 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Emerald Atlas (The Books of Beginning)
- By John Stephens
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Thrilling, chilling time travel for mid-grade fantasy fans.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know this fantasy novel is the first of a planned series of three. It does have a great deal of fantasy violence, and the three protagonists are endangered by various monsters and other nasty, evil characters, including a powerful witchy countess. There is some gore and graphic depictions, though after a few close battles, good triumphs over evil. Younger readers may find the book a bit too intense, and be confused by the time-travelling sequences. Kids who can handle it will find a lot to like in the three protagonists, loyal siblings who grapple with important questions of loyalty, honesty, hard choices, and, of course, good and evil.
What's the story?
Swept away to an orphanage at an early age, three siblings -- Kate, Michael, and Emma -- move from one dismal institution to next, each one worse than the one before. Kate, the eldest, remembers promising her mother to protect the younger two: misfit Michael, a bookworm fascinated by magic, photography, and dwarfs, and feisty Emma, who lacks patience for anyone. When they discover the Emerald Atlas, one of three magical books, they begin to time travel, searching for their parents in a fantastical world that involves wizardry, a wicked countess with magical powers, dwarfs, monsters, and just about anything else you can imagine. Together, they begin to learn why they were put in such distasteful and dangerous institutions in the first place -- and have an adventure that forces them to grow up, depend on each other, and make choices that change history.
Is it any good?
Kids ready to delve into time-travelling fantasy will love this fun, fast-paced book. Intriguing and suspenseful, the story is packed with strong characters, sophisticated language, and adventures that force the heroes to grapple with questions of loyalty, honesty, hard choices and, of course, good and evil. Here, author John Stephens uses some familiar fantasy elements -- innocent orphans, an evil witch, a struggle over three valuable books of wisdom -- to pull together a creative story that will have kids breathlessly waiting for the next installment. Younger readers may be confused by the time-travelling sequences, and the violence may be a little too much for them, but for kids who are mature enough, this is a thrilling ride.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about fantasy books. Why are series like this one so popular right now? What does this book have in common with other fantasy novels you've read? How is it different?
What did you think about the cruelty and violence of the evil characters in this book? Or the ferocious battles? Does the fantasy setting make the violence any less intense to read about?
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AGE
Pretty Good
My nephew bought the book and gave it to me to read after he was finished. I found it interesting and fun. A little different from other young adult novels I've read, but with all the familiar themes: missing parents, evil-doers who look good, elderly wise wizards. But a new twist with time travel and its repercussions. Looking forward to the other books in the series.
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AGE
100% Clichè
I really didn't enjoy this book. The plot is ridiculously overused and simply boring. I had such a horrible time getting through this book, but then again maybe that's because I'm 14. I expected more than the typical orphans fight against evil witch plot, but that's what this is. The dwarf king is gross and loves to drink and eat like a pig, but Kate is a good leader and protector for her siblings. Probably a good read for younger kids, older kids will get bored easily. It's rather predictable, but I think it would be a good chapter a night bedtime story for younger kids.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | John Stephens |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Knopf |
| Publication date: | April 5, 2011 |
| Number of pages: | 417 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 11 |
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