. Attack in the Arena is the second book chronicling the adventures of the time-traveling cousins Beth and Patrick, recruited by Mr. Whittaker to travel through time on various quests so that he can save his ancestor, Albert. Aided occasionally by a mysterious knight from England who travels through the Imagination Station, the cousins find themselves on an adventure to ancient Rome this time.

They landed in the very last gladitorial game seeking a silver cup that will somehow help Albert (we are not told how). Beth is hauled off by a soldier, believed to be a bird slave to the young Emperor Honorius because of the bird seeds in her bag. We learn that his people believe that the young emperor cares more for his birds than his people. He seems to tolerate the games, although he doesn't necessarily believe in them.

Patrick is taken in by a kind monk, Telemachus. They help a "barbarian" to run away although he is recaptured. They end up in Rome and Patrick is taken away to the arena. Beth is trying to find the Emperor's humanity - he's become extremely distant and cold from his people - while learning she now hates birds. Telemachus confronts the Emperor about the dreadful gladiator games, willing to sacrifice himself to make the Emperor understand the horror of the games.

Meanwhile the cousins seek the silver cup...

The book is easy to read with simple sentences and grammer and an interesting plot, just right for younger children. I really liked it (I like anything about ancient Rome, though). It talked about ancient Rome that was closer to the end of it. I definitely want more of the books about Beth and Patrick!

Definitely a 10 on a 10 point scale.

Point of No Return

"Point of No Return" by Paul McCusker follows ten-year-old Jimmy Barclay, whose friend Tony gets him to do bad things all the time - including smoking a cigar and lighting a fire in the garage, while never managing to do anything himself. His parents are angry about it. Jimmy finally decides to act better, but around that time he faces the decision of his life, when doing the right thing could cost him everything.

"Point of No Return" is in the Adventures in Odyssey series of books, which presents the beginnings of later episodes, including the Imagination Station. The book has moral plots and lessons and children and their behavior, and is good for the younger age group.

This was definitely one of my favorite Adventures in Odyssey.

Danger Lies Ahead

Part of the Adventures in Odyssey series that, instead of following Mark Prescott, revolves around Jack Davis, a friend he knows.

Jack's friend Lucy tells him a convict could be coming to their town, at the same time that he discovers the school bully is repeating sixth grade - his grade.

There the title of the book, Danger Lies Ahead, comes into play. If the school bully repeats sixth grade, Jack has no chance. If the convict comes, then he brings violence and danger along with him.

A book dealing with fear, abandonment, guilt, friends, criminals, and family, children will get a lot of reading this invigorating novel. The entire series is a must-read.

Strange Journey Back

The first book in the Adventures in Odyssey by Paul McCusker, Strange Journey Back follows Mark, who just moved to town with his mom. His only friend is a girl named Patti, which bothers him. He's also dealing with the guilt and the aftermath of his father walking out on him, thinking it was his fault.

Patti introduces him to Whit's End and the Imagination Station, which he wants to use to go back in time to understand exactly why his father left them.

A book that touches on guilt, family, fathers, mothers, the imagination, and friendship in a manner appropriate for younger readers, these are a must-read for younger readers and a new series for this generation to enjoy while learning valuable lessons.

The Great Mogul Diamond: Who's the Thief?

The third book in the Doppleganger Chronicles is the best. The infamous British twins are traveling to France with Muzz Elliot, a bestselling writer. Erik is learning to be a detective, thanks to American Dorcas Potts, who's uncle was being robbed in the second book.

There's a murder on the train the twins are traveling on, and there's a mysterious man following the twins and Muzz, who goes to France on what the twins suspect is blackmail.

And the Great Mogul Diamond disappears. The Diamond is extraordinarily valuable. In addition, the book is playing out like one of Muzz Elliot's novels, making her look more suspicious than ever.


And of course they want to find their mother. They know she used to be an actress, and they hope being in France will lead them to her. As for me, I hope they won't find their mother. After all, she abandoned them, and if they find her, she'll probably still not want them, and she'll just hurt them again.

This series is fascinating, although the details can be vague. The three main characters have various adventures that somehow always relate one to the other. Their lives are changing for the better and it's a great novel. Sometimes the time period of the book is difficult to grasp, but mostly, a creative book that has a good moral backbone and that teenagers can read.

I really enjoyed reading this book.

It deserves a 10.

The Secret of Indigo Moon

The second book in the fantastic Dopple-Ganger Chronicles re-meets the clever Dopple twins, Sadie and Saskia. Muzz Elliott decided to send the twins back to Isambard Dunstan's School for Wayward Children. The twins and Erik stumble into a mystery. The antagonist is that awful magician from the first novel stealing treasures from a neighbor through a series of underground tunnels. And we also learn that the beloved Miss Olivia was - or should I say is as she is still alive - no angel...

Dorcas Potts also comes into the picture as a detective whose uncle is being robbed. He is the neighbor next to Isambard's.

The graphics aspect part of the novel is fascinating. I wasn't a fan of graphic novels until I read this one, which is cleverly pieced together and tells the story of the Dopples and Erik well.

The book and the experiences the sisters and Erik make the reader think. Muzz seems to want to be a part-time mother, which is hard on children but something that a lot of mothers seem to want to be lately in society. It also brings up personal responsibility and decision-making.

Taylor raises important issues, such as abandonment, guilt, revenge, the moral ethics of certain experiments, loneliness and adoption. It also brings in family issues and themes.

All in all, a must read.

Is the Jesus We Think We Know the Real Jesus or our "Imaginary Jesus"?

Who is the real Jesus? Matt Mikalatos answers that very question in his novel My Imaginary Jesus.

Matt, the main character, has coffee with a man claiming to be Jesus but suddenly the Apostle Peter shows up and tells him he's wrong, and a lot of people pretend to be Jesus.

Matt and Peter decide to go on a chase for the real Jesus, the powerful Son of God as revealed in the Word. Matt realizes that the Jesus he's been picturing and following are not the real Jesus, but the Jesus he wants. As he searches for the real Jesus, he finally understands.

This book was hilarious. I couldn't stop laughing. It was clever, well-written and amazing. The truth in it made me think, Is this how I view Jesus sometimes? This definitely isn't the right way to view Jesus. I know that readers will find something amazing in this book and definitely get something out of it. Even if you think you won't like it, trust me, you will.

Promise Me This

I got this book for free as a promo for my Mac's Kindle, since I don't have an e-reader yet. I read it online and actually I liked it.

This is a story about Annie and Michael. Then fourteen-year-old Annie's brother Owen leaves his aunt's estate in England to travel to America against his aunt's wishes. He meets fifteen-year-old Michael Dunnigan, an abused and mistreated Irish boy who sneaks on board the ill-fated ship Titanic  to escape his cruel uncle, who sold him to an equally cruel man in exchange for the uncle's ticket on the ship. On the voyage, Owen dies but Michael lives, and he promises to take care of Annie and Owen's other relatives. The two exchange letters until WWI, when Annie's letters stop and Michael, to keep his promise, decides to find her.

A sweet and touching book, packed with truths. It deals with orphans, the war, guilt, promises, and keeping those promises. A book released right around the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, a disaster that made history and led to important changes and increased safety, and also a book that touches on the Great War and those affected by it.

The First Escape in The Doppleganger Chronicles by G.P. Taylor

At first I was annoyed by the alternating text and graphics of the novel, but then I liked it. I realized I actually liked it and could see how it was a different and fun way of reading. 

 

Saskia and Sadie are identical in every way, except for their eyes, one has a blue left eye and a right yellow eye, and the other has a blue right eye and a left yellow eye. They were left by their mother, an actress, at Isambard Dunstan's School for Wayward Children, which has Erik and girls. The School is terrible, but the twins are in charge. When a wealthy reclusive writer wants to adopt Saskia, Sadie and Saskia are separated. Saskia finds a mystery living with her adopted mother. Sadie knows that Saskia's in danger and enlists Erik's help to find her. Saskia also meets a woman who gives her advice and teaches her to eat peas with a fork, who she believes is an angel and who tries to guide her to the Companion. She also finds out that her adoptive mother also met the angel once and that the angel helped Mudd Elliot as well.

It deals with abandonment by their mother, and their belief that she would return for them. It deals with Erik, abandoned by his father and his belief that he's much better off without his father, because he doesn't have to steal anymore and feel guilty all the time. It also deals with adoption and the effects on children of being separated from their siblings. The girls are definitely unique themselves. This book definitely seems creative and imaginative and would be good for children, teenagers, and older people who feel young!

Forsaking All Others

Would you want to share your husband with another woman - especially one who becomes his wife as well?

Forsaking All Others by Allison Pittman follows the theme of the topic of the faiths of other religions, such as the Mormons and the Amish. This book focuses on Mormonism, which has gained considerable attention following the TV show Sister Wives, and centers on Camilla Fox, who disagrees with her family's faith and leaves them. On her journey, she has a terrible accident and loses her memory. She meets Colonel Charles Brandon. She regains her memory slowly, remembering the children she left behind to flee the faith. Tragedy strikes, and she returns to her family to confront them and reconcile with her family.

This deals with maternal abandonment, including the question - what about when the mother does something for herself to save the family that leads to the abandonment - betrayal, love, true love, beliefs, the clash of different beliefs, and reconciliation.

A fascinating book by Pittman and a terrific plot, and another look at the Mormon faith through the women who find themselves married to a man who marries multiple wives, and he is no longer their own, but community property.

Praying you have Faith, Love, and Hope,

Rachel