Summer Knight (The Dresden Files, Book 4)

Book Description

Private detective/wizard-for-hire Harry Dresden is suckered into tangling in the affairs of Faerie, where the fate of the entire world-and his soul-are at stake.

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Private detective/wizard-for-hire Harry Dresden is suckered into tangling in the affairs of Faerie, where the fate of the entire world-and his soul-are at stake.

Customer Reviews:

One of my favorite Dresden novels.......2007-09-11

I don't know what it is about this one, but it's among my favorite of the Dresden novels. Maybe because I'm a Murph fan and she kicks demonic hiney in this one. It's also the first book where the happenings in the Nevernever are really shown to influence the real world.

Besides, come on!!! Climactic battle with faeries, a demon, and a ghoul assassin inside a Super-Walmart? What's not to love?

Also, the decisive final battle really shows Harry leaning on others for a change, far more team-work than he's been comfortable displaying in some of the previous novels.

I'll just conclude the review with this thought from Harry "I know something you don't... the phone number to the Pizza 'Spress!"

The Queens of Faery.......2007-08-31

Summer Knight (2000) is the fourth urban fantasy novel in the Dresden Files series, following Grave Peril. In the previous volume, Harry called upon the spirits buried below the Red Court mansion and they took down Bianca. Susan escaped from Bianca as the spirits attacked. Harry finally told Susan that he loves her.

The hospital was so crowded that Harry had to share a room with Charity Carpenter. Despite her ordeal, Charity had plenty of energy to chew out Harry for endangering her husband and her child. However, Michael decided to name the boy child after Harry. Susan sent flowers and called every day, but she stayed away from Harry; her Hunger was too intense to approach him.

In this novel, the White Council comes to Chicago and toads rain down in Lake Meadows Park. When Harry goes over to check the unusual weather, Billy the Werewolf is waiting for him. Billy chastises him for becoming a hermit and then saves his life from a ghoul.

Billy has checked the office before coming to the park. Harry has an eviction notice from the landlord of his office building and an appointment with a Ms. Sommerset at three o'clock. Harry drops Billy off at his apartment and leaves him in Georgia's capable hands. She is bandaging the wounds as Harry drives away.

Harry doesn't have time to go home and freshen up (although he really needs to do so). Instead, he drives to the office. As he enters the doorway, Harry readies his shield bracelet for action, but only finds his prospective client inside.

Ms. Sommerset is both stunningly beautiful and intimidating. Dresden pulls a .44-caliber revolver out of his desk drawer and commands Ms. Sommerset to put her hands flat on the desktop. Then he flicks an iron nail across the desktop toward her hands.

At the last minute, the Fairy jerks back her hand and hastily steps away from the desk. These actions impress her more than anything else Harry has said or done. Now she wants Harry to become her agent and soon informs him that she has acquired his debts from his godmother. Then she states her real name and title: Mab, Queen of Air and Darkness.

The Winter Queen wants Harry to discover who was behind the death of the Summer Knight and also to recover his missing powers. At that moment, the Summer Queen is assuming that Ronald Reuel was killed by Mab's catpaws. The Summer forces are gathering to start the war prior to the Summer Solstice while their strengths are maximized.

The Winter Queen would prefer that this war never occurs. Harry is charged with preventing the war by finding the true perpetrator. The Summer Queen will provide her own emissary to work with him.

In this story, Dresden goes to the White Council conference in an old plaid bathrobe. He claims that Mister -- his cat -- had used his good robe as a litter box (which was probably true) but no one inquired why he hadn't stored the robe in a more secure place. Maybe his attitude toward the Council had a little to do with his careless storage.

Anyway, the Merlin is rather irritated with Harry for starting the war with the Red Court vampires. Others realize that Harry had been lured into a trap and did the only reasonable thing by rescuing the other guests. His old mentor -- Ebenezar McCoy -- advises him on the political maneuvering and Harry survives the Council plots against him. However, Dresden begins to recognize some of the stratagems of the Winter Queen.

Harry enlists Murphy's assistance in retrieving the police reports on the Ronald Reuel case. Yet he is very concerned by the condition of the tough detective. She is having trouble sleeping, suffering from night terrors concerning Kravos and what he did to her. He finally realizes that she needs to face her fears to overcome them and that his protectiveness is not helping.

This story introduces Elaine, whom Harry had thought dead. She is the Summer Queen's emissary, but is closer to Lady Summer, the daughter of the Summer Queen. Harry is happy to know that she survived the fire resulting from his faceoff with his foster father. After she explains her enthrallment by Justin, he feels an unexpected relief that she had not intentionally betrayed him.

This tale has moments of introspection, but is the most action filled story to date. From the first chapter to the last, it involves Harry in situations where his powers are definitely inferior to his opposition. No more blasting away at his enemies; he has to use some subtlety and finesse to accomplish his mission. Somehow, I don't think that this approach will carry over to the next volume.

Highly recommended for Butcher fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of supernatural creatures, Council intrigues, and wizardly manipulations.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Silly Faeries.......2007-08-24

I just finished reading this book and while I do admit to liking the previous one, Grave Peril, a bit more...this one is by no means a stinker. In fact, overall its the best in the series from book 1-4. Harry, the hero and wizard extrodinaire of the story is evolving into a much more realistic character (ok, realistic for a fantasy novel). His naive ways are much less a frustrating factor in this book, and the plots become much more involved. One of the series' main sidekicks, Murphy, is MUCH more real and likeable in this book. There are twists and turns and it keeps you on your toes as the metaphorical stuff hits the fan. The author, Jim Butcher is definitely getting the hang of what he wants from this series and it shows. I'd highly recommend all of these books, and most especially this one, for any fan of the fantasy genre.

Definition of a page turner.......2007-07-25

If you like fantasy, sci fi, mystery, or all of the above, you will get sucked into the Dresden books. Summer Knight is one of the best.

Not my favorite but..........2007-07-17

This book sets in motion events that will change the magical as well as Harry's life for ever

this is not my favorite of the series but it is a necessary link in the chain
esp when you get to the 2 most recent books

as always butcher as a nack for writing what feels like a pulp detective story from the 1940's but set in the modern world (more or less.

Average customer rating:

Awesome book!
a great read!
The Mysterious Benedict Society
A sure winner for middle grade readers, boys and girls
A fine leisure library pick.

The Mysterious Benedict Society
Trenton Lee Stewart
Manufacturer: Little, Brown Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0316057770

Book Description

Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them.Only four children-two boys and two girls-succeed.Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete.To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.But what they'll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than your average school supplies.So, if you're gifted, creative, or happen to know Morse Code, they could probably use your help.

Customer Reviews:

Awesome book!.......2007-10-14

This book is a big time page turner! It's full of adventure and mystery. I read it at the airport and could NOT put it down. Fun for ALL ages. I can't wait for the Mysterious Benedict Society's next adventures. BUY THIS BOOK you won't be disappointed!!

a great read!.......2007-10-13

Interesting read, goes a bit slow at some points, but never wavered in details and no superfluous sections. End is somewhat predictable, but since I'm much older than the probable target reader, the end should still be fun and exciting.

The Mysterious Benedict Society.......2007-10-04

The adventure begins when orphan Reynard Muldoon (Reynie) answers an advertisement in the paper - "ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD LOOKING FOR SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES?"

Answering the ad leads Reynie to a strange building that opens at odd times and is filled with classrooms of children taking bizarre tests. I found myself taking the tests along with him, and although I was utterly confused by the questions, I was extremely relieved when Reynie was able to ace every test.

At the end of the testing, only four children are picked to take the final exam. Reynie, Sticky (George Washington), Kate Wetherall (who would really like to be called The Great Kate Weather Machine) and Constance Contraire master a maze, well let's say they all almost master a maze, and after some soul searching, they each decide to be part of a team that will embark on a dangerous adventure.

This story was wonderful to read. It gave me the same feeling as when I was reading the Harry Potter series. A little bit of science fiction, with a lot of mystery and a very warm and happy ending is my best "short" synopsis. I loved the description of the places and people throughout the story and it was complete with big spooky houses, bridges over troubled waters and creepy laboratories.

I also recommend this book as a gift. Middle school, high school and adults will enjoy this story. I'm sure it will be added to their collection of "read more than once" or "listen to many times" category.

A sure winner for middle grade readers, boys and girls.......2007-09-27

The Mysterious Benedict Society begins when eleven-year-old orphan Reynie Muldoon responds to a newspaper ad that asks: "ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD LOOKING FOR SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES?" The ad leads Reynie to a series of examinations, to which he applies intelligence, ingenuity, and ethics.

Following the exams, Reynie finds himself part of an elite team of children. Children whose mission is nothing less than to save the world. With only a smattering of adult guidance, the children go undercover at a mysterious school, where they find horrors almost beyond comprehension. But they also learn to be resourceful, and to be loyal to one another. They become a sort of surrogate family, and learn that the unique strengths that they each bring to the problem are all necessary for its solution.

The Mysterious Benedict Society is an adventure novel with an old-fashioned feel (clear from the very picture of a mysterious house on the cover). There are Morse code messages, creepy laboratories, and secret tunnels. The school is even set on an island. But it's also a highly entertaining book, aimed squarely at the middle grade set, too, with humor at various levels (from irony to slapstick). Trenton Lee Stewart is very very funny. I flagged some dozen passages, and had a difficult time pruning it down to my favorite two.

Team member Kate, challenging the cliche "know it like the back of your hand":

Kate again, poking fun at her team in witty fashion:

"Aren't we a depressing bunch?" said Kate. "If we continue like this, we'll have to start calling it remorse code." (Codes and Histories)

A leader at the school, informing the children about the somewhat irrational rules:

"You can wear whatever you want, just as long as you have on trousers, shoes, and a shirt. You can bathe as often as you like or not at all, provided you're clean every day in class. You can eat whatever and whenever you want, so long as it's during meal hours in the cafeteria. You're allowed to keep the lights on in your rooms as late as you wish until ten o'clock each night." (Traps and Nonsense)

The four children are clearly drawn, and each arouses the reader's sympathy in a different way. The character of Constance, the smallest and crankiest of the children, is a delight, even as she's clearly annoying to the others. I also loved the brilliant but shy and insecure Sticky (he has a sticky memory). Kate is the epitome of bravery and resourcefulness. And Reynie is everyone's conscience, doing the right thing, and thinking clearly, until the end.

The Mysterious Benedict Society includes small illustrations at the start of each chapter. Carson Ellis's pen-and-ink drawings support, in tone, the old-fashioned feel of the book. But they also add to the book's humor, and capture the distinct personalities of the children.

I would have adored this book when I was 10 or 11. The Mysterious Benedict Society is a sure winner for middle grade readers, boy and girls, especially if they like puzzles, or reading about mystery and adventure. I think it could also be a fun read for their parents, too. Recommended for anyone, ages nine and up.

A slightly longer version of this book review was originally published on my blog, Jen Robinson's Book Page, on September 26, 2007.

A fine leisure library pick........2007-09-07

An ad for 'gifted children seeking special opportunities' invites dozens of children to take a series of mind-bending tests - but the winners, four special children, are to go on a secret mission which proves dangerous and compelling, introducing them to new worlds in THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY. Advanced teen readers will quickly become absorbed in the challenging adventure which holds plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing, making it a fine leisure library pick.

Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House #31)

Average customer rating:

Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House #31)
Action-packed but creepy
Summer of the Sea Serpent
Summer of the Sea Serpent
At it again

Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House #31)
Mary Pope Osborne
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0375827358
Release Date: 2004-03-09

Book Description

Jack and Annie are off on another mythical mission at the request of Merlin the magician. Luckily, they have a young sorcerer, Teddy, to help them. From underwater caves to a Spider Queen, from mystical selkies to a magical sword, this is a Magic Tree House adventure kids won’t want to miss!

Customer Reviews:

Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House #31).......2007-08-29

I am trying to get my son to want to read and this book was very successful at getting him to want to continue reading to see what's going to happen next.

Action-packed but creepy.......2007-06-13

I love the Magic Tree House books, and Summer of the Sea Serpent is a very cool Merlin Mission, but it is very mysterious and creepy. In one part, they went into a cave where the Spider Queen who lives inside it, the drawing looks creepy because the spider has about 13 eyes! And some other parts are mysterious, too. I really appreciate Mary Pope Osborne's great fantasy books, but this not exactly the best nor the worst. If you are a fan of the Magic Tree House series, check it out in the library, but don't buy it. Still, I love Magic Tree House.

Summer of the Sea Serpent.......2007-01-06

You just got to keep up with the kids . If you have the collection the book is great as always. My kids really enjoy them.

Summer of the Sea Serpent.......2006-11-03

Summer of the Sea Serpent
By Mary Pope Osborne

The book I'm reading is called Summer of the Sea Serpent. In the book, Jack and Annie go to Camelot. They meet an old friend, Teddy. He is a boy sorcerer who turned himself into a dog by accident, and Jack and Annie free him. He enjoys going on adventures with Jack and Annie. Teddy respects his magic, but needs some work on his rhyming. He turned Jack and Annie into ravens during last mission by accident, and had the idea to turn them into seals this mission. Do you think Teddy is a good sorcerer?

Brian, 9
Cunniff School
Watertown, MA

At it again.......2006-08-30

Jack and Annie continue in this wonderful series. We read these books, and listen to them on audio tape and cd - acceptable for the whole family without being boring for the grownups

Stage Fright on a Summer Night (Magic Tree House #25)

Average customer rating:

Bravo!Mary Pope Osborne Rocks!
Fright on a Summer Night
MY BOY LOVES READING
There isn't a bad book in the series...both my boys love them
This book was really, really, really good!!

Stage Fright on a Summer Night (Magic Tree House #25)
Mary Pope Osborne
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0375806113
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Amazon.com

Spurred on by another mysterious rhyme from Morgan le Fay, the magical librarian of Camelot, siblings Jack and Annie climb into their magic traveling tree house once again, this time on a journey to Merry Olde England--and Shakespeare's theater. Their quest? To find "a special magic" that will, "without wand, spell, or charm / turn daytime into night." Armed only with their backpacks and a book about 16th-century England, Jack and Annie manage to solve the riddle, save a bear from a cruel fate, and make their stage debut in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Following the wildly successful formula of her Magic Tree House series (Earthquake in the Early Morning, Twister on Tuesday, etc.), Mary Pope Osborne delivers another exciting chapter book for young readers (and read-aloud listeners). Additional information about Shakespeare is included, plus a partial list of the more than 2,000 words and expressions he invented. As always, illustrator Sal Murdocca's appealing black-and-white drawings are well matched to Osborne's story. (Ages 5 to 9) --Emilie Coulter

Book Description

In the latest offering from the Magic Tree House series, Mary Pope Osborne treats readers to an inside look at one of her favorite subjects—the theater. Jack and Annie are whisked back to Elizabethan England where they meet the Bard of Avon himself, William Shakespeare, and luckily for them he is desperate for two small actors for his latest play! A wonderful adventure as well as the perfect introduction to Shakespeare for young readers.

Customer Reviews:

Bravo!Mary Pope Osborne Rocks!.......2007-04-22

This was my first Magic Tree house book and I was really impressed. The story was well-done, and the concept of the tree house time machine reminded me of when I was a kid with a tree house in the woods with books strewn across its floor. In a way, many of us did or do have a tree house time machine to carry us away on wings of imagination, and I guess that's one of the reasons why these books are so popular. Osborne is a skillful writer, and I liked that she was realistic about the medieval culture that the siblings visited while still remaining a children's fantasy. Many young adult books set in medieval times shy away from the fact that civilization smelled horrible in those days and life was lived unhygienically by today's standards. A modern person entering the culture would be shocked by the smell, and most time-travel books ignore this, even the adult ones. But it adds to the suspension of disbelief that in this story, Jack and Annie notice such things.
I also learned things about Shakespeare and his era from this book, even though I've taken classes on the Bard in both highschool and college. Osborne includes facts in an unpatronizing way that really supplements the story. The extra facts listed in the back of the book are a great added bonus, and I'd be willing to bet that most kids read and remember them as well as the story.
I'll be ordering more of these great books next time my kid brings home the old Scholastic form for sure!

J. Lyon Layden
The Other Side of Yore

Fright on a Summer Night.......2007-01-16

Mary Pope Osborne has found a way to make it enjoyable for young people to read. There is a series of her books which will keep the student spell bound for the next chapter book.

MY BOY LOVES READING.......2007-01-07

My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!

There isn't a bad book in the series...both my boys love them.......2007-01-04

I could write the same review for every "Magic Tree House" book. We were introduced to the series when my oldest son was 5, and just starting to read. We got the #1 book (the Dinosaur one) on audio when he was learning to read independently. Then he started to read the book along with the audio. Now, at 7, he is bound and determined to read every book in the series, in order, of course. He just finished this one. The words are fairly simple, so the series is great for kids ready to tackle chapter books - they won't get frustrated by having too many words they cannot sound out. They are all ten chaper books, with a little larger type and good line/paragraph spacing, making it easy for kids to keep their place. They all tell a little slice of history in a very interesting way. Everyone in the family learns something everytime.

This book was really, really, really good!!.......2005-09-03

Stage Fright on a Summer Night happened in England, which is where I live. Jack and Annie got to see Shakespeare, which I like alot. They did one of my favorite shows, which is Midsummer Night's Dream. I really liked this book alot because it was the 15th one I read this summer. Magic Tree House books are great because they teach you about all different places, people and things. They are great adventures!

Average customer rating:

This is what Horror fiction should be...Always
A vivid reminder of a much simpler, more innocent era
Not Bad, But Shoulda Been Shorter
I READ THIS EVERY SUMMER
A Horror Masterpiece

Summer of Night (Aspect Fantasy)
Dan Simmons
Manufacturer: Grand Central Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0446362662

Customer Reviews:

This is what Horror fiction should be...Always.......2007-10-06

I had never heard of Dan Simmons, but I read a synopsis of this novel and thought that it sounded pretty cool. Not only was it cool, but I rank it up there with the best horror fiction that I've ever read, including "IT" and "The Stand" and "The Hellbound Heart" by the two masters of horror Stephen King and Clive Barker. Simmons has crafted a unique tale set in the sixties, not only about an unearthly horror found in a small school building, but also the bonds found between six young boys. Awesome characters, awesome setting, awesome plot, awesome prose. I will continue to read Dan Simmons. Hope you out there check him out as well.

A vivid reminder of a much simpler, more innocent era.......2007-08-15

I was fortunate to speak with Dan & be on panels with him @ several World Horror Conventions over the years. He is fascinating to talk to (as one would expect of a veteran English teacher) as well as to read. "Summer of Night", in addition to being well-written, harkens back to a time in this nation's history (early 60's) when being a pre-adolescent meant enjoying the summer in the company of friends (think of King's "The Body", origin of the film "Stand by Me") with nothing to worry about. In "Summer of Night" this innocent time turns sinister as these young friends are confronted with a vague evil which deepens, growing more dangerous as the novel continues. I strongly recommend it to older "Baby Boomers" as well as those who enjoy well-written, unique and engrossing tales. For those of you who are about to read this, I envy you the experience. Enjoy!

Not Bad, But Shoulda Been Shorter.......2007-06-03

I had high hopes for this novel. I've enjoyed Simmons' work in the past, and this book had a compelling enough premise. But I had problems with the pace. 200 pages go by before much of anything starts to happens, and, even then, the story creeps along rather slowly.

Well written and sufficiently chilling, with likable and three-dimensional characters, Summer of Night is a novel I'd recommend to fans of the genre. As a child of the '50s/'60s, I found the setting of the story evocative of those more innocent times. But I can't quite give it 4 stars- it should have been about 100 pages shorter.

I READ THIS EVERY SUMMER.......2007-05-31

I first read this book about ten years ago after picking it up on a whim. I've always liked horror fiction but had become a bit jaded by the offerings at the time. WELL, this book got me back on track! A gloomy old school ready for the wrecking ball, the beginning of summer vacation for the little kiddies, a group of friends aware of something very bad going down... I love to read this during the summer as it takes me back to my preteen summers (before I had to get a job) when you rode your bikes from dawn to way past dark and hunted for the monster in the woods. Except in this book, they definitely find the monster. Too many horror novels of this kind get a little too silly but definitely not this book. Plus, it gave me a new favorite author to read. After you read this, check out the sequel "A Winter Haunting"

A Horror Masterpiece.......2007-04-06

This book succeeds and delivers on every level that you would expect. It is a coming-of-age tale of friendship, adolescence, and terror. The writing is rich. Some may not enjoy some of the details Simmons adds, but it is necessary for the unfolding of the tale. Once the terror comes, it doesn't relent. I haven't been so scared and enthralled by a piece of fiction. This book is also an incredible nostalgic piece. It conjured up emotions that I seemed to have forgot.

Wizard By Trade, Includes Summer Knight & Death Masks

Average customer rating:

Two good stories, but so very different
Excellent series

Wizard By Trade, Includes Summer Knight & Death Masks

Manufacturer: SFBC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0739465813

Product Description

Fantasy: For Harry Dresden, the only wizard listed in the Chicago phone book, when it rains, it pours. In fact, it pours toads, always a sign something bad is about to happen, But Harry takes such omens in stride, given that his rattletrap VW Bug needs constant upkeep, and his 30 pound guard cat wants regular meals.

Customer Reviews:

Two good stories, but so very different.......2007-09-11

This volume contains two very good but oh-so-different stories that represent Butcher at his finest up to that point. His books get better with every one he publishes.

Summer Knight is the almost light-hearted story about how Dresden gets caught up in a power-struggle between the two faerie courts. The plot is original and off-beat and gives Murphy a much more active role than she's had before in the battle between good and evil. The final battle, surreal as it is, makes you feel like you're there. And, in true Butcher style, you have to break off from reading some very tense passages in order to laugh, either at something Harry has to say or at some insanely clever and amusing new twist.

Death Masks is an altogether darker work, focusing on demons rather than faeries. The end of the world is once more a very real possibility (when is it NOT if Harry Dresden has to get involved) and to make matters worse for Harry, Susan Rodrigez is back on the scene. Let the angst begin! Harry makes some new friends, fights alongside some old ones, and has his life changed forever by when he makes a split-second decision to protect a child.

Butcher keeps getting better, as he proves with every successive novel. Summer Knight and Death Masks show a decided improvement over earlier works (although Death Masks contains what I consider a needless and overly-graphic sex scene that I can't even call a "love scene"). Reading these made me impatient to see what Butcher would have for us next.

Excellent series.......2006-07-12

This is a special edition omnibus of the fourth and fifth books of the Dresden files--available only from the Science Fiction Book Club or second hand.

Magic Tree House Collection Volume 7: Books 25-28: #25 Stage Fright on a Summer Night; #26 Good Morning, Gorillas; #27 Thanksgiving on Thursday; #28 High Tide in Hawaii (Magic Tree House Collection)

Average customer rating:

Love these stories
Higher numbered books are longer
Why only 4 books
Why only 4?

Magic Tree House Collection Volume 7: Books 25-28: #25 Stage Fright on a Summer Night; #26 Good Morning, Gorillas; #27 Thanksgiving on Thursday; #28 High Tide in Hawaii (Magic Tree House Collection)

Manufacturer: Listening Library (Audio)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0739338765
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Book Description

Stage Fright on a Summer Night
The show must go on! That's what Jack and Annie learn when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to Elizabethan England. There they meet William Shakespeare who’s having a hard time with some of the actors in his latest show. Are Jack and Annie ready to make a big entrance? Or will it be curtains for Shakespeare?

Good Morning, Gorillas
Gentle giants or giant monsters? That's the question Jack and Annie have about gorillas when the Magic Tree House sweeps them to the mountains of Africa. There they meet a group of amazing and sometimes frightening gorillas. Will the gorillas be able to teach him some special magic?

Thanksgiving on Thursday
It’s a time for giving thanks when the Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie back to 1621 on the first Thanksgiving Day. The Pilgrims ask them to help get things ready. But Jack and Annie don't know how to do anything the Pilgrim way. Will they ruin the holiday forever? Or will the feast go on?"

High Tide in Hawaii
Catch the wave! That's what Jack and Annie do when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to a Hawaiian island of long ago. They learn how to surf and have a great time - until strange things start happening. Jack and Annie soon discover the cause: A tidal wave is headed their way! Can they help save their new friends in time?

Customer Reviews:

Love these stories.......2007-08-25

My son loves these stories and he learns a little about each destination. The only problem I have with the books is that proper sentence structure is not always used. Did the editors not notice? These books are for beginner readers, so it is confusing to them not to have proper "subject/verb" sentence structure.

Higher numbered books are longer.......2007-07-17

I have the audio CD versions of every story 1-24 and 29-32. I can tell you that the stories 29-32 are much longer than any of the books in the first few sets.

For example, books 17-24 have a total play time of almost exactly 5 hours compared with books 29-32 with a total story time just over 5 hours. So, you get 50% less "books", but the same story reading time.

I am just purchasing this set 25-28 now, and I do not yet know the running time of these stories. But.. you should evaluate the hours of audio enjoyment, not just the number of books when making your comparisons. Perhaps Amazon will add this information to the details, or perhaps I just missed it.

Why only 4 books.......2007-06-01

I agree with the other comment 100%. I am dissapointed at such a blatent marketing ploy to charge more money for less content. Done in the best "bait and switch", new and (not) improved tradition. I'll buy it for the same reason, but it is frustrating.

Why only 4?.......2007-03-23

Why are there only 4 stories on this set for nearly the same price as 8 on the previous three audio CD releases? I'll buy it because my daughter loves them, but I can't say I'm thrilled with paying only $2 less for half the content.

Average customer rating:

Another great book in the Dragonlance set!
Why do Authors do this? '-50 on the puke meter
A Dynamic Duo for many Years!
More Chronicles
I Love This Book!

Dragons of Summer Flame
Margaret Weis , and Tracy Hickman
Manufacturer: Wizards of the Coast
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0786927089
Release Date: 2002-02-01

Book Description

Summer has come to Krynn, a summer unlike any before. The sun bears down on land and sea, searing the world with relentless light and heat. Clouds and rain are nowhere to be found, and even the darkness of night brings little relief from the strange and oppressive day.

Meanwhile, those who commune regularly with their gods are uneasy. Every day, their deities become more distant, more difficult to reach. Clerics' prayers go unanswered, and magic goes awry. As the tension on Ansalon builds, estranged cousins Palin Majere and Steel Brightblade search for an explanation. It soon becomes evident that more than just magic is at stake.

The fate of all Krynn hangs in the balance.

This is a new paperback edition of Dragonlance cocreators Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's first hardcover New York Times bestseller. It is the direct prequel to the current War of Souls trilogy. This edition features a new cover design that ties into the recent rereleases

Customer Reviews:

Another great book in the Dragonlance set!.......2007-02-19

Without going into detail, if you've read the books up to this one, you know about the authors and you're already hooked on the series. It started off a little slow, but I'm just now entering book 4 and its hard to put this book down!

Why do Authors do this? '-50 on the puke meter.......2006-10-18

First, I don't get the nice rating this book gets; I guess I never understood why people enjoyed Back to the Future II and III, and Indiana's TEmple of Doom (see my reviews later)...anyway;
My REAL PET PEEVE on why authors seem to enjoy creating mindless sequels like this.
The plot doesn't make any sense, "honorable knights?" Kitiara and Sturm having a son--my question is, who raised him?--why? It's so cliche and boring. Why was this character created? The idea of having Kit's and Sturm's "ghosts" appear is so laughable and horribly written, I am not sure what the point of it was. I couldn't begin to tell you HOW annoying it was for these two spirits to keep appearing. My question is, if Sturm was really an honorable knight, and as honorable as these authors claimed him to be: would he leave his son or Kit if he KNEW he impregnated Kit? What the HECK? I mean, talk about inconsitency in the 'plot' and chacaracters.

Palin--the worst hero ever created. Boring as ever, and as indecisive as ever. Is Raistlin really his uncle? sheesh. In the short adventures they build him up to be something potentially awesome....then in this "sequel" what they do to him?

Usha: she has golden eyes--they tried NOT to make her Raistlin's kid. Were they avoiding the incest issue? I mean, come on, a lot of "great" fantasy authors do it today--Martin, Goodkind, what's the difference with another bunch?

I had a lot of respect for Weis and Hickman up to this book. It seemed to me they tried so hard to "wrap" up their previous excellent books, when they didn't need to. Why did they have to 'disavow' the daughter of Raistlin? I loved the mystery of it whether she was is or not.

Why did they have to bring Raistlin back? This ruined the legend of this character.
Or kill off Tanis? Or Tas?
I think they must have heard their fans clamoring for more of the old favorite characters; and decided to unleash an awful book like this.

I also dislike how every world when the Fourth Age comes, there's no gods, no magic...boring, and cliche.

Ugh. Or did Weis and Hickman want to continue to reap the benefits of readers who are too eager for my 'Lance books?
not even worth two cents, in my book.

The battle scenes were horribly done, the "plot" is pyrite at best,
the "NEW GENERATION" as someone pointed out is overdone like a over grilled steak.
I threw this book down so many times, I actually did what I never thought I'd do to a book once I finished--I tossed it into the trash compactor.

-50 on the puke meter. DON't waste time, energy or money on this trash. TRUST ME. I only bought this because I was incredibly bored of fantasy authors and the genre itself.

A Dynamic Duo for many Years!.......2006-06-11

This fantastic writing duo has continously given readers awesome fantasy epics for awhile now. Even though I personally believe their first 2 trilogys are the best, they have still come out and given solid fantasy epics with each teaming up they do.

If you like rich fantasy-based worlds, full of fun and interesting characters, then these two writers deliever the goods.

More Chronicles.......2005-09-11

This book is the 4th in the chronicles series. For those wanting to read the Weis/Hickman in chron. order it would be the first chronicle trilogy, legends trilogy, the second generation book, this book, which then leads into the War of Souls. I enjoyed the story and the Weis/Hickman writing always makes me want to read into the night. The books does have its flaws, and doesn't rate as high as the original chronicles and legends, but it is a good read and a worthy addition to the Dragonlance saga.

I Love This Book!.......2005-09-05

I truly loved this book, it is my favorite of all the Dragonlance series (I am not sure why), although I wished that this book would be a bit longer, I'd say it's the best book I have read so far. The storyline and plot is excellent, and it is like a gate from the Dragonlance Chronicles, to the War of Souls, yet in order to get an understanding of this book, you should read "The Second Generation" either before or after you read this book.

Joy The Summer Vacation Fairy (Rainbow Magic)

Average customer rating:

Great Fairy book
Joy, he Summer Vacation Fairy
Oh Joy, a new Rainbow Magic book
same book as Summer the Holiday Fairy

Joy The Summer Vacation Fairy (Rainbow Magic)
Daisy Meadows
Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0439934427

Book Description

Rainspell Island is the perfect place for a vacation. And Joy the Summer Vacation Fairy is the one who keeps it that way! But when Jack Frost steals three magical shells from the beaches, Joy starts to lose her sparkle.

Can Rachel and Kirsty help her bring the magic back to Rainspell Island? Three times the fairy fun in one book!

Customer Reviews:

Great Fairy book.......2007-09-25

My daughter liked this as much as all the other Rainbow Magic Fairy books. It was a little thicker and more substantial of a read for her.

Joy, he Summer Vacation Fairy.......2007-07-03

This book was a great transition to Chapter Books for my daughter entering first grade. She loves the Junie B. Jones books, but as a parent, I did not like the language or the antics of Junie B. It was refreshing to read a light-hearted book full of age appropriate adventure and mystery.

Oh Joy, a new Rainbow Magic book.......2007-06-30

Warning to parents: the whole Rainbow Magic premise grows thin after awhile, certainly if you've read the 7 color fairy books, the 7 weather fairy books, and now Joy the Summer Vacation Fairy. It's a familar Rainbow Magic plot; Jack Frost has stolen three magic shells; two human girls who are friends with the fairies have to help Joy get them back so their favorite summer vacation place gets its magic back. Instead of a series of 7 related books though this is one long "super book", subdivided into three short stories. All about Joy though. If you've read the other Rainbow Magic books this will make sense.

Bottom line, cute books for the 6-10 age range. Girls just getting into chapter books will love them and more proficient readers will enjoy them as well. They are fluffy stuff. Rather boring to parents, but we aren't the target audience. Light action, adventure, fantasy for kids. My daughters just love it.

same book as Summer the Holiday Fairy.......2007-05-04

These are great books for little girls, but I thought people should know that this is the exact same book as Summer the Holiday fairy. They use "Americanized" English in this book, but everything else is exactly the same. I thought I would let people know, so you won't buy this book if you already have the other one as I did. The publishers should have left the fairy's name the same, because this is a bit misleading if you ask me.

Warriors #1: Into the Wild (summer reading) (Warriors)

Average customer rating:

A brilliant begining!
A very Good start to a very good series
Start of a series that will last you years.
Predictable, but Fun
Pick it up and you can't put it down. You will love it. By a cat freak.

Warriors #1: Into the Wild (summer reading) (Warriors)
Erin Hunter
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0061284203
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Book Description

For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by their warrior ancestors. But the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger, and the sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying—and some deaths are more mysterious than others.

In the midst of this turmoil appears an ordinary house cat named Rusty . . . who may turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.

Customer Reviews:

A brilliant begining!.......2007-10-10

This is an excellent begining to my absolute favorite series in the world. When I first got this book it was because I kept seeing ads for it, so I decided to get it just to keep the ads happy. I fell in love with the book, and back then I didn't know about its sequels. A couple years later I got the next five books in the series. I read them all. Now I own every book and have read the first series 3 or 4 times, the second series twice, and I am eagerly anticipating the next books to come. For people wondering "Hmmm... Should I buy this?" GET IT! It is a wonderful series and I encourage people to buy it. I won't summarize the book because I wouldn't be able to do it any credit. Besides plenty of other people have written descriptions of it. All I can say is that this book is worth the money, and that this is a book that I will cherish forever. I love this series!

P.S. - I know it says "A kid's review". Please don't pay attention to that, I'm not some 5-year old that thinks kitties are cute. And I don't think that many "kid's review" people are, so don't shoot this review down, just because of that title. I enjoy the books for what they are, not because their names are adorable and I want to hug them all because they're fluffy wittle kittens. (I would like to hug them though, and the names ROCK! They'd bite me for it though, oh well...)

A very Good start to a very good series.......2007-10-01

Any cat lover or animal lover should read this series! My favorite thing to do after school is to sit on my bed, my cat curled up next to me, and read a warriors book. This book is a great start, explaining everything and getting you set up for the rest of the series. I am currently reading the new prophecy book #2, Moonrise. If you are just starting the series, here's something you should know: you have to read the books in order! And DON'T read the backs or the character lists of books ahead of you! I made the mistake of looking at the character list of the new prophecy book #4 (Starlight?) when I was reading book #4 of the regular Series, Rising Storm, and saw something that you will find out in the 6th book, Darkest Hour. This is a very good start to a very good series!

Start of a series that will last you years........2007-08-31

This book takes the view of a cat, Rusty, as he is accepted into ThunderClan, a group of warrior cats. Two villans, one on the outside, one traitor in the clan. Suspenseful, shocking, and action are all over this book. Not only does it end with Firepaw (formerly Rusty, now a warrior apprentice) becoming a full warrior, it leaves you hanging with the dangerous deputy, Tigerclaw, watching intendly on young Fireheart and the evil Brokenstar banished, but plotting. It leaves you itching for the future books, and starts a series that will make you read nonstop.

Predictable, but Fun.......2007-08-28

If you picked up this book and read the summary and are expecting animals with magical powers, then look away. While `Warriors' are about wild cats living in clans, the names of the clans do not mean cats are water masters or wind mages. They are wild cats who live in clans, and that's about it. Nothing much special.

Rusty, a typical house pet, or `Kittypet', dreams about hunting and eating mice (a la Tag from `The Wild Road', etc), while Smudge, his cat friend, will eventually be neutered and spend his time lazing around (a common neuter myth). Rusty eventually walks into one of the Clan's Territory, Thunderclan, and runs into Graypaw. Soon enough, the two become friends and Rusty is sent to the leader of Thunderclan, Bluestar, who admits Rusty into the group due to the fact that the clan needed more warriors, and Rusty is now Firepaw. Him being at a clan with cats who despise Kittypets, Firepaw meets many challenges, especially when something sinister lurks in ambitious Tigerclaw. And the obvious-dark-clan-of-the-forest Shadowclan.

This book, while very, very predictable (no joke, a child will have this book figured out), was very interesting to read, and actually grips you to the end, even though Firepaw was a sugary sweet hero who seems to know what is going on while the others don't. Flaws, while small, affect the series as a whole. For one,

(-) Bluestar needs more warriors for her clan, yet is fine with the fact that only one cat joined her clan. Why not send scouts to recruit more Kittypets?

(-) The `Fire alone can save our clan' bit is obvious. We all know what this is referring to.

(-) The obvious characters who will nonetheless be bad (Longtail's dark pelt, Tigerclaw's dark pelt, Darkstripe's dark pelt and dark name; not to mention Shadowclan).

(-) The big one: inbreeding. If the clans were really big, that would be understandable, but these are wild cats...well, wild cats with human qualities and no, no wild cat will bunch up in a group like this, but this is a book. Even so, I notice that if you have such a little group of cats together like this, it won't be long until there would be some inbreeding going on, so isn't it kinda obvious that you need cats from different clans, and Kittypets, too, to prevent something like this happening?

These flaws aside, I'm sure `Warriors' will suit your needs, even though it's a predictable book. I liked it, nonetheless.

Pick it up and you can't put it down. You will love it. By a cat freak........2007-08-23

I won't say anything about the story (there are enough reviews already) except that it's about a kittypet (house cat) named Rusty that feels attracted to the wild forest. He eventually joins ThunderClan, one of 4 Clans, and becomes the apprentice Firepaw. Each book has its own great plot, and one big mystery that continues to fold out throughout the whole series. It's full of suspense, intrigue, mystery, action, friendship, grief, happiness, death, excitement (about... um... A LOT)... and of course cats! Each new book is better than the last. I have all of them except the New Prophecy (a runner-up series) #6 Sunset and the Power of Three (3rd runner-up) The Sight. Read them all. You'll be hooked. Then, after reading Warriors and at least some of The New Prophecy get Warriors Field Guide (contains spoilers!) and when you've finished Dawn (TNP #3) read the manga (The Lost Warrior). You'll become a HUGE fan. Oh, and a warning: if you buy a set or something with the first four, DO NOT, by any circumstances, read the fourth one without having the fifth one close by (I won't say why). MAKE SURE you have it ready. Oh and yes, I feel horrible that there's only 5 stars. This one should have, like, a bazillion. BUY ALL OF THEM! Warriors 4ever!

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