New Books by Flanagan, Delaney, and Haddix for Xmas

Christmas is fast approaching, and the time is getting short for buying those books for your young readers. My favorite authors have new books and a new series that are worth picking up.

First is John Flanagan, author of the Ranger's Apprentice series. The Siege of Macindaw, Book 6, continues the exciting saga of young Ranger Will and Warrior Horace. Not only does the survival of their homeland fall upon these young shoulders, the Renegade Knight Sir Keren has taken someone very dear to Will hostage!

Second is Joseph Delaney, author of The Last Apprentice series. The Clash of the Demons, Book 6, brings back Thomas Ward's mother to ask for Thomas' help to fight one of the most powerful of old witches! However, Thomas will have to choose: his mother or the Spook.

Third is Margaret Peterson Haddix. Her new series Missing has taken off with readers. If you know someone who loved The Shadow Children series, then introduce them to Found and Sent, the first two books.

Radio Interviews of YA Authors

Browsing through some of my regular internet haunts led me to a site called The Author Hour.
Author Matthew Peterson conducts a weekly online radio show where he interviews a wide variety of authors.

On Dec. 10, 2009, the radio show is dedicated to YA Fantasy authors. Favorite author John Flanagan is featured along with James A. Owen (Here There be Dragons, Starchild comics), Frank Beddor (Looking Glass Wars novels), and James Dashner (The 13th Reality series).

If you and your young reader can't make the live broadcast, Peterson archives the interviews on his site.

Great Books for Young Readers

With summer just around the corner, it's time to start thinking of books for summer for those young readers. Here are some excellent choices from the many middle grade novels out there.

Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson Series

These action-packed novels feature the young hero Percy Jackson, half Greek God courtesy of Poseidon, and his friend AnnaBeth, half goddess courtesy of Athena. Together they battle to save the world today from all kinds of threats from the still existing ancient Greek Gods. Mythology has always been a draw for kids of all ages, and Riordan's adventures pull students in immediately with the first chapter of each book. Chapter one in the Thief is titled, "I Accidentally Vaporize my Pre-Algebra Teacher."

• The Lightning Thief
  
• The Sea of Monsters
  
• The Titan's Curse
  
• The Battle Of The Labyrinth
  
• The Demigod Files
  

Joseph Delaney's The Last Apprentice Series

Thomas Ward is twelve years old and the seventh son of a seventh son. As such, it falls to him to become the apprentice to the local Spook who fights evil and evil creatures. In Revenge, he becomes friends with Alice, the youngest of a witch family, and this complicates his learning because the Spook imprisons witches in a pit to keep them from hurting others.

Each book ends with the current journal entries of young Ward.

• Revenge Of The Witch
  
• Curse Of The Bane
  
• Night Of The Soul Stealer
  
• Attack Of The Fiend
  
• Wrath Of The Bloodeye
  
• The Spook's Tale and Other Horrors

John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice Series

Readers meet fifteen-year-old Will who is chosen to be apprenticed to the mysterious Ranger (a modern day spy) in this medieval series. He must learn how to move around the kingdom without being seen, fight for his life only when there is no other choice, and recognize dangers to the kingdom and its people. His enemy from Battle School presents his first challenge. Lots of adventure lurks between the pages.

• The Ruins Of Gorlan
  
• The Burning Bridge
  
• The Icebound Land
  
• The Battle For Skandia
  
• The Sorcerer Of The North
  

All of these series are suitable for readers in the Fifth grade and up (even adults!). They are lively enough for children as young as seven or eight if read aloud.

And don't forget about Guinevere: On The Eve Of Legend due out in April 2009. Further details will be forthcoming.