“The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut” series by Laurie Keller
A fun and silly story about a talking doughnut.
Recommended ages: 8 – 10; 10 – 12.
Arnie is a talking and singing doughnut, and he rescues his friend’s bowling ball who had been kidnapped.
Click on the link READ ALL REVIEWS on the right-hand side of this page to see the complete review for this book.
The Toymaker’s Apprentice by Sherri Smith
A very original story about toymakers and clockmakers and a war against talking mice.
Recommended age: 10 – 12; 12 – 14; 14 – 16; 16 – 18; Adult
Stefan is an apprentice toymaker. But his life totally changes when his sort-of uncle comes and takes him on as an apprentice clockmaker. He and his uncle and his uncle’s jailor, Samir, set off to defeat the plans of some nefarious mice in the country of Boldavia. Outwitting mouse spies, befriending talking squirrels, and relying on their toy and clock-making skills, they seek to thwart the grand schemes of a delusional mouse queen and her sons. The story is, apparently, based loosely on the Nutcracker story.
Click on the link READ ALL REVIEWS on the right-hand side of this page to see the complete review for this book.
“Alcatraz” series by Brandon Sanderson
A very fun and humorous adventure series. Our whole family laughed our way through it.
Recommended age: 10 – 12; 12 – 14; 14 – 16
The Evil Librarians control our world, restricting access to truth. Alcatraz is really from the Free Kingdoms where the Evil Librarians have no control. Alcatraz leads the fight against the Evil Librarians using his talents — which can help him or hurt him. He tends to break things (good when it is the enemy’s gun, bad when it is the plane he is flying in). His grandfather’s talent is that he is always late (so that he is often late for bullets which have been fired at him).
Click on the link READ ALL REVIEWS on the right-hand side of this page to see the complete review for this series.