PHEW! I have had a BUSY couple of days! Sorry my Wednesday post is so late – but better late than never!
First I want to report on the K’nex challenge that my teammates (Jacob, Heidi, and Aubree) and I competed in on Monday. The challenge was to build a motorized “people mover” and have it run through an obstacle. We chose to build a tractor – BEHOLD THE AWESOMENESS!
The tractor ran over a rocky road and a hayfield. I think we did very well but sadly we didn’t get first or second place to advance to the state finals (I think we did get in the top 10). We sure did have fun though and next year we’ll be even better!
Now onto today’s review!
The Stolen Kingdom
by Ross Rosenfeld
378 pages – ages 12+
Published by Fun Books on April 10, 2012
It is a time of mystique, deceit, theft and arugula (yes I typed arugula and you’ll have to read the book to find out, because I’m not telling you). The Dark Duke has wrongfully taken Taylor James’ place as king of Belsden after he thought he got rid of him. Taylor James has been raised in a nearby country, unaware that he is the true king. When he comes of age, he and his friend, Robert of Roth, join the local army. Soon, they are called upon to fight the army of the Dark Duke, who is trying to take over the world!
I enjoyed this story. I liked the Lemony Snicket snarky narration and feel to the story. Fantasy and adventure is one of my favorite genres and this story did not disappoint in the adventure department. The Amazon description of the book says it is a YA book and the length and reading difficulty of the book puts it more to the YA category. I was just talking to Anne McKernan (from The Itsy Bitsy Mom blog) about “cross-over” books. Books written on a YA reading level but the story is better for high MG readers – I think this book fits that category (despite the handful of curse words in it – some he** and da**). Taylor James is a great character and one that I really enjoyed reading about. The adventure in the story kept me turning the pages.
I give “The Stolen Kingdom” five out of five bookworms!
You can grab a kindle version of the book for free right now (click HERE).
Visit the official Stolen Kingdom website HERE.
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Categories: Age 12+
Arugula? I have that word in a story I’m revising today, but there seems not to be as much adventure in mine! Glad your team had fun, and that you have the attitude to do better next time!
I can see your arugula drawing in my head! 😉 Thanks Mrs. Rozo! 😀
🙂
Top ten is a good finish. Maybe next year, you can make a doggie mover.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Great idea Cupcake! 😀
Your tractor looks awesome! Those Knex pieces can be a pain getting them together. I am impressed. I also like your book review, but the Knex pictures are terrific. I cannot imagine what arugula has to do with fighting for a kingdom, but I’ll just read the book. Fascinating.
You’ll have to read the book to find out Marvelous Ms. Morris! I’m glad you like our tractor. We had a lot of fun doing the challenge!
Love the picture on the book cover, and if it’s snarky like Lemony Snicket it must be a great read! 🙂 Your tractor is a thing of beauty and awesomeness! I’m sorry you didn’t make it to the state finals, but it’s still super cool!
Thanks Ms. Hill! I thought our tractor rocked. 🙂 I really liked the voice in this book. 🙂
Cool tractor! I have this book on my Kindle but have not had time to give it more than a glance. One more book to write before summer break. 🙂
WRITE WRITE WRITE. 😛 You should give it a try when you have time. 🙂
You did a great job with the tractor. Good luck next year! The book sounds awesome as well. You got me at arugula.
Thanks Ms. Foster! Yes the arugula was something I wasn’t expecting either. 🙂
I needed a tractor last week. Shame you couldn’t have lent me yours! Great stuff! And the book looks good too!
Anytime you need a tractor, I will drive it to England for you! 🙂 (NOTE TO SELF – fit tractor with flotation device)
That is one fine tractor y’all made!! Those judges must just be all city folk. The book looks pretty fine as well. Thanks for sharing!
That’s what I think! They didn’t understand the awesomeness of it! I’m glad you do Rhythm! The book is a very good read! 🙂
Love the photograph of your tractor and your team! You are one tall boy, I’m such a pixie in comparison. The Stolen Kingdom sounds interesting. While I do love my dose of fantasy, I find that it’s good to mix it up a little bit with some light contemporary realistic fiction reading just to ground me somewhat. 🙂
The only main “Fantasy” in this book is the monster/dragon, as seen on the cover. It’s a great story! 😀
Congratulations on your K’nex challenge! What a great people mover. This book sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and the book with us all.
Thank you! 😀 It’s a good book. 🙂