Greetings, fellow reader guys. This is the Iron Guy and I'm really excited about this interview with the great Ms. Yingling. She's a school librarian in Ohio and one of the best book bloggers I know. I've heard about a lot of great books from her and am always hearing about more at her terrific blog, Ms. Yingling Reads. And, wow, does she ever read! She reviews two or three books almost every day and still runs a school library! How does she do it? Why, one year she read every fiction book in her library!! That's a feat that would make even a MANLY MAN like the Iron Guy quiver in his manly boots. But she has also been a friend to this blog for a very long time, making comments and sharing ideas. I think we may have influenced her because she started a Guy Friday every week in which she recommends books for boys--does that sound familiar? In fact, she has been such a good friend and done so much for guy reading that we once gave her our very highest honor and made her an Honorary Guy. But enough intrduction--let's get into the interview.

That’s why you have the Iron Guy in blogland, making reading cool for boys. What would the boys at your school say to the answer to the first questtion? And why do you think it's cool for boys to read?

Yes, indeed. What are the favorite books of the boys at your school?
 
If you became Queen of the Universe and could tell every librarian everywhere what the 5 best books for boys of all time are, what would you say?

You used to be a Latin teacher. What made you choose to be school librarian? What are the best and hardest parts of it?


The Iron Guy is putting on a few years too (as well as trying to keep from putting on a few pounds), so I'm trying to eat more veggies as well. But I still like GUY food of no nutritional value, like cheeseburgers and pizza. And be proud of your girly answer. We're proud of our MANLINESS--be proud of your GIRLYNESS!!

Well, all kidding aside, we really appreciate your taking time for your hectic schedule and answering all our questions. You are truly one of the coolest librarians I know and I wish you and your boys (and girls) the best. Check out her blog, guys, and be especially sure to read her Guy Fridays! (Same thing for all the grownups who are looking for good books for your boys)

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Here's another one of my Blasts From the Past--in other words, a book that I've reviewed before but still think is terrific. This one is The 2000 Year Old Man Goes to School by Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner. It was funny when it came out in
2005 and it's funny today. And I know because this book has been tested by fire. I took some kids on a road trip and put the disc in the cd player and showed them the book and they laughed themselves silly.

It's based on an old comedy routine by Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner, two of the funniest guys ever to live. The idea is that a 2000-year-old man came to a school so kids could ask the oldest man in the world what life was like way back then. And the answers he gave!!! Wait until you find out why kids hated lunchtime (and what you got for snacks), why homework was HOME work, and the words to the first song. (HINT--it's the title to this post)
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library has plenty of copies of this terrific book and you'll find it in the Read-Along section--that means the books have cd's in them so you can listen as well as read. Listen to the cd but read the book also because there's more material in the book than on the cd. And don't be surprised that this book looks like a picture book because it is!! So don't be embarrassed to get it--REAL MEN enjoy stuff like this because it's HILARIOUS!! And it's a Good Quick Read.

And, as a bonus, he's a clip from an animated 2000 Year Old Man special that aired on TV in the '70's. It talks about why Shakespeare was not a great writer. (and, yes, that part is in the book too)

So don't sit around already--go to the library and check it out!

If you'd like to find more Good Quick Reads, or more books of humor or the original review of this book, click on of the tabs under this post.

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Hello, everyone in the blogoverse! The Iron Guy, that truly MANLY MAN, is always on the lookout for guys who love reading. Imagine how happy he was when he came in contact recently with a whole group of rocking and reading boys in the Read to Achieve club at Eastover Elementary School in Charlotte. They are lead by the terrific Mr. Merritt, who let me come over and talk about this blog. And when I was done, guess what--they handed me a bunch of reviews of their favorite books! Whooppee! The Iron Guy is always thrilled when boys tell me about their favorite reads and let me share them with all the other boys out there. So let me stop talking and let you see what these have guys read and liked.

By far, the very most favorite was Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney. Four of the twelve boys in the club wrote about it:

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Hey, everyone, this is your friendly neighborhood Iron Guy, coming to you with a dual review of Day of Doom by David Baldacci, the last book in the Cahills vs. Vespers series. Our good friend Michael read the book before I did. He and I have slightly different perspectives on it, so let's hear what Michael says first:


Cahills Vs. Vespers, book 6
Day of Doom
by David Baldacci
    This is it, guys! The final battle against the Vespers! As you may remember from the last book, the four friends had just discovered that the Vespers were planning on building Archimedes' doomsday device with which to take over the world. Well, this book is basically answer after answer to every question since Vespers Rising. What does Amy's gear/ring do? What does the Doomsday device do exactly? What's Isabel going to do? Is Pheonix still alive? Will the hostages escape? What will happen to the Wyomings? What does the serum do? Who is Vesper One? And one more thing... four important people will die. Alistair was just the beginning. Who will they be? Every single one of these questions is answered in this epic last book of the second series in The 39 Clues. By the way, unlike a lot of other series finales I've read, this one has an absolute perfect ending.
    But guess what guys? It's not over! A third series called Unstoppable will premiere in fall of this year with the first book being Nowhere to Run by Jude Watson. And, as I always say, don't miss the Steven Spielberg movie series starting in 2014!

Michael Lanier
Pianist, guitarist, banjoist, autoharpist, jaw harpist, Ukeist, Mandolinist


Very good, Michael. Thanks! He's captured the book much better than I could have and he's right--the story is exciting and epic and a fitting conclusion to this terrific series. But I'm not quite as enthusiastic about this one as he is--and I'm not sure why. It was fun, just like all the other 39 Clues books have been, but it just wasn't as grand and glorious a conclusion as I had hoped it would be. Like Into the Gauntlet was. All the other books in this series were terrific but I thought this one was good. Even very good--but not truly and amazingly good, so good that it makes me miss my bus stop, so good that I can't wait for my lunch hour so I can run in and read a few more pages, like the others have been. Maybe it's because I'm a boring old grownup and have read a lot of books and it's harder to impress me. Maybe because I felt a little disappointed when I finally learned the secret behind those mysterious texts from AJT. Maybe because it became obvious to me who would save the day in the end (although I didn't see that coming at first--and neither will you!!) BUT, all that said, this is still a good, fun, thrilling read and you should not miss it!

OK, all you 39 Clues fans out there, let me hear what YOU think. Do you agree more with Michael or me?? And are you excited about the upcoming movie series? I think Michael and I would agree that we can hardly wait!!!

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Hey, all you cool reader guys. Our old friend Michael has sent TWO more of his first-rate book reviews! Michael always finds the most interesting reads and always gives his straight-up thoughts on them. Let's see what he's read lately:

Bone: Quest For the Spark, book 3
by Tom Sniegoski
    Tom, Percival, Lorimar, Abbey, Barclay, Randolf, Stinky, and Smelly are all back one last time for the fateful conclusion! The Nacht is incredibly close to his goal, Tom only has one piece of the Spark left to find, and Lorimar is ready to betray her friends in order to save her people, the First Folk. Plus, Rock Jaw (Master of the Eastern Border) returns! Isn't that guy just a boss? And for long-time Bone fans, the great cat performs an encore of his odd behavior back in Crown of Horns! Plus, this is one fantasy book that is 300 pages of non-stop action! No, I mean literally, someone is always engaged in action during this book. This book is really not just a step up, but like, a whole flight up from the previous Quest books. And although I considered this sequel trilogy just a way to make more money from Bone, it really has turned out so well. I can say with confidence once again that Bone is the best fantasy series I've ever read. Definitely a must-read for any fans of fantasy, supernatural, or action!

The Infinity Ring, book 3
The Trap Door
by Lisa McMann
    The daring trio of Dak, Sera, and Riq are back again in their third book, but fifth adventure. They've landed in America again, but this time they're not in Washington, D.C., but they're in Maryland in 1850. What's stopping them this time? SQ disguised as slave traders disguised as abolitionists! Whew! While the three are in peril nearly the whole book, Riq is in the most danger, being an African-American. He is quickly sold into slavery, and Dak and Sera must help him out while dealing with problems of their own. And where is the Hystorian? This is a pretty decent book. It's slower than the previous two, because those two took place in battlefields, and this one is pre-Civil War, making the action more sparse and not as weapon-filled as one (meaning me) might like. I do think, however, that the author does a very nice job of explaining not only why slavery is wrong, but also why some people of the time thought it was OK, answering the oft-asked question, "How could one person treat another human being that way?" The climax was good, and there's a bit of a surprise ending. To join in the friends' next adventure, set in Japan, with samurai and ninjas, log onto infinityring.com and get in the game! And don't forget book 4, Curse of the Ancients, by Matt de la Pena, coming soon. And one more thing guys: Don't mess with the cards!

Michael Lanier
Pianist, guitarist, banjoist, autoharpist, jaw harpist, Ukeist, Mandolinist


Thanks, Michael! Once again, you've picked a couple of books that sound really good. I have not read any of the Tom Sniegoski Bone series but I really want to now. Keep up the good work! Can't wait to hear from you again.

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Hey, all you reader guys out there. We survived yesterday. You what day I mean--the one devoted to all the stuff that makes MANLY MEN like us shudder in our manly boots. The day devoted to kissing and hugging and romance. In other words, Valentine's Day, the one devoted to looooove!!! 

The MANLY MAN view of romance

So to get the thought of all that stuff out of our minds, let's ask ourselves--what do guys LOVE? And the answer to that is obvious--GRAPHIC NOVELS!! Yes, indeed, graphic novels are great! You've got exciting stories, laughs, heroes punching out villains, and sometimes whole planets blow up! So let me tell you about a few graphic novels that I and a regular contributor to this blog have read and enjoyed lately.

 Star Wars: The Clone Wars--The Colossus of Destiny by Jeremy Barlow; art by the Fillbach Brothers

This was a great story. Jedi Master Mace Windu speeds to the planet Simocadia to stop a Separatist invasion but Yoda appears and tells him it's a mistake. Mace goes anyway and has to face the results of his decision. This one has lots of good Star Wars action, cool artwork and Mace Windu, one of the best Jedi Masters. How could you go wrong?


The Adventures of Daniel Boom aka Loud Boy: Game On!  by D. J. Steinberg; illustrated by Brian Smith


If you like cartoon series with whiz-bang action and goofball humor like Fairly Odd Parents or TUFF Puppy, you'd like this graphic novel series. Loud Boy is one of the five kids who've discovered they have super powers. In this one, Loud Boy and friends are charged by their Uncle Stanley to keep the Flooggget out of the hands of Old Fogey and his evil cohorts. But along the way, Loud get sucked into a video game--literally! Unless he can win the game and get out, every kid on earth will disappear into cyberspace.Can Loud Boy do it? Read and see--and have a really good time as you do!

Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown by Jarret J. Krosoczka

I've been a fan of Lunch Lady, the cafeteria supervisor and crime fighter, for a long time. In this book, Lunch Lady and her sidekick Betty.are working a summer camp--which supposedly has a swamp monster in the lake. It couldn't be true--or could it? Lunch Lady  will have to use all their high-tech school cafeteria crime-fighting equipment to save the camp! I really like these graphic novels--mystery, suspense, and good campy fun. CAMPY fun!!!! I just made a joke! Har, Har Har, Har!!!!!



And to prove that I'm not the only one who enjoys graphic novels, here's a review from our old friend Michael:

Lunch Lady, book 8
Lunch Lady and the Picture Day Peril
by Jarret J. Krosoczka
    Lunch Lady, Betty, Hector, Terrence, and Dee are all back! When a school photographer scams school kids out of thousands of dollars and then runs, it's up to Lunch Lady to find her, or the student council's fund will be ruined. I do think that the scene transitions are a bit jerky, but there's an action scene that I consider the best of the series so far. Plus, does the ending suggest the start of a serial? I guess book 9 will reveal that. But for comic book readers, this is a good one to check out!

And here's one more from Michael:


Mal and Chad, book 3
Belly Flop
by Stephen McCraine
    Comic-book duo Mal and Chad are back for their third and longest adventure yet! When Mal learns that Megan is pushing him away, he wonders how cool he has to be to hang out with her. Also, a talent show is being held at Einstein Elementary, and Mal sees this as an opportunity to show his level of coolness. Plus you can expect plenty of episodes with his inventions. Comedy, romance, sci-fi, inspiration, and action all come into play in this book as well as the other books in this series. As far as graphic novels go, this is one of the best! I was a little bored during the first few chapters because this book focuses more on the romance and inspiration than anything else. The five elements I listed above did not blend together as well as it has in previous books. However, what action there was was very well-done, and this book is definitely worth reading!
Michael Lanier
Pianist, guitarist, banjoist, autoharpist, jaw harpist, Ukeist, Mandolinist


So you see, guys really do LOVE graphic novels! If you'd like to read about more graphic novels, click on the "graphic novels" tab under this post. And what about YOU? How you read a good graphic novel lately? One that you LOVED? Write in and let us know! And remember--these graphic novels are:



Guy Tested--Guy Approved!

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Greetings, all guys everywhere! This is Iron Guy Carl and I'm sorry I've been gone so long. Life has been busy and busier at the library but that's one of those good problems. It shows that people value their libraries and we're glad you do.

The Iron Guy had something truly extraordinary happen while I was so busy, however. Lenore Look, one of my favorite authors, read the December post--the one in which I said that if I could have any book for Christmas, I'd want a complete set of the Alvin Ho books. Well, guess what--that's what she actually sent me!! The Iron Guy is now the proud owner of all four volumes of the adventures of nervous little Alvin Ho. Oh, I am so totally and completely thrilled!!! THANK YOU so much, Lenore Look!! That was extremely generous of you. No wonder we made her an Honorary Guy!

If you'd like to see what I'm so excited about, click on the "Alvin Ho" tab underneath this post and you will see all the reviews of these hilarious books and the audiobook. Better yet, scurry on down to your local library and check one out. If they don't have any, make a giant sign that says, "Get the Alvin Ho Books" and march up and down the street until they do! Well, maybe you don't need to go that far, but find one and read it and you'll see what I mean. And if you have read them (or some of them) write in and let us know what you think.



 Thanks again, Lenore Look!!

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Hey, ho, all you holiday-loving reader guys! Let me ask something--do you look forward to getting books for Christmas? Or is your attitude like this:


Well, I hope your attitude is NOT like this kid's! Let me put another question to you--what book would you WANT to get for Christmas? Good question! So write in and tell us what it would be!! If you had your wish of ANY book in the world, what would you like to see under your tree? And it could be a set of books. For instance, I'd love to get a set of the Alvin Ho books by the great Lenore Look. Or--I'm such a sly dog to make this segue--the complete set of the Brixton Bothers books by the outstanding Mac Barnett. That's because 1) I'm a big fan and 2) I've just read Danger Goes Beserk, the fourth and latest book in the series. Boy, was it ever a terrific read!! Each of the Brixton Brothers books gets better and better. This one has mystery and comedy and action and suspense--just what guys want in their books.

Here's a little background--12-year-old Steve Brixton is obsessed with the Bailey Brothers mysteries, a set of books published in the '50's. So when he stumbles into a mystery and becomes a private detective, he brings everything he learned from the Bailey Brothers to his cases. The only thing is--do these really help when Steve meets real-life bad guys? (BTW, Steve doesn't have a brother--he calls  his agency The Brixton Brothers because it sounds cool)

In this book, Steve opens his own office--only it's in the big doghouse in his backyard. He gets hired by a surfer dude named Danimal to find retrieve a stolen surfboard. The problem? It's been taken by a dangerous surfing gang called the Beserkers. Not only that, there's a group of pirates stealing cargo ships off the coast of Steve's California town. On top of that, someone is stealing the gym shorts out a classmate's locker. Can Steve and his chum Dana solve these mysteries? Can Steve really trail a suspect by walking backwards? And what are the Beserkers really up to? The only way to find out is to read this terrific book! You will certainly enjoy yourself if you do. Mac Barnett is truly becoming a first-class mystery writer. The mysteries become more perplexing, the bad guys become more dangerous, and Steve becomes more heroic with each book. So go out and find it, guys!! Or ask your parents to get these books for you. Or run to the bookstore  if you get Christmas money. Or head to your local library. Just find those Brixton Brothers! (If you want to find out more, click on the "Brixton Brothers" tab under this post)

So, how about it? Are there any Brixton Brothers fans out there? Write in and let us know. Or just write and tell us what books you'd like to get. We'd love to know.

And here's something to make your holidays merry and bright. It's Brian Setzer singing "Jingle Bells."

Have a great holiday and a rockin' new year!

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Greetings of the Season and Ho-Ho-Ho to all you reader guys out there. I know you can hardly contain the excitement of getting ready to be out of school for nearly two weeks!! Plus, add Christmas into the mix, and you all are probably about to burst. Well, our old and faithful friend Michael has gotten into the holiday spirit and is sharing three reviews of books that boys might like:

The Missing, book 5
Caught
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
    Something's wrong with time. It's frozen, and only time travelers can move in it. But how are Jonah and Katherine supposed to know that in frozen time, if four time travelers touch, they'll be sent to a random time period. Or maybe... not so random. This time the missing kid is Lieserl Einstein, daughter of Albert, if you haven't guessed. But this book focuses more on Albert's wife, Mileva. Jonah and Katherine must stay with her to find Lieserl, but being a scientist herself, is she smart enough to figure out the secrets to time travel? Unlike Sabotaged, this book has no action in it at all, which was a little disappointing. On the other hand, if you've ever wanted to pry into the life of Albert Einstein, but never had the attention span for a biography, then you'd probably like this book. And once again, Haddix introduces a new concept of time travel: frozen time in a time hollow. I must say this, though: the surprise at the end of book is worth all the somewhat-boring history facts building up to it. Basically, it's worth the read. Look for the next two titles of the Missing: Risked and Revealed.

Cahills Vs. Vespers, book 5
Trust No One
by Linda Sue Park
    In this book, the Cahills will be betrayed by one of their own. In this book, the Vespers' master plan will be revealed. And in this book, someone will die. The Cahills, Rosenblooms, Starlings, Wizards, Holts, Kabras, and one Tolliver are at it again, either trying to rescue their family from bondage... or escape from it. This book's stolen item is the Voynich: an ancient manuscript that has never been translated. This book will see Dan, Amy, Jake, and Atticus all over the world. Plus, Amy is still mixed up about Evan and Jake. And the team finally takes a guess about who Vesper One is. Now, allow me to say something here: When The 39 Clues first started, it was for fourth graders. As the books progressed, the maturity level of the books kept rising. What started as a man in black showing up here and there is now a full-blown knife and gun show. And for people who have grown up with the series, like me, that's all fine and dandy. But for younger readers, this book in particular may prove to be a little too mature. Aside from the bloodiness and language, there are actually a few jokes about nudity. So if you're 10 or 11 and you're reading this, just be careful. But for 16 and 17-year-olds, like me, this is a great book that you won't want to miss. Look for book 6: Day of Doom by David Baldacci, the last book, coming in March 2013. And always remember: Steven Spielberg directs the 39 Clues movie saga, starting in 2014!

The Infinity Ring, book 2
Divide and Conquer
by Carrie Ryan
    For all of you who read the books but don't play the game: The books start off where the online episode of the game ended, and vice versa. So although book 1 promised a trip to Paris 1792, this book starts in Paris 885, where Vikings are about to attack! Not knowing exactly what the Break is supposed to be, Riq uses his skills to do what he thinks will fix it. But has he really helped, or only made things worse? This whole book is pretty much a war, so it's much more action-packed than book 1. For 11-year-olds though, it may be a little bloody, and there's a scene where a Viking describes torture in great detail, which even made me shudder. All in all though, this book is a great read, and the action scenes are pretty good considering there are no guns. Look for book 3: The Trap Door by Lisa McMann.

Michael Lanier
Pianist, guitarist, banjoist, autoharpist, jaw harpist, Ukeist, Mandolinist

Thanks, Michael!! I've had to be very careful not to read your review of Trust No One because I just checked it out! Take a look at these books, guys, and tell me if you agree with Michael or not. I'll try to write something before Christmas but  you know how the best-laid plans go. So have a great holiday season, Michael and all you reader guys!!

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I've told you before that I'm probably Rick Riordan's # 1 fan in Charlotte and there's a very good reason. It's because he writes fan-tastic books.Actually, now there are TWO more very good reasons and they are THE DEMIGOD DIARIES and THE MARK OF ATHENA, two terrific books!! You want action? You got it! You want suspense that will make your pulse race like a Kentucky Derby horse? It's there. And you want the trademark goofball humor? It's all there!
Take a look:

The Demigod Diaries--There are four stories, written by different demigods in their diaries. Luke Castellan and Thalia get trapped in a decrepit old mansion in Richmond, waiting for a monster to devour them. Percy and Annabeth have to get the cadeuceus, the symbol of Hermes, back from a giant who runs a flea market! Leo Valdez tries to track down his walking mechanical table while dodging the Maneads--the most frightening creatures I've seen yet in a Rick Riordan book. At the end is a story by a guest author--and wait until you find out who it is! All these stories move along and keep you laughing, gasping in suspense and reading, reading, reading. Plus there are cards, puzzles, etc. A true winner! If you haven't already read it, don't waste a minute--go find it at your library or bookstore or get it on your e-reader.

The Mark of Athena--The seven demigods finally set off on their quest to keep Gaea from awakening and destroying the world. Of course, to do so, they must sail across the Atlantic and try to survive what awaits them. If they make it, then they must get past the Pillars of Hercules--and past Hercules himself! If they can do that, then the REAL danger begins in Rome! Annabeth must go on a quest alone to follow the Mark of Athena and recover the Pallas Athena. (what's that? I won't tell you! You gotta find out!) Percy and Jason and Piper must overcome two giants while Leo and Hazel and Frank make an unexpected discovery. Do you think they've faced danger before? Ha! Just wait until you see who Annabeth meets!! Or the underwater trap waiting for Percy, Jason and Piper. And, while this is going on, the demigods from Camp Jupiter are moving across the country to attack Camp Half-Blood. Whew!
If you haven't noticed, there's a lot going on in this book! These are two of the best in the whole Percy Jackson series. There's enough adventure and excitement to satisfy the most enthusiastic or reluctant guy reader. But not only is there action, there's also laugh-out-loud humor. Like when Percy tries to save the quest from half-dolphin monsters by using a can of Diet Coke. Or when they face an evil giant wearing a tutu. And there are very touching scenes as well, like when Hazel finally figures out the connection between her and Leo and Sammy Valdez. And then there's the scene in which Annabeth starts to descend under Rome to find the Pallas Athena. She knows that the chances are coming back alive are extremely slim. She looks up and sees the blue sky framed in the doorway leading underground. She also knows that she can go back up those stairs into the sunshine and be safe. She has a choice to make.What will she do? THAT'S masterful writing, guys!

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It's almost Thanksgiving, the day a lot of guys like to eat insane amounts of turkey and watch FOOTBALL! Of course the Iron Guy does too. (I guess that makes me the Gridiron Guy---ah hahahaha!!!) The season is halfway over and we in Charlotte have groaned all year, watching our beloved and frustrating Panthers lose some games that were going our way. Anyway, here are some good books about the pigskin sport:

How Football Works by Keltie Thomas

Here's one that I've written about before and it's still terrific. Chock-full of useful information, this book is a must-read for the the novice or the long-time fan. You can see my original  review here.here. Go ahead and take a look--not only does it tell you how terrific the book  is, but it lets you see how hopeful we Panthers fans at this time last year. Well, we had Cam Newton tearing up the gridirons in his impressive rookie year, so we had good reason. But this year---Oh, will we ever learn????


Long Arm Quarterback by Matt Christopher

Most reader guys know that the name "Matt Christopher" on a book guarantees a good read. Here's what I said in the original review:

 Long-Arm Quarterback by Matt Christopher. I hope you know about him already. He writes sports books and I haven't read one yet that I didn't like. Cap Wadell is frustrated because his little Texas town is so small that they can't get enough guys together to make a football team. His grandfather Tully remembers when he was in high school and played with six-person teams; in fact, there was a high school league made of six-person teams. Tully suggests that all the small towns in that area get together and make such a league. Cap's friends get excited at the idea and, before long, there's a league going. Tully agrees to coach Cap's team but there's a problem--Cap's friend Jimmy joins the team. That's not so bad, but Jimmy's grandfather Sable comes along to help coach. Sable used to play on Tully's league on a different team and was a good player. Tully won the championship that year and Sable is still mad about it after all these years. Will that old rivalry tear the team apart? Will Sable ever put his anger away and think about the good of the team? I had to read all the way to the end to find out!

NFC South by Michael Teitelbaum

This is a good one if you want some quick facts about the teams in the NFC South Division: the Atlanta Falcons, the Panthers, the New Orleans Saints or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The whole book took me only 15 minutes to read. There a short history of each team (only a page long) plus info on the Home Field, Big Days, Superstars (Then and Now), and Stat Leaders for each team. Interesting reading.

And here's a video to make you laugh. It's based on an old Andy Griffith routine called "What It Was Was Football" about a young hillbilly boy who sees his first football game. It'a about 7 minutes long, so make yourselves comfortable.

If I don't see you before then,  I hope you have a great Thanksgiving.

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Taking a break from all my sports talk, the Iron Guy is pleased to present the latest reviews from our good friend Michael:

Amulet, book 5
Prince of the Elves
by Kazu Kibuishi
    I don't know about you, but after what Max did in The Last Council, I wasn't sure whose side he was on. This book reveals it all. Stonekeepers can use their amulets to travel back into their own memory, and when Trellis the elf prince decides to do so, things take a dangerous turn fast. I can't put much more without spoiling the book, but it's definitely worth reading. There aren't many fantasy series that I like, but this one is one of the few.

N.E.R.D.S., book 4
The Villain Virus
by Michael Buckley
    Something's going around, and it's not your average flu. People globally are suddenly overcome with thoughts of revenge against people who never wronged them, building doomsday devices, and wanting to take over the world to show everyone their supreme power! Sound like someone familiar? Those are just the things that Heathcliff Hodges, aka Agent Choppers, aka Screwball, aka Brainstorm would say. But how could he be infecting the whole world? After the fiasco in The Cheerleaders of Doom, Heathcliff is sleeping under sedation, and he hasn't woken up. But there must be some explanation for the virus that may destroy the world. This is a decline from the books before, and the climax is worse than some of the other action scenes, which aren't great. I must say, though, there are some unbelievably amazing twists at the end. I just hope it doesn't turn out to be a flop ending to the series.

Michael Lanier
Pianist, guitarist, banjoist, autoharpist, jaw harpist, Ukeist 


Wow, I sure hope the same thing! The N.E.R.D.S. series have always gotten good write-ups, especially from you and I'd hate to see them end with a flop. And I must admit that I've never read the Amulet series. What about you reader guys out there? Have YOU read them? Did you like them? Shoot us a review and let us know! And don't forget--you're doing all your fellow reader guys a service when you tell us about terrific books. After all, when you write in, other guys know they're not hearing from some boring old grownup (though the Iron Guy defies ANYONE who calls him boring!), you're hearing from a boy, just like you. That means those books will be--

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Hey, all you swinging dudes in blogland! (Baseball--bats--swinging----heh, heh, heh!!!!! Oh, me, how do I keep coming up with all those knee-slappers??!!??)  I told you I'd write a post soon about baseball fiction and here it is. Actually, this post is a Blast From the Past because I'm  recommending books that have been reviewed before. They were terrific then and they're still terrific now.

These books are about the early days of baseball. I just love reading about that period in the game because the stars were larger-than-life figures. They were more than heroes; they united the country by the great admiration and love people had for them. Baseball truly was the national pastime and everyone followed it. Here are some good reads about those days, with one contemporary story thrown in.

The first one is Bill Penant, Babe Ruth, and Me by Timothy Tocher. You can read the original review here but it's halfway down that page. I'll reprint the relevant part for yout:

It's the 1920 baseball season. Young Hank Cobb spent the last summer working for John McGraw, manager of the New York Giants. After the season, McGraw sent Hank off to Anson Academy so the boy could get an education, but Hank absolutely hates school and doesn't see why he needs to be there. His great dream is to be a ball player; he can learn all he needs on the ballfield. Imagine his joy, then, when McGraw calls him out of school to work for the Giants again. But then imagine his surprise when he finds out his new job will be taking care of Bill Penant, the team mascot. And Bill Penant is a baby wildcat--a real wildcat, totally untamed! But that's not all; he also discovers that he must also "take care" of the Yankees' new player, Babe Ruth, who is rather untamed himself. (The Giants and Yankees shared a ball park back then) Can Hank work for both the Giants and Yankees? And what happens when this baby wildcat grows up? And will Hank ever go back to school or stay in the ballpark all his life? Want to know? Then you have to get this book and find out!

I tell you, if you get this one, you'll enjoy it for sure. It's funny, funny, funny--especially with all the scenes of Hank and the wildcat! But then, just as you think it'll be all fun and games, something serious happens that changes Hank's whole life. He has to face up to his fears and decide his future. Is he a coward? Or does he have what it takes? All guys have to answer that question at some point. Read it and see how Hank gets his answer.

The next one is the contemporary story. It's the terrific book Mudville by Kurtis Scaletta, first reviewed on 3-12-09. Let me reprint some things I wrote about it.

 It's hard to believe that this is Mr. Scaletta's first book because it's so good. The basic idea is that these kids live in a town in which it has rained for 22 years!! Then, one day, it stops!! And it may have something to do with a baseball game 22 years ago, a foster brother, and Native American mysticism. I didn't talk about this book nearly enough when I reviewed it on 3-12-09. The characters act like real kids, the situation, strange as it is, iis totally believable, the story gets a big hold on you, and there's quite a twist at the end. You'll like it a lot!

And here's my interview with Kurtis Scaletta.

Then we have Lucky: Maris, Mantle and My Best Year Ever by Wes Tooke. I really enjoyed this one and here is what I said about it on 6-10-09:

It's 1961 and young Louis May lives with his father, stepmother, and stepbrother in White Plains, a suburb of New York City. Louis loves baseball and has a huge collection of baseball cards. In fact, he has memrozied all the information and statistics on all those cards. Imagine, then, his surprise when he gets to be a batboy for the Yankees! He gets to be friends with his two heroes, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, and watches with anticipation as they try to break Babe Ruth's record for the most home runs in one season. Louis's stepbrother is jealous, however, and seems determine to ruin his life--even attempting a very low trick with Louis's baseball card collection. Will his stepbrother actually win? And do Maris and Mantle get to break the Babe's record? You can find out only by reading this terrific book!

And if you'd like to read my interview with Wes Tooke, click here.

Finally, we have the Sluggers series (some of the books were originally issued as the Barnstormers series) by Phil Bilden and Loren Long. This is still one of my all-time favorites. It would be hard to tell about all of them since there are six in the series but I'll repeat what I wrote about the third book on 4-25-08:

It's about the Payne family; the three kids Griffith, Ruby, Graham and their mom. Where's the father? He didn't come back from the Spanish-American War (the books are set in 1899) The father's friends from the war (they were all in Colonel Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders) formed a baseball team called the Travelin' Nine. They plan to go around the country and play exhibition games in order to raise money for the Payne family, who owes ten thousand dollars! The father left them his baseball, but when the kids put their hands on it, strange things, and I mean really strange things, happen during the games. Could the baseball be magic? And who is this creepy guy called The Chancellor and why does Uncle Owen tell the kids to beware of him? Why does Uncle Owen tell them that they are in very great danger, particularly young Graham? And, whatever they do, don't let the Chancellor know about the ball!!!You got to read these books!!! They'll suck you into the story and make you want to get the next one right away!!

If you want to find out more, click on the "Barnstormers" or "Sluggers" tabs under this post.

OK, guys, the World Series starts this week. Good time to find these books. And be sure to tell us what you think of them. Baseball and book fans are waiting to hear from you!

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---Sports!!!!

Yes, indeed, this is a great time of year because it's the month when the big three of sports converge--football, basketball and baseball. Football has been going on already; in fact, it's one-quarter of the way through the season. We in Charlotte have been watching our beloved Panthers struggle (pleeeaasseee don't get me started on last Sunday's game) but you'll find most of us glued to our sets every time they play. The Charlotte Bobcats start playing this month. OK--if you want to get technical, those are preseason games, but still, it's basketball! And it's hard to believe that, in this month of cool weather and falling leaves, there's still baseball. The World Series will be upon us in about three weeks. Now it seems to me that baseball is always associated with summer and should stop when things turn cold. But, doesn't matter--baseball is still the great iconic American sport. I just love reading about its colorful history and its larger-than-life characters.  Here are a couple of really good books about the early days the official sport of summer.

Ball Park: The Story of America's Baseball Fields
Written and illustrated by Lynn Curlee


You can watch baseball on TV but there's nothing like actually seeing a game in a real ballpark. This fascinating and beautifully-illustrated book gives a history of baseball parks from their very beginning. Find out why each ballpark is unique and why there is no standard way to build them. There's also a lot of interesting things to learn--the history of baseball, when New York was the "capital of baseball," how baseball invented Astroturf, and which pre-WWI ballparks are still around. This is  a very interesting read.


Heroes of Baseball: The Men Who Made It America's Favorite Game by Robert Lipstye

Here's another great book about the history of baseball, full of stories of the giants of the game. And what stories they are! The chapters on Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson Mickey Mantle are terrific in themselves but there's a lot more. Find out why Ty Cobb was one the greatest players ever and why no one liked him,who was A. G. Spalding (and why we still see that name on sports equipment), who was "The Clown Prince of Baseball," which records will never be broken, and what Yogi Berra's real name is! This is one terrific book, guaranteed to keep you turning page after page. If you're a rabid fan or if you've never been to a game, this is one you should NOT pass up! In fact, this book gets--

That's some of the nonfiction about baseball. I'll write a post soon on baseball fiction and then some books on football and basketball. Stay tuned, sports and reading fans!

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Hey everyone, it's Iron Guy Carl, blogging at you from the end of summer. Yes, summer's over. It's always a little tough getting back to the grindstone, but, mercifully, the grownups created something to make  reentry less painful.  And that is the Labor Day weekend!! A big three-day weekend to kick up some fun before settling back into the routine. Some guys like to go to the beach over this weekend, some play or watch sports and some like to hang out. But all the readers of this blog like READING. With that in mind, let me give you a few favorite reads from the past. These will be good for those car trips or the times spent chilling out around the homestead. These books are picked randomly but every one of them is great fun for a Labor Day weekend and all of them are guy-proven great reads. (If you want to find out any more about them, click on the tab under this post--for instance, click on the "Alvin Ho" tab if you want to learn more or read reviews)

Any of the Alvin Ho books

Funny, funny, funny!!! The tales of a second-grader who's afraid of everything. Guaranteed to make you hold your sides--because, if you don't, you'll split them laughing!



The Leviathan trilogy by Scott Westerfeld

Walking war machines vs fabricated animals in an alternative history of World War I. Lots of adventure, action and things that blow up.Great reads!

The 39 Clues series

Most of you probably know about these books, but if not---go get one right away!! They pull you in and won't let go!


 How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell

One of the great guy books of all time that asks the question, "Could you eat 15 worms in 15 days?"



The Brixton Brothers mysteries

Mystery, fun, and excitement as Steve Brixton (he has no brother--he just thinks it sounds cool) unravels criminal plots. Besides, where will you find out that all librarians know 9 forms of martial arts?



All right, guys, go out there and have a great weekend. And be sure to tell us what you read (or listened to, if you love audiobooks) when you get back!

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Hey and how-de-do to all you fans of reading! The Iron Guy has been extremely busy lately. Life at the library gears up for summer and, after the big season hit, I went into hyperdrive.You've probably noticed that I haven't posted any of my own reviews for a while and that's because I've been so busy--which is good because that means so many kids are out there reading! (And I really appreciate reader guys like Michael and Sammer and mphuff who have taken up the slack) But, no matter how busy things getI always make time for a Rick Riordan book. I'm a HUGE fan of his stuff and was very excited when The Serpent's Shadow, the third and final volume of The Kane Chronicles series, fell into my eager hands. I finished it during the summer and enjoyed it. A lot of you have probably already read it, but some of you haven't. If you haven't, then pay attention. If you have, write and tell us how YOU liked it.
In case you don't know what these books are about, here's the lowdown--Carter and Sadie Kane are the son and daughter of a famous Egyptologist, who just also happens to be a powerful magician. Through a series of adventures too complicated to relate briefly, Carter and Sadie find themselves as the only two humans to stop Apophhis, the giant Chaos Serpent from rising from his ancient prison and swallow the sun. In this book, they finally discover a way to banish Apophis, but it's a tremendous risky task--they must find his shadow and cast an execration spell right to his face!
This book has all the Rick Riordan trademarks that we guys love so much--the action, the humor, and the vivid and believable otherworldly settings. This story moves right along, keeps your attention, and makes you laugh often along the way. I enjoyed it but, to tell the complete truth, I didn't feel the incredible suspense that I found in all the other Rick Riordan books. This is not a criticism because I enjoyed this book very much; it's just that I knew somehow that the characters would come out all right, even when the had to go face-to-face with Apophis. Maybe it's because I've read so many RR books that I just knew Carter and Sadie would make it.I didn't get that feeling in, for instance, The Last Olympian. There you really felt that Kronos might actually destroy the world and Percy along with it.But don't let me stop you from reading this book--like all of Rick Riordan's books, this is a good read. Maybe some of you have read it and disagree with me. If so, write in and tell me!
I have one mild criticism, though. I love his humor, but there may have been a little too much here. That sounds weird, I know. I enjoyed the insults and the quick quips all through the book but it seemed that Sadie and Carter were always hurling witty insults at each other, even in the most dangerous moments. it got a bit annoying. BUT--criticizing Rick Riordan is like critiqueing Michael Jordan. Or Babe Ruth. Or the Beatles. Rick Riordan is still one of the giants of guy writing and I cannot wait until The Mark of Athena, the final book in the Heroes of Olympus trilogy. (PS--you can read the first chapter here!)

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Hey all you summer-living, vacation-enjoying, terrific-book-reading guys! Iron Guy Carl here. Summer is a great time of year--lots of fun things to do and time time to read some truly cool books. We have two reader guys who have taken time to tell us about stuff they've read and liked. The first is our old friend Sammer. Let's see what he's read:

I'm here to tell you about Chasing Vermeer. It is a story about two kids who live in Chicago where a Vermeer painting has been stolen so they try to find it where the Government failed. It is a great book and guys out there should read it.

Thanks, Sammer! A lot of guys have written in the past and told us about that book--check out the "Chasing Vermeer" tab under this post and see.

Then another faithful friend, Michael, has sent us a good review of an interesting book:

Bridge of Time
by Lewis Buzbee
    Joan and Lee are best friends in eighth grade. When the last field trip of the year is a tour of ultra-boring Fort Point, the two sneak into the lighthouse and take a nap. They wake up in 1864, with a man named Sam. Sam holds some secrets as to why they're there, what's going on, and who he is. I think the book was pretty average: could've been better, could've been worse. I'm not a fan of Joan and Lee hating their parents, and I also don't like their names: Joan Lee and Lee Jones. A little lazy on the author's part. This book supports the theory that a few people can become unstuck in time, floating around from one time to another, and that they can control it somewhat, until they become restuck in their own time. A bit unrealistic, but legitimate enough. All in all? It's worth reading.


And thank you too, Michael! You have always found good stuff and tell us exactly what you think. Guys appreciate your manly honesty!

I really like the Alex Rider books. I like them because there's a lot of action. There are a lot of cool gadgets. I also like IQ because it's about a bunch of spies that have to stop terrorists.

Thanks to you also, mphuff! We used to hear a lot about the Alex Rider books, but you're the first to tell us about the IQ series. I have to say, with a shame-faced expression, that I've never read any of the books in either series. They sound good, though, and I may have to check out some. And I want to remind you, mphuff, that you can come to the Myers Park library and claim a free book for writing your first review for us. And that goes for all reader guys! So if you've never sent us a review, go ahead and do it now! We LOVE hearing about great reads!

So keep reading and writing and enjoying summer!

(PS--Summer is a great time, but it's also very busy for us library guys. So if you send a review and don't see it posted right away, don't worry--I'll put it up here for as soon as I can)

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Our good friend Michael has given us the lowdown on the last two Shadow Children books by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Did he like them or not? Let's see:

The Shadow Children Sequence, book 6
Among the Enemy
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
    You may remember Matthias, all the way back from Among the Betrayed. Well, he's the main character in this book. After his friends Percy and Alia are hurt and then go missing, Matthias absentmindedly saves the life of a Population Police officer, landing himself a job in the Population Police! But when he discovers that he has friends there, he takes part in a plot to completely ruin the Population Police's plan for destroying third children. This is most definitely the most exciting book in the series. Two shootouts (one in a speeding car), a poisoning, and an explosion! This book is the best one, even though I'm still not a big fan of switching main characters.

The Shadow Children Sequence, book 7
Among the Free
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
    Luke, working undercover for the Population Police, is ordered to shoot an old lady in front of a village. When he drops the gun and runs away, his action is misunderstood as rebellion, and the villagers fight back. This sets off a chain of events that eventually overthrows the Population Police! The country is free! But Luke never suspects that people might hate third children after all, not to mention: how long can a country stand without a government? For an additional problem, Luke has to overcome a kind-of friend, and you're not going to like who it is. I must say, this book is pretty good, if not predictable. It has its boring spots, but overall, it's good for reading. And that wraps up my reviews on the Shadow Children Sequence. A new book review is to come soon!

Michael Lanier
Pianist, guitarist, banjoist, autoharpist, jaw harpist, Ukeist

Thanks, Michael! We always like your honest reviews. Sometimes you have to wait a while before a series gets good. How about you, all you reading fans? Have you read these books? Do you agree with Michael? Or not? Write in and let us know!
Well, I hope you are enjoying the summer and have a great Fourth!!!

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We haven't heard from our old friend Sammer in quite a while and so I was REALLY excited to get a new message from him. Like our other friend Michael, Sammer always tells us about good reads. Let's hear about what Sammer has liked lately:

This is Sammer. I haven't given a report on anything in a long time, but here all of the great books I have read.
1. The Chronicles of Narnia. A seven-book thrill ride. The series kicks off when Digory and Polly sneak into Digory's Uncle office and he gives them rings that send them to a place full of pools that send them places. The second book is the after-story of what happens after Digory and Polly. It is about 4 kids who are sent to stay at a professor's place; their names are Lucy, Edmond, Susan, and peter. Lucy finds a place called Narnia. And that is where the rest of the Adventures begin. Later in the sixth book Eustance comes along.
2.The Mysterious Benedict Society. A great trilogy just waiting to be read by people all over the world about Constance Contraire, Sticky Washington, Kate Weatheral, And Reynie Muldoon--all Names that fit their personalities.
3.The Beyonders. About-to-be trilogy with only two books out right now. It is about two kids from earth who go to a different world where things go wrong and they have to help.
4.The Westing Game. One day sixteen people gather for the reading of Samuel W. Westing's will. The will turns out to be a contest, challenging the heirs to find out who among them is Westing's murderer.
5.The Secret Zoo is about animals that have a secret zoo where they act like humans except for talking. They have animals from Polar bears to extinct Dodo birds.
6.The Candy Shop War is about four kids who are given magic candy, but they get into a bigger problem then they think.
6.Surviving the Applewhites. About a family of different talents who are joined by a teen juvenile deliquint-- will he survive? Will the applewhites survive?
7.Applewhites at Wit's End. The Applewhites are trying to raise money so they open a camp called Eureka! But things go wrong and they go crazy.

Well, that is all I have.

Thanks, Sammer! Yes, I really enjoyed the Narnia books too. I also listened to most of the Mysterious Benedict Society books on cd and thought they were exciting, but I have not read the other books you mentioned, although I've heard other guys talk about how much they like the Beyonders books. So here you go, all you reader guys--here are a bunch of great reads for the summer that have been endorsed by another reader guy like you and not some boring old grownup. This could be fun reading during these hot summer days. Thanks again, Sammer, and let us hear from you soon!

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Our old fiend Michael has come through again.

The Shadow Children Sequence, book 1
Among the Hidden
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
    In an depressing future, the government has only allowed two children to be born. Third children will probably be killed, along with their parents. Luke Garner is one of those kids. He's had to hide for years on his family's farm, and only his four family members know about him. Then one day a new neighborhood is built in the woods, and Luke has to stay inside for the rest of his life. He's never ridden in a car, never watched TV, and never even walked through the corn pasture. Luke is 12. But when he finds that there are more third children and that they're planning a rally, Luke finds an unbelievable adventure and danger waiting for him at every turn. Well, I must say that this review really hypes up the book a lot. It's pretty slow-moving, and there's no mystery or intrigue at all until chapter 9. I kept reading because I thought that there might be some thriller-type stuff, and there is, a little bit. Mostly it's an alternate future book. I will keep reading the series, though, and more book reviews are yet to come! Overall, it's worth reading.

The Shadow Children Sequence, book 2
Among the imposters
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
    After coming out of hiding, Luke Garner is enrolled in Hendricks School for Boys. But there he finds suspicious things about the students and the building itself. Plus, he thinks there might be other third children like him there. But are any if them spies for the Population Police? Well, I must say that this book is an improvement on the last time, but again, not much excitement til chapter 14. But there are twists I never would have expected. If you like realistic fiction with a touch of thriller, than this is more your series. It's kind of like Gordon Korman's On the Run meets Haddix's The Missing. I'm still hoping it picks up on the action as I read more and more. Book 3 to be reviewed soon!

The Shadow Children Sequence, book 3
Among the Betrayed
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
    At the end of Among the Imposters, Jason was arrested. You might also remember that Nina was arrested too, since she was his accomplice. Well, she wasn't. Or, so she tries to tell the Population Police. She claims that Jason betrayed her. But when the Population Police offer her freedom, she can't resist. All she has to do is pretend to be somebody's cellmate, get them to trust her, and then betray them. But later she finds out that her cellmates are 10, 9, and 6 years old. Can she betray such lovable kids? Should she betray anybody at all? And what will happen if she fails? These questions will be answered in the book. As you can see if you just read this review, once again Haddix has everything but excitement in this book. She has intrigue, romance, emotional qualities, inspirational parts, and realistic aspects. But she completely lacks excitement. I don't know if this book is worth the read. Yes, it does have some amazing twists at the end, but it's not at all exciting. Plus, we've been following Luke Garner this whole time, and suddenly a secondary character, a bad guy no less, now becomes the main character. I fail to see how this is Haddix's most popular series. You can read it if you want to, but for a thrill-seeker like me, it was boring until the very end.

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Once again, our good friend Michael has written in to tell us about another great read. Let's hear what he has to tell us:

Stone Rabbit, book 7
Dragon Boogie
by Erik Craddok
    Stone Rabbit, Henri, Andy, Judy, Milton, and Grandpa are back in their newest comic book! When Stone Rabbit, Henri, and Andy play a medieval board game with magic dice, they are transported to the land where the game takes place, where they must defeat the evil Lord of Darkness. All of their friends appear as characters in the game to help them along, and this book introduces a new character who turns out to be the ultimate villain. This book is for fans of Fishhooks, Fairy Odd Parents, Spongebob Squarepants, and other shows like that. This book is written and illustrated in the goofy-style humor that appears on many of today's TV shows for kids. So this book is really like watching TV. I was never really a fan of magic and wizardry, but this book doesn't focus so much on that as it does the humor that can come with magic spells. I think overall that this book is worth the read, but it's not real high on my top books to read list.

Michael Lanier
Pianist, guitarist, banjoist, autoharpist, jaw harpist, Ukeist


Thanks, Michael! A lot of guys like goofy-style humor, so we may have some takers on this one. The library has copies of this book and others in the Stone Rabbit series, so come on in and take a look!
Yep, that cover looks pretty goofy to me. That could be a high recommendation! I think I'll find a copy. How about you reader guys? Have any of YOU read the Stone Rabbit graphic novels? Did you like them? Your fellow reader guys are dying to hear what you think.

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Every once in a while the Iron Guy likes to set conventional wisdom on its ear. (When I say "conventional wisdom," I mean "The way people say it's always done") The conventional wisdom says that boys won't read books with a girl as the main character. Well, I stick out my tongue and say, "Ppphhhhttttt!!" to that. Give a guy an exciting story about a boy or a girl and he'll read it. I've seen guys sitting around the library reading Nancy Drew graphic novels. So there! I've got a book that any guy would enjoy. I read it several years ago (which makes it a Blast from the Past) and it's Island of the Blue Dolphins by the terrific Scott O'Dell. This is a great survival story in the tradition of Hatchet. (see my review of that book here) In this story, a Native American girl named Karana and her little brother get left behind when her tribe has to leave their island, which is a desolate spot off the coast of California. They learn to fend for themselves but then her brother gets killed by a pack of wild dogs. Can she learn to survive on that lonely island? Can she make peace with that pack of dogs or be killed by them too? Is it possible to make it through the winter on her own? Add to this an unforgettable fight with a "devil fish" and you've got one fantastic book that will stay with you long after you finish.So go and check it out. You'll really like it.

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Yes, indeed, guys, our good friend and reviewer par excellence Michael has returned with FOUR great new reviews of good stuff for guys. But first, let me share something really exciting:

You see the Iron Guy beaming with happiness because he has just received his copy of The Serpent's Shadow, the final book in Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles trilogy. I'm Charlotte's # 1 Rick Riordan fan and any new book from him is the cause of much joyous celebration. (What?? Did you say that you're a BIGGER Rick Riordan fan than me??? HA!!! I don't believe you!! If I'm WRONG, then write in and PROVE it!)

But, as I said, we have four reviews from our friend Michael. Let's not waste any more time:


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