The Last Mirror on the Left: Legendary Alston Boys, Book 2
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Last Mirror on the Left is a wacky science fiction adventure by Lamar Giles, in which two African American boy sleuths -- who are cousins -- attempt to solve a multi-dimensional mystery. This is thre second book in he series, following The Last Last Day-of Summer. The boys' grandma is once again a powerful force in the story. The violence is cartoonish: some punching and throwing people through magic mirrors. There's a hint that the boys may have crushes on twin sisters.
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What's the Story?
As THE LAST MIRROR ON THE LEFT opens, teen cousins Otto and Sheed are the only people who remember meeting their future selves. The knowledge that Sheed might get sick and die almost paralyzes Sheed. The arrival of Missus Nedraw of the Rorrim Mirror Emporium serves as a distraction, especially because she remembers that the boys took one of her mirrors without permission, a crime punishable by a million years in jail. When one of her worst prisoners escapes, only the Logan Boys are equipped to bring the fugitives to justice.
Is It Any Good?
Even the most absurd situation benefits from some grounding in reality, and this zany adventure demonstrates the benefits of close family connections. In The Last Mirror on the Left, Otto and Sheed face the possibility of dying, and their reaction to their mortality is both touching and funny. Author Lamar Giles keeps the plot moving at a breakneck pace, with quirky dialogue and unforeseeable twists. This series is a winner, perfect for middle-grade boys who want some surefire hilarity, and many will eagerly snap up the concluding volume.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Last Mirror on the Left uses the "many worlds" theory to explain the multi-dimensional mirrors. What's fun about reading science fiction?
Otto knows that Sheed might die when they return home, but he won't tell him. Should friends keep secrets from each other?
Why are Sheed and Otto so close? Is it unusual for family members to hang out together? Why should kids look up to their grandparents?
Book Details
- Author: Lamar Giles
- Illustrator: Dapo Adeola
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Versify
- Publication date: October 20, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 272
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: January 7, 2022
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