Siblings 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 through time to dangerous and secret corners of the world . . . a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And—if an ancient prophesy is true—what they do can change history, and it's up to them to set things right.
"A new Narnia for the tween set."—The New York Times
"[A] fast-paced, fully imagined fantasy."—Publishers Weekly
"Echoes of other popular fantasy series, from "Harry Potter" to the "Narnia" books, are easily found, but debut author Stephens has created a new and appealing read . . ."—School Library Journal, Starred Review
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Creators
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Series
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Publisher
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Release date
April 5, 2011 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780307879790
- File size: 335433 KB
- Duration: 11:38:49
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- Lexile® Measure: 720
- Text Difficulty: 3
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Reviews
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Publisher's Weekly
January 17, 2011
This promising first volume in debut author Stephens's Books of Beginning trilogy concerns siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma, who, when very young, were taken from their parents to protect them from unspecified forces of darkness. They have since spent 10 years in a series of unpleasant orphanages; the last of these—which, oddly enough, houses no children but themselves—is run by the eccentric Dr. Pym. While exploring their palatial yet decrepit new home tucked away in the Adirondacks, the children discover a magical green book, which transports them into the recent past. There they do battle with a beautiful witch who has terrorized and enslaved the local people in her unsuccessful search for the very book the children possess. Adventures follow, featuring murderous zombielike Screechers, time travel paradoxes, and multiple revelations about Dr. Pym. If Stephens's characterizations sometimes dip into cliché (grumpy, Scottish-ish dwarves; noble/heroic natives; an effete evil assistant), few will mind. This fast-paced, fully imagined fantasy is by turns frightening and funny, and the siblings are well-crafted and empathetic heroes. Highly enjoyable, it should find many readers. Ages 8–12. -
AudioFile Magazine
Siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma have survived a string of increasingly miserable orphanages since being mysteriously whisked from their parents' home 10 years ago. Now, alone in a strange home for unwanted children, they stumble upon a magical book and embark on a perplexing time-travel adventure. Jim Dale's splendid narration provides extra vibrancy to this exhilarating new fantasy series. Dale's portrayal of the evil witch is spine-tingling, but the listener is reassured by the avuncular wizard who provides advice to the children as they seek to undermine the witch. They encounter spunky dwarves and terrifying monsters, brought to life by Dale's inspired reading, as they eventually discover that their love for each other, not magic, is the key to their survival. N.M.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
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Formats
- OverDrive Listen audiobook
subjects
Languages
- English
Levels
- Lexile® Measure:720
- Text Difficulty:3
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