The Imagination Station, Series Review (Bks 1-6) & Giveaway

Stocking Stuffer

Alert!

 
The Imagination Station, Bks 1-6
by Marianne Hering & Paul McCusker
Published by Tyndale Publishing
Age 7-11, 96 pages each
$4.99 each book on Amazon.com

Join cousins Patrick and Beth in the Imagination Station and travel through history. Sail with Viking explorers! Meet a Roman emperor! The key to adventure lies within your imagination. (for ages 7 and up)

This fun series of books for kids 7-11 takes your kids on the adventure of a lifetime. This new series combines a mystery, a quest and many great historical events (so your kid's will learn something too) into a fast paced, fun series that your kids will love.

A mini review of all 6 books (or My Thoughts):
While visiting Whit's Soda Shoppe, the cousins find a mysterious, old letter in Imagination Station asking for a Viking sunstone; if the sunstone isn't found then someone named Albert will be imprisoned.

I wasn't to sure what to think of this series since it was a chapter book series for early readers. Children who are somewhat comfortable with reading on their own shouldn't have any trouble reading and understanding the books. The illustrations and imagery in the book are eye catching and very well rendered. This series is also a great Read-Aloud series for the family. The books are full of discussion topics and you'll find questions, puzzles and more in the books and online @ TheImaginationStation.com . I'm going to break each book down with a basic description of what they're about:

Bk 1: Voyage with the Vikings
The first book opens with cousins Beth and Patrick traveling back in time to Greenland circa 1000 to find a Viking sunstone! Beth and Patrick meet the Vikings Erik the Red and Leif Eriksson, and locate the sunstone.but when they return to the Soda Shoppe another note is waiting for them requesting a silver goblet.

Bk 2: Attack at the Arena
Patrick and Beth learn that Mr. Whittaker’s fancy ring can be seen inside the Imagination Station but not outside of the machine. A mysterious letter leads the cousins to fifth-century Rome in search of a special cup that belongs to a monk. If found, the cup could keep the mysterious Albert out of prison.

At the Roman Colosseum, Emperor Honorius is hosting a gladiator battle in celebration of a war victory. Beth attends the event as the emperor’s slave; Patrick attends as a monk’s apprentice but is taken prisoner and sent to fight in the arena.

During their adventure, the cousins meet Telemachus (a true historical figure), a monk who believes that fighting is wrong. Telemachus is willing to risk everything—even his life—to stop the killing. When the cousins return with the cup, they find that a third letter has been sent with more information about Albert’s fate.
 
Bk 3: Peril in the Palace
The place? - China in 1271. The quest? - the golden tablet of Kublai Khan. The problem? - just about everything!

Patrick and Beth are kidnapped by Mongol warriors. Only the friendship of fellow traveler Marco Polo saves them from harm. They are brought to the Mongol palace where the Kublai Khan dislikes both their gifts and their message about Christianity. The tension grows when the Mongol magicians challenge the cousins to a spiritual power showdown. As war breaks out, Beth and Patrick are locked in a secret room to prevent their escape.

How do the cousins get the golden tablet they needs to save Mr. Whittaker's friend Albert? How do they escape the city and find the Imagination Station? Brave the perilous palace and find out!



Bk 4: Revenge of the Red Knight
Patrick and Beth find themselves as guests in a beautiful castle in 15th century England. Through a series of events, the steward of Lord Darkthorn's castle finds the cousins with three artifacts collected in their previous adventures: the stone, the cup, and the golden tablet. They are accused of being thieves and locked in jail. Beth escapes and discovers the identity of the real thief, leading to a jousting contest with a surprising outcome.
Set during the War of the Roses in England, Revenge of the Red Knight will teach readers about the Crusades, the integrity of knights and the vows they took, and why men would choose to risk their lives to fight for Christianity.

Bk 5: Showdown with the Shepherd
Patrick and Beth go to the Holy Land in the 10th century B.C., where their goal is to get back the ring Hugh stole and return it to him in 1450s England where he belongs. But troubles await them as soon as they step out of the Imagination Station-first they meet an angry bear and then later they meet an angry giant! Join the cousins as they learn that having a giant faith is more important than having a giant on your side.

  and finally, (So far, I think this one is my favorite):

Bk 6: Problems in Plymouth

Patrick and Beth's next adventure leads them to Plymouth Plantation in 1621, where they meet William Bradford, Miles Standish, and Chief Massasoit, who are trying to establish peace between the Pilgrims and the Indians. Things are anything but peaceful though when a musket is stolen and the Pilgrims conclude that the Indians are planning war. Only Patrick and Beth know who the real thief is-the traitor Hugh-and it's up to them to find him and stop him from causing trouble. When the cousins hear a gunshot during the first Thanksgiving feast, their worst fears are realized. They rush to the Mayflower and try to set right history, even as Hugh desperately tries to change it.

It looks like there will be a NEW TITLE coming January 1, 2012!

Secret of the Prince's Tomb

Pre-Order: $4.99

My thoughts:

This fun series is very fast, action packed and I was very impressed with the way each historical figure was introduced and how what and who they are impacted history. Emperor Honorius was as important in the beginning history of the spread of Christianity as was Eric the Red and Leif Errickson. Your kid's will learn about the Crusades, what integrity is and what it means to take a vow to do something. You'll notice similarities to several different bible stories, such as David & Goliath, as you read with your children. 

Adventures in Odyssey Imagination Station #2: Attack at the Arena

I think the story that touched me the most, enough to do a little research on my own was that of the monk Telamachus who was willing to risk his own life to stop the Roman arena fighting. 

There is a great section on his life on TheImaginationStation.com called Roaming in the Romans that explains what life was like in the Roman Empire along with a great explanation of who Telamachus was and how he made a difference in the world and in Christianity. You'll find neat pictures, discussion questions for you and your kids that help the kids with reading comprehension. 

I'm sure your family will enjoy The Imagination Station Series as much as I have. Each book is interesting, full of true historical characters, highly researched and the writing is designed to draw your children into the story. Personally I would of liked to see more activities for families added to the website. It seems like there is quite a bit to do in the first two books but not much other than "The Secret Word" puzzle on the others. Still tho - the books are wonderful and a great introduction to historical fiction for younger/beginning readers.

To Purchase:
You can purchase each book separately on Amazon for $4.99 or you can purchase the first 3 books for $14.97 - and of course Amazon usually offers FREE Shipping with $25 orders so make sure to see if that option is available! (Which is a PLUS for me!) Click here to order



It's a Giveaway!
Tyndale is offering 1 FULL set of 6 books to one of my readers (US and Canada!). They would make a great birthday gift or Christmas Stocking Stuffer for any kid or family that enjoys reading together.